The Norfolk Broads is one of the most beautiful, varied and scientifically important wetland areas in the world. But despite its beauty and importance, The Broads is not a natural landscape.

It was originally believed that The Broads were flooded depressions linked by the rivers - not so. Detailed archaeological investigation has proved that the broads, the rivers and adjacent landscape are all man-made. The Broads themselves are the result of peat-digging for fuel in the medieval period between 1100 and 1400 and the original rivers began to be embanked around 1300 to prevent the surrounding marshland from flooding.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the river courses were altered to aid navigation through the broads for keelboats and wherries, which were the main method of transporting goods around the area.

Throughout The Broads, villages and small towns were formed as centres of trade and industry, with the own 'harbours' - the staithes.

The advent and growth of other transport methods reduced the need to use the waterways as trade routes and ultimately, The Broads has become what we know it to be today - an area of outstanding natural beauty and the perfect place to have a boating holiday.

Arial view of the Norfolk Broads