Broadland Marshes

The Trinity Broads situated north-west of Great Yarmouth. (© Mike Page)

Near to Brundall church fen in the Yare Valley, Norfolk. (© L Marsden and A Yardy)

Summary

Overall description:

A level, low lying wetland landscape supporting a pastoral land use, associated with notable watercourses, extensive areas of grazing marsh and frequent patches of Carr woodland and reedbed.

Location:

Occurs in east Norfolk.

Physical environment

Landform:

Level, low lying landform associated with deposits of marine alluvium.

Natural / water features:

A network of drains and ditches (known as dykes) feeding into a series of embanked Broadland rivers.

Vegetation and land use

Ecological character:

A landscape with extensive wetland habitats comprising large areas of grazing marsh, with smaller patches of peat fen and carr woodland around the margins. Habitat survival is considerable, with many protected sites.

Primary land use :

A pastoral landscape.

Tree cover:

This is an open landscape with limited tree cover. Trees are mostly restricted to patches of carr woodland around the edges of the area, while lines of pollarded willow are a notable feature along the few roads that cross the Broads.

Cultural pattern

Historic features:

The largest concentration of windmills in the country.

Enclosure pattern:

The enclosure pattern is formed by water filled dykes, which have a mixture of very early sinuous channels derived from natural creeks and planned rectilinear forms, mainly associated with parliamentary enclosures of late 18th/early 19thC.

Settlement pattern:

Traditionally unsettled aside from isolated marsh farm sites and drainage mill complexes along the main watercourses. Farmsteads are dotted around the edge of the marshes and timber chalets line the river to the north of the area.

To be completed at a later date.

Historic development :

Historically this former estuarine landscape, which has now been settled for at least 1000 years, was reclaimed by embankment and drainage from an area of salt industry and sheep grazing into a renowned cattle grazing district.

Perceptions

Tranquility:

Although the waterways can be busy with pleasure boats, within the vast open expanse of the marshes, the richness of wildlife and limited settlement mean that much of the area has a stark, remote, wilderness quality.

Views:

An open, low-lying landscape comprising grazing marshes and water filled dykes.