The Broads Society

The Broads Society Discover the Broads Society: Championing a Sustainable Future.

Since 1956, we've been the voice of the Broads' community, ensuring leisure, tourism, and local economy flourish alongside the natural beauty of this unique, protected landscape.

The striking drainage mills found along our riverbanks are historic masterpieces of water engineering. Built to pump wat...
17/06/2026

The striking drainage mills found along our riverbanks are historic masterpieces of water engineering.
Built to pump water off low-lying grazing marshes, these timber, brick, and stone landmarks tell the story of generations of local people working to manage and adapt to the changing marshlands.

Preserving these iconic silhouettes against our big skies is vital, as they are a living reminder of our Broadland history.

Which Broads mill is your personal favourite to spot from the water, or the one you always take visitors to see? Let us know in the comments below

📷 Image courtesey of Eileen Joan

Yesterday marked World Swallowtail Day.The British Swallowtail is one of the Broads' most remarkable residents and remai...
15/06/2026

Yesterday marked World Swallowtail Day.

The British Swallowtail is one of the Broads' most remarkable residents and remains one of the few species that immediately tells you where you are. Found nowhere else in the UK, its survival depends on the unique wetland habitats that make the Broads so special.

It is also a reminder that the Broads is far more than a beautiful place to visit. The wildlife, waterways and landscapes people enjoy today rely on long-term care, good environmental management and a shared commitment to protecting what makes this area unique.

That commitment has been at the heart of the Broads Society for the past 70 years.

To mark our Platinum Anniversary, tickets are now on general sale for our Anniversary Sunset Cruise on Sunday 6 September. Aboard the historic Vintage Broadsman, guests will enjoy an evening on the northern rivers with live jazz, a welcome drink and the opportunity to celebrate everything that makes the Broads such a special place.

Full details can be found in the first comment below.

📷 Photo credit: LittleHow CC BY-SA 3.0

The vast, continuous reed beds of the Broads provide the perfect sanctuary for the bittern, offering the deep water and ...
12/06/2026

The vast, continuous reed beds of the Broads provide the perfect sanctuary for the bittern, offering the deep water and dense, undisturbed cover this elusive marshland bird needs to hunt and breed.

Famously known for the deep, booming call made by males during the spring, these beautifully camouflaged birds rely entirely on healthy wetland habitats to thrive. Listening out for their distinctive boom is a magical experience for anyone exploring our local waters.

Have you been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of this master of camouflage on the Broads? We want to see! Post your photos and sightings in the comments below! 👇

📸Image Credit: MPF, CC BY-SA 3.0

Did you know that the wildlife in our quiet Broadland d***s is intimately connected to the depths of the Atlantic Ocean?...
08/06/2026

Did you know that the wildlife in our quiet Broadland d***s is intimately connected to the depths of the Atlantic Ocean?

To mark World Oceans Day, we are highlighting the extraordinary journey of the European Eel—a critically endangered species deeply rooted in our Broadland heritage. Every single eel swimming through the Broads was born thousands of miles away under the floating seaweed of the Sargasso Sea.

After drifting across the ocean as larvae for up to three years, they find sanctuary in our freshwater habitats to mature, before eventually swimming all the way back across the globe to spawn and complete their life cycle.

This incredible migration is a stark reminder that the Broads do not exist in isolation. The water quality across our wetland network directly dictates the survival of migratory marine species.

Protecting our local waters from pollution, wastewater discharge, and run-off is not just a local priority—it is a vital link in safeguarding global marine ecosystems.

📷 Claire Butler

On World Environment Day, we celebrate the vital role the Broads play as a major carbon sink. Our expansive peat fenland...
05/06/2026

On World Environment Day, we celebrate the vital role the Broads play as a major carbon sink.
Our expansive peat fenlands naturally trap and store vast amounts of carbon, making their preservation globally significant.
Protecting these delicate systems ensures this beautiful landscape continues to play its part in combating regional climate impacts.

