Take a look inside St Helen's at Ranworth, built in the 14th century and known as the 'Cathedral of the Broads'. See the beautifully decorated rood screen from the 15th century, and the stunning views from the top of the 100ft high church tower.
Useful links
An Introduction to Norfolk Village Signs.
Churches and chapels within walking distance of Broadland Staithes.
See the Broads
Towns and Villages
The towns and villages in and around the Broads have their own distinctive character, developed over centuries as people worked with the landscape, the local building materials and developed ways of earning a living. You can spot lots of features in many of the Broads’ settlements which have remained relatively unchanged to this day.
See the map at the bottom of the page for information on individual towns and villages.
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Churches
Medieval churches are a feature of the Broads landscape – there are more than 150 in the Broads, many built from flint. In an area without natural deposits of good building stone, flint was the best material for construction. Many of the churches in the Broads have distinctive round towers.
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Boat houses
Timber framed boat houses with reed thatched roofs can often be seen in the Broads either directly on the river or at the end of a short dyke. As tourism has increased many have been built with an upper story where people can stay through the summer.
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Bridges and ferries
Where routes cross, people gather and settle over time. Bridges and ferries can be seen at the heart of many places in the Broads. Since the 17th century Reedham Ferry has formed a crossing between the city of Norwich and Great Yarmouth. A ferry also operates at Horning connecting the village with Woodbastwick.
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Village staithe
For centuries the rivers were the main trade routes in the local transport system. This meant that the town or village quay, called a staithe, became the centre of any community. The word ‘staithe’ comes from the ancient Norse for landing stage.
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Village green
Common land ringed by houses and shops is still a feature of many East Anglian villages in the Broads. Today though, fewer residents take up the right to graze their sheep on the green!
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Village signs
Local stories, myths and legends are celebrated in the hundreds of colourful, sculptured village signs you will see throughout the area.
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Acle
Standing beside a vast marshland area, Acle was once an important trading port.
52.6385023113, 1.5508923231 -
Barton Turf
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Beccles
This historic market town, with fantastic views of the Broads and picturesque countryside, has a character to charm all visitors.
http://www.visit-sunrisecoast.co.uk52.45363164037, 1.58236281349 -
Belaugh
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Blofield
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Bramerton
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Brundall
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Bungay
Charming market town, set beside a loop of the River Waveney. The castle (now in ruins) was constructed by the Bigod Family in 1165. Bungay is a haven for those wanting to explore the more tranquil part of the Southern Broads. The quiet roads, rivers and countryside provide the perfect opportunity to explore by cycling, walking or even canoeing. Primarily built around the remains of the ancient Norman castle, now with its own visitor centre, the local landscape is dominated by the tower of St Mary’s Church.
http://www.visit-sunrisecoast.co.uk52.4552460129, 1.4367367949 -
Burgh Castle & Belton
Burgh Castle near Great Yarmouth is a large village south of Breydon Water which takes its name from the third century Roman fort. A popular location with tourists staying at the nearby holiday parks.
01493 846346
52.59793886187, 1.73103931644 -
Buxton with Lamas
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Cantley
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Catfield
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Chedgrave
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Claxton
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Clippesby
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Coltishall
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Dilham
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Filby
Filby near Great Yarmouth is a pretty village situated on the shores of Filby Broad and Ormesby Little Broad, part of the Trinity Broads. The village can trace its roots back to the Vikings who settled in the area around AD800.
01493 846346
52.66312316455, 1.64386840696 -
Fleggburgh
Fleggburgh to the north west of Great Yarmouth lies between Filby Broad and Lily Broad in glorious Norfolk countryside.
01493 846346
52.66889925752, 1.61447763724 -
Fritton
Fritton is a small village to the south-west of Great Yarmouth surrounded by woodland and marshes. Hotel and holiday park accommodation is available.
01493 846346
52.5433328635, 1.63805931919 -
Geldeston
Geldeston lies on the River Waveney and is known for its historic lock, now the limit of navigation on the Broads.
http://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/visiting/visiting-podcasts.html52.472644, 1.515639 -
Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth is Norfolk's premier seaside resort, modern, upbeat and fun set in a sunny position on the east coast with Norfolk Broads on the one side and stunning wide, sandy beaches on the other.
http://www.great-yarmouth.co.uk01493 846346
52.6036170809, 1.7349499443 -
Hemsby
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Hickling
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Horning
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Horsey
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Horstead with Stanninghall
A village with a ruined water mill set in tranquil river meadows. The mill site has an easy access walk. Other good walks close by and a pub. Coltishall is just over the bridge, with its common and other good options for eating out.
