Rockland St Mary

ROCKLANDST MARY

Discover beautiful Rockland Broad - a hidden wilderness tucked behind the River Yare. Moor in Rockland St Mary village staithe, where there is a pub, nearby children’s play area and Post Office stores in the village centre. You can enjoy a fantastic walk passing a bird hide overlooking Rockland Broad or visit the magical Wheatfen nature reserve.

Rockland Broad is a wonderful place to ‘get away from it all’ with very little boat traffic. It is accessed by a choice of two dykes from the River Yare – Short Dyke and Fleet Dyke – and is surrounded by vast reed beds that shroud the outside world. In summer the broad’s clear, shallow water is carpeted with lilies that are home to huge pike waiting to ambush their prey. Unsurprisingly, the broad has excellent boat fishing.

To reach the village of Rockland St Mary follow a dyke from the broad to moor at the village staithe. The boat basin is the ideal place to fish or simply relax with expansive views across wild marshes. There is a pub at the staithe and a recreation ground and children’s play area ten minutes walk away. The centre of the village is a mile from the moorings, where there is a Post Office stores and doctor’s surgery. You can enjoy fantastic circular walks using the Wherryman’s Way long distance footpath that are signposted at the staithe. A popular 5 ¼ mile route follows an easy access path to a bird hide overlooking Rockland Broad and continues along Short Dyke and the River Yare before returning via Claxton village.

Alternatively visit Wheatfen Nature Reserve by following the Wherryman’s Way towards Surlingham. The Site of Special Scientific Interest has a choice of trails through magical fen and wet woodland habitat with a small broad that is cut off to boats.

Wheatfen was the home of famous Norfolk naturalist and journalist Ted Ellis. He lived in a remote cottage on the reserve and documented its wildlife for forty years.

Famous botanist David Bellamy said: “Wheatfen Broad is, in its way, as important as Mount Everest or the giant forests of North America. It is probably the best bit of fenland we have because we know so much about it. That is purely because one man gave his life trying to understand it – Ted Ellis.”

Eating Out

The New Inn Pub and restaurant opposite Rockland Staithe serving freshly prepared meals. Good selection of real ales. Outside seating area overlooking the staithe. 01508 538211

MOORING

Rockland St Mary Staithe Lovely village boat basin with both side and stern on moorings. Electric hook up available. Rockland Short Dyke Remote side on moorings near the mouth of Rockland Broad.

SALHOUSE BROAD & WOODBASTWICK

Salhouse Broad is an oasis of tranquillity that’s separated from the River Bure by a shallow spit of land. The broad has a little sandy beach and there are nature trails, canoe hire, a children’s play area and plenty of places to picnic.

Salhouse Broad is a wonderful 32 acre lake surrounded by mature dry woodland and fen that’s thriving with wildlife including many breeding pairs of Great Crested Grebes in spring. The broad was created by medieval sand and gravel digging (rather than peat digging like most broads) and is privately owned. The landowner employs rangers to carry out conservation work and help you to make the most of your visit.

Unusually for the Broads, there is a small sandy beach that’s popular for paddling and a picnic. You can hire a canoe from the beach and quietly explore the broad and its abandoned Wherry Cut.

There is a network of pathways and boardwalks to explore through wonderful woodland and fen. It’s also well worth climbing the grassy hill behind the beach for a panoramic view across the broad. A children’s play area and picnic benches are tucked away in the western end of the broad. An information board here tells you more about the award-winning Salhouse Spit Restoration Project that was completed in 2013.

The innovative project saved the spit of land, which separates the broad from the river from being lost to erosion caused by boat wash. Mud was dredged from the river, pumped into giant geotextile bags and used to rebuild the spit to the size recorded by an aerial photograph taken in 1946. The new land was then planted with locally sourced reeds and scrapes were dug to create a valuable wildlife habitat.

Toilets and a bottle bank are located half a mile from the broad in the car park where a sign points you to eateries and attractions.

Salhouse Broad – Eastern End Two different stern on moorings at the eastern end of the Broad close to the beach. Water available. Waste disposal is a 10 minute walk from moorings. Fee applies. Salhouse Broad – Western End Small side on moorings at the western end of the Broad. Waste disposal is a 10 minute walk from moorings. Fee applies. For water please move to the eastern end of the broad. Salhouse Broad – Island and Spit Side on moorings with no access to the mainland (unless you have a dinghy). For water and waste disposal facilities please visit Salhouse Broad Eastern End moorings. Fee applies.

SALHOUSE BROAD & WOODBASTWICK

MOORING

Hoveton Great Broad Side-on short stay moorings for visiting the trail only.

Hoveton Great Broad Nature Trail

Visit Hoveton Great Broad - a hidden wilderness cut off from civilisation - by following its wonderful nature trail, which is only accessible by boat, on boardwalks through wild wet woodland (from April to October). There are free moorings at the start of the trail, opposite Salhouse Spit, or alternatively you can catch a little ferry from Salhouse Broad.

The nature reserve is managed by Natural England and their rangers will help you to moor and share their expert knowledge. The kilometre long nature trail winds its way through wild alder carr woodland to a viewing platform and hide that overlooks Hoveton Great Broad – a huge sheet of water that is cut off from boats and is rich with wildlife including a common tern colony. Hoveton Great Broad is being transformed by an ambitious £4.5 million restoration project to improve water quality and support flourishing wildlife.

The Broad, which had become very shallow, has been dredged of polluted silt and certain fish are being removed in a process called biomanipulation. By removing these fish, the tiny water fleas (daphnia) they feed on will thrive and feast on the algae that is currently clouding the water. More plants will grow in the clear water (providing a home for the water fleas to hide in so that the fish can be returned to the broad) and the whole ecosystem will benefit. www.hovetongreatbroad.org.uk

Woodforde’s Brewery - Woodbastwick

The village of Woodbastwick is ten minutes walk from Salhouse Broad car park and is home to the Woodforde’s Brewery. Founded in 1981, it’s perhaps Norfolk’s best known brewery and has won two Supreme Champion Beer of Britain awards.

Real ale fans should visit Woodforde’s shop or better still arrange a tour of the brewery, which must be booked in advance. 01603 722218 www.woodfordes.co.uk

Eating Out

Prima Rosa tea room and gift shop Salhouse village Vintage tea room serving home cooked lunches, cakes and bakes. The gift shop has crafts from over 40 local artisans. Located ten minutes walk from Salhouse Broad car park on Lower Street. 01603 927580 www.primarosasalhouse.co.uk

The Bell Salhouse village Child friendly freehouse and restaurant in a former coaching inn with a beer garden. Located twenty minutes walk from Salhouse Broad car park on Lower Street. 01603 720220

The Fur and Feather Where better to try Woodforde’s beers than at its brewery tap? The thatched Fur and Feather pub is located right next door to the brewery and serves locally sourced meals. 01603 720003 www.woodfordes.com/brewery-tap