Broads Society
We can all be part of the ‘Broads Society’ – anyone who loves the Broads.
The beautiful and diverse Broads National Park offers so much to see and do for everyone.
It’s resilient and adaptable, but also fragile, and needs everyone’s support to safeguard its future for generations to come. The Broads Society is a local charity aiming to do just that, welcoming support from visitors, local people and local businesses.
As one of its projects the Broads Society is creating a network of discovery hubs for visitors, linked by footpaths, cycle routes and waterways. The hubs aim to inspire, inform and initiate adventures, highlighting the best ways to discover the landscape, wildlife and history of the Broads sustainably. The first three hubs opened at Salhouse Broad, Beccles Quay and South Beach Parade, Great Yarmouth. The Salhouse hub includes a stargazing net where you can lie back and discover the dark skies and bright stars over the Broads, thanks to the low levels of light pollution.
The latest hub to open is at Great Yarmouth Railway Station – you can travel sustainably to the Broads, then find more inspiration for your visit, using sustainable travel to get around. Rail travel is closely linked with the early development of the Broads as a holiday destination back in Victorian times. For more about train travel go to Active travel.
Great Yarmouth sits on the edge of Breydon Water, part of the RSPB’s Berney Marshes and Breydon Water nature reserve. The wet grassland, intertidal mud and saltmarsh are ideal places for waterfowl and wading birds to shelter, feed and rest. Thousands of ducks, geese and swans visit throughout the year, with winter especially busy as huge flocks of arrive. Look out for pink-footed geese, wigeons and black-tailed godwits on the water, as well as redshanks, avocets and lapwings feeding in the mud.
Great Yarmouth is also full of historical interest. A circular walk from the station takes in sections of the town wall, thought to be the second most complete medieval wall in the country, with seven largely intact towers. For more places to explore the town’s history go to History and mystery.
And please support the Broads Society and its projects – you’ll be helping to keep the Broads special for everyone.
Charity number 12145276