The key characteristics of the Broads are:

80. The Broads

The key characteristics of the Broads are:

• Predominantly an area of fens and marshes around extensive areas of open water, containing a wet, low-lying complex of flooded former peat workings ('Broads') of various sizes, river channels, reed swamp, fen, carr woodland and drained grazing marsh, with some arable cultivation.

• Settlement is on higher ground, with extensive areas of reedbeds, grazing marsh and some woodland in the floodplain. Tourist villages have no cohesive vernacular character and are very crowded in summer but population is sparse elsewhere.

• Windpumps and isolated farmhouses are the most significant artifacts in the marshes, with boats, birds, cattle, field gates, willow pollards and reed-fringed ditches all important landscape features throughout the area.

• Landscape of contrast and surprise, with rivers and Broads concealed from surrounding areas by carr woodland or extensive views over rivers and marshes. Much of the Broads is remote and isolated, with a limited road system, although footpaths and boat access are extensive.

For further details on this character area and for an introduction to the region, please see the PDF documents in the box at the top right hand side of this page.