Heritage | Enjoy the Broads

Discover

Heritage

The Broads are man-made waterways created by peat digging. The first written evidence of this dates back to the 12th century when much of east Norfolk had been cleared of its woodland for fuel and building materials. For the next 200 years peat digging was a major industry.

Historical records show that the pits gradually began to fill with water, making the peat more difficult to extract. Peat diggings were abandoned by the 14th century. They flooded, and this partly man-made landscape became a wetland, rich in wildlife.

133 old photo of the Norfolk Broads

Man’s influence on the Broads landscape continued as windpower was harnessed to drain the marshes of water and make it suitable for farming. Marshmen and women made their living cutting reed and sedge for thatching. And, in the Victorian era, the rich boating heritage of the Broads led to boating holidays becoming a popular pastime– and they’ve remained so ever since.

The BBC's Andrew Marr explores how the Broads were created in his series "Britain from Above"

Churches Museums Historic houses Historic sites Windmills