52.726948438, 1.3515698117 -
Irstead
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Loddon
Broadland market town on the River Chet - busy in summer with boating holidaymakers.
52.53304993663, 1.48160394794 -
Lowestoft
Located on the most easterly point of the British Isles, Lowestoft provides an ideal holiday location for all ages.
01502 502205
52.480748535, 1.7373396681 -
Ludham
Lots of thatched cottages and a lovely church. How Hill National Nature Reserve is close by on the River Ant, with boat trips on the Electric Eel and tiny Toad Hole Cottage to visit. There's a bike hire centre at Ludham Bridge. You're also close to the River Thurne here, at Womack Water, where the Norfolk Heritage Fleet of sailing boats is based, plus two sailing wherries, Albion and Maud.
52.70975611744, 1.53507489431 -
Martham
Martham is a large, pretty village nine miles north of Great Yarmouth partly in the Norfolk Broads National Park. One of its boundaries is the upper reaches of the Thurne River - a world famous fishing location.Martham near Great Yarmouth is a large, pretty village just 9 miles north of Great Yarmouth. The village lies partly in the Norfolk Broads National Park and one of its boundaries is the upper reaches of the Thurne River - a world famous fishing location. The centre of Martham has a large village green with Georgian houses, shops, pubs and restaurants.
01493 846346
52.70843440524, 1.63283782376 -
Neatishead
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North Walsham
Settled in Anglo-Saxon times, North Walsham became an important cloth-making centre when Flemish weavers arrived in the 12th C.
52.8202794343, 1.3846590462 -
Norwich
With its ancient buildings and city wall remains - Norwich is the most complete medieval city in Britain.
52.627775061, 1.2909933302 -
Ormesby St. Margaret & Ormesby St Michael
Ormesby St. Margaret and Ormesby St Michael near Great Yarmouth are two beautiful villages set next to each other in the heart of the Trinity Broads.
http://www.great-yarmouth.co.uk01493 846346
52.67645520945, 1.68823384278 -
Oulton Broad
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Poringland
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Potter Heigham
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Ranworth
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Raveningham
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Reedham
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Repps with Bastwick
Repps with Bastwick is a combination of two small villages to the north of Great Yarmouth bordering the River Thurne. Holiday accommodations, regular village events and the round towered church of St Peter attract visitors to this area.
52.6961698695, 1.58074276636 -
Rockland St Mary
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Rollesby
Rollesby to the north west of Great Yarmouth lies between Ormesby and Rollesby Broads, part of the Trinity Broads and is surrounded by woodland and open fields.
01493 846346
52.68528535671, 1.63158019908 -
Salhouse
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St Olaves
St Olaves is a small village with a charming 16th century inn on the bank of the River Waveney, a superb restaurant in the grounds of a 13th century Augustinian priory and a great place for hiring boats to explore the beautiful Broads.
01493 846346
52.53666766321, 1.62371574183 -
Stalham
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Stokesby
Stokesby is a quiet village 9 miles from Great Yarmouth. Situated on the River Bure with a pretty tree lined village green it is an ideal place for a peaceful visit or lunch.
01493 846346
52.63811402974, 1.59874852209 -
Strumpshaw
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Surlingham
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Sutton
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Thrigby
Thrigby near Great Yarmouth is a small village and home to Thrigby Wildlife Gardens and the medieval St. Mary's Church.
01493 846346
52.65334113156, 1.63642808806 -
Thurne
Thurne near Great Yarmouth is a small village and beauty spot to the north west at the confluence of the River Bure and the River Thurne beside the famous white painted Thurne drainage mill. Public Moorings are available.
01493 846346
52.68661235007, 1.55376205563 -
Trowse
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Upton with Fishley
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Winterton-on-Sea
Winterton-on-Sea is a pretty little thatched cottage historic village with a backdrop of majestic white wind turbines inland towards the village of Somerton, and mile after mile of pale sandy beach backed by sand dunes to the west.
01493 846346
52.71802749416, 1.69777256021 -
Woodbastwick
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Worstead
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Wroxham and Hoveton
The adjoining settlements of Wroxham and Hoveton are known as the 'capital of the Broads'.
52.711662662, 1.4081810921
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