Heritage
Celebrating the stories, landscapes and cultural identity of the Broads
Honouring the character and history of a remarkable landscape
The Broads has a story like no other — a landscape shaped by people, industry, community and nature over many centuries.
From medieval peat diggings to the mills, marshes and waterways we know today, the Broads is rich in history, culture and character.
Understanding this unique heritage is essential to protecting the landscape for future generations.
A Landscape Shaped by People and Time
History of the Broads
The Broads may appear to be a natural wetland, but its origins are far more unexpected. For centuries, people believed the broads were naturally formed lakes. In reality, they began as medieval peat diggings, excavated by local communities who relied on peat for fuel.
As water levels rose, these pits gradually flooded, forming the shallow, open waterways that define the landscape today.
Over time, the Broads evolved into a place of industry, boat-building, reed and sedge cutting, grazing, milling and riverside living — a dynamic working landscape long before it became a place of recreation.
Traditional crafts and occupations shaped not only the land but also the character of local communities. Later, with the rise of leisure boating and conservation awareness, the Broads took on yet another identity: a treasured wetland where heritage, wildlife and people coexist.
Today, this distinctive blend of human influence and natural processes makes the Broads one of the most unusual and fascinating landscapes in the UK.
Keeping the Broads' Identity Alive
We support projects and initiatives that:
✓ Protect the distinct landscape character of the Broads
✓ Interpret heritage for new audiences
✓ Share stories that connect people to the landscape
✓ Celebrate the area’s cultural history and traditions
✓ Preserve historic buildings, structures and features
✓ Encourage responsible exploration of heritage sites
By protecting the past, we help shape a stronger future for the Broads and the communities who care for it.
Connecting people with the Broads’ story
Heritage is not just about what has been — it’s about how people experience the Broads today.
We champion work that brings the landscape’s story to life through:
Interpretation and information panels
Helping visitors understand the Broads’ history and landscape
Guided learning resources
Supporting schools and communities to engage with heritage
Partnership projects
Working together to highlight local identity and culture
Discovery Hubs
Places to explore, learn and connect with the Broads
Community-led heritage activity
Empowering local people to share and celebrate their stories
The more people understand the Broads, the more they value and protect it.