📷Evelyn Simak / CC BY-SA 2.0 - Footpath skirting Sutton Fen

Tickets are officially NOW ON SALE for our Platinum Anniversary Cruise. To celebrate 70 years of protecting and champion...
03/06/2026

Tickets are officially NOW ON SALE for our Platinum Anniversary Cruise.

To celebrate 70 years of protecting and championing the Broads, we are hosting a special late-afternoon sunset cruise aboard the Vintage Broadsman on Sunday 6th September.

Departing from Wroxham, the evening features live jazz, a welcome drink, and a celebration of our shared Broadland heritage.

We are delighted that this event is proudly sponsored by Broads Tours by Norfolk Broads Direct.

The evening will also feature a luxury anniversary raffle, including a 4-night Premium Boating Holiday Charter in the Broads National Park, generously donated by Norfolk Broads Direct, together with a selection of other specially chosen Norfolk prizes.

Capacity aboard this historic vessel is strictly limited, and because spaces are expected to sell quickly, we recommend booking early to secure your place.

General admission booking is officially open—you can find the direct ticket link in the first comment below.

Who saw The Three Rivers Race this weekend? Following the conclusion of Europe's toughest inland sailing race, congratul...
01/06/2026

Who saw The Three Rivers Race this weekend?
Following the conclusion of Europe's toughest inland sailing race, congratulations go to all the crews who navigated the gruelling 50-mile course.
Negotiating tight clearances under low stone arches with a lowered mast requires incredible skill, stamina, and precise teamwork.

A massive amount of respect is also due to the dedicated volunteers, guardship crews, and organisers whose tireless work behind the scenes makes such an event possible. Safely coordinating over one hundred boats across the Bure, Ant, and Thurne highlights the very best of the boating community.

The Broads thrive when everyone on the water demonstrates this level of seamanship, patience, and mutual respect.

📷 Eileen Joan

The ultimate Broads Friday afternoon tension… Have you ever held your breath, ducked your head, and prayed to the river ...
29/05/2026

The ultimate Broads Friday afternoon tension…
Have you ever held your breath, ducked your head, and prayed to the river gods while clearing a low bridge at high tide!
Navigating our iconic waterways is a fine art—and watching others try is the ultimate local spectator sport.

What is your ultimate "close shave" bridge story? Tell us or drop your favourite river pics in the comments below!

Photo: Andrew Wood / CC BY-SA 2.0

Dogs are part of life on the Broads — on boats, along riverside paths, beside pubs and, quite often, eyeing up the water...
27/05/2026

Dogs are part of life on the Broads — on boats, along riverside paths, beside pubs and, quite often, eyeing up the water with great enthusiasm.

But a new independent review by Matt Shardlow has raised serious concerns about how some flea and tick treatments can reach rivers and wetlands.

The issue is not just dogs swimming. Chemicals can also travel through washing pets, bedding, hands and wastewater — which means this is a wider water-quality concern for the Broads.

Our latest blog looks at what pet owners need to know, why aquatic insects matter, and why protecting the Broads sometimes starts with small choices made at home.

Link to read it is in the first comment ⬇️

📷 Visit the Broads

Talk about military precision! One quiet whistle from the parent, and these cygnets fall into perfect, "von Trapp" style...
27/05/2026

Talk about military precision! One quiet whistle from the parent, and these cygnets fall into perfect, "von Trapp" style formation without a single hint of parental flummox. If only human parenting was this effortless!
It is officially peak brood season on the Broads and the wildlife takes it completely in stride:

The Swans: Effortlessly gliding with their grey cygnets in a perfect, neat line.
The Geese: Forming massive "creches" of up to 30 goslings to share babysitting duties.
The Ducks: Navigating a dozen tiny, hyperactive pom-poms on pure vibes.

Please give all these hard-working families plenty of space to swim and snooze this week!

Over to you:
Have you spotted any fluffy new broods on your adventures? Drop your photos and funny sightings in the comments below!

📸 Claire Butler

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Weavers Way Barn, The Hill
Acle
NR133DW

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