"I really did enjoy my visit to the Broads to make a film for Countryfile. The landscape and wildlife were great but my best memory is racing in the all-girl crew of a traditional Broads yacht at Thurne Mouth. It summed up the Broads experience...
Useful links
The Norfolk Wildlife Trust works for the protection and enhancement of Norfolk's wildlife and wild places
The Suffolk Wildlife Trust looks after more than 50 nature reserves throughout Suffolk
The RSPB is the charity working to secure a healthy environment for birds and all wildlife, helping to create a better world for everyone
How Hill is the Norfolk Broads Study Centre, offering environmental education, conference facilities and short holiday courses for all
Plants and animals
The Broads is full of wildlife of all kinds – the bittern, marsh harrier, otter and Swallowtail butterfly are among the creatures which make their homes here. Whatever time of year you visit there is plenty to enjoy. Click the pictures below to see videos of the mammals, birds, plants, mini-beasts, fish and amphibians.
A good place to start exploring is one of the many nature reserves where expert staff can tell you where to look and what you might spot - have a look at the map below.
Stories of the Broads
See the Broads
The largest British butterfly, only found in the Broads, seen in June and in warm summers a second batch may emerge August- September. Single eggs are laid on milk parsley. Young caterpillars are black and white like a bird dropping. Older ones are green with orange and black stripes.
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Brundall Church Fen
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Carlton Marshes
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How Hill National Nature Reserve
How Hill National Nature Reserve forms a large area of established fen within the River Ant valley, north of Ludham Bridge. It is remarkable for its variety of Broads habitats.
http://www.broads-authority.gov.uk01603 756096
52.71657476556, 1.51206231444 -
Nature Reserve
The Waterside in Rollesby, Great Yarmouth is a great place to observe the wonderful wildlife that visits the Trinity Broads using the boats, the terrace or from the specially designed bird hide.
http://www.thewatersiderollesby.co.uk01493 740531
info@thewatersiderollesby.co.uk
52.68035061811, 1.63938398713 -
NWT Broads Wildlife Centre
A nature trail leading to a floating thatched conservation centre with displays about the history and origin of the Broads, the wealth of Broadland wildlife and how we can protect this fragile wetland world.
http://www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk01603 625540
admin@norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk
52.6780747387, 1.490472732 -
NWT Cockshoot Broad
In summer, water lillies are a beautiful sight on the clear, clean waters of Cockshoot Broad. Walk along the boarded walkway to the bird hide for a close look at the wildlife on the water.
http://www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk01603 625540
admin@norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk
52.6870685912, 1.4659847438 -
NWT Hickling Broad
Hickling Broad is a major stronghold for the swallowtail butterfly and is important for wintering and resident birds.
http://www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk01603 625540
admin@norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk
52.7375261489, 1.5778667914 -
NWT Ranworth Broad
Accessed via a boardwalk through atmospheric woodland and reedbed, NWT's floating Broads Wildlife Centre offers impressive views over the water.
http://www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/ranworth.aspx01603 270479
info@norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk
52.67958698322, 1.48541398089 -
NWT Upton Broad and Marshes
NWT Upton Broad and Marshes is nationally and internationally recognised for its rich collection of wetland habitats and species.
http://www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk01603 625540
edwardp@norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk
52.66868084268, 1.51812922649 -
Oulton Marshes
Oulton Marshes is a beautiful tapestry of habitats and rare species from the once extensive broadland landscape. Free to visit.
http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org01473 890089
52.4813843881, 1.6884815566 -
RSPB Berney Marshes & Breydon Water
Berney Marshes alongside the Breydon Water estuary in Great Yarmouth is a wonderfully unspoilt RSPB nature reserve. Experience the spectacle of the tens of thousands of wintering birds that visit the estuary and surrounding grazing marshes.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/b/berneybreydon/01603 715191
52.5855416493, 1.63668447179 -
RSPB Buckenham Marshes
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RSPB Strumpshaw Fen Nature Reserve
Set in the wild and beautiful Yare Valley, near Norwich, Strumpshaw Fen is a great place to see the wildlife and landscapes of the Norfolk Broads. Nature trails lead you through reedbeds, pools, wildflower meadows and woodlands.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/strumpshawfen01603 715191
52.606684992, 1.4559791577 -
Surlingham Church Marsh
This small nature reserve provides a gentle circular walk around reedbeds, fens and pools.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves01603 715191
52.6086929374, 1.4022116952 -
The Ted Ellis Nature Reserve
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Wildlife Water Trail
A water trail by electric launch through the marshes and fens of How Hill National Nature Reserve with a guide. Includes short walk to a bird hide.
01603 756096
toadholetic@broads-authority.gov.uk
52.7188694293, 1.5100250666 -
Woodbastwick Fen and Marshes
Area of fens and marshes, part of the Bure Valley National Nature Reserve.
52.6961824376, 1.4609634361000001
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