The rivers and broads

Many people confuse the Norfolk Broads with England's canals. The Norfolk Broad region is a system of 6 rivers, three in the north and three in the south, that all flow out to the sea at Great Yarmouth. Most of the rivers have broads, or shallow lakes. These are large areas that were dug out for peat to burn on fires in the medieval ages, between the 9th & 14th centuries. The area covers 303sq km, with more than 200km of waterways.



The northern rivers tend to be narrow, with trees and water lillies and lots of bird life.


Rivers in the south and the north have bridges with only just enough room to pass through - knowing the tides and the height of your boat are crucial! Some parts of the rivers are very tidal, changing by several feet in height between high and low tides.


The southern rivers have mostly reeds along their edges. We were there over the weekend and saw heaps of fishermen, and they were catching fish, but not large ones.
;-) Ann-a-Gram