 Broads, the National Park of England
Added: 10/15/2007 |
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In each and every country the concept of national parks is coming at a galvanizing speed. Witnessing the successes of the existing national parks, meant for both conservation and entertainment, more are to follow. Indeed, visiting a national park happens to be a very exciting thought. Indeed they are very enjoyable to people of all ages. Whether it is the broads or the Jim Corbett of India, there is the presence of a wide variety of plants, animals, birds and other heritage sites. So if you are interested to be one with nature and enjoy the calm and beautiful scenery the ideal way is to plan a vacation to a national park.
The same is with England. The concept of national parks in this country has taken a strong footing ever since its first introduction in the country. So if you happen to visit for the first time in England be sure to visit the unique stretching of interlinking lakes and rivers, located in East Anglia, known as the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads. However, it must be kept in mind that even fifty years back their origins had been under a great mystery. Till the decade of the 50's of the last century, there was a general conception that the unusual waterways in the broads had been gouged out of the land in the last ice age. But at this time due to the discovery of a botanist the history turned to a different direction. To the amazing discovery it was found that not only were the bottoms unnaturally flat, but also the sides were unnaturally steep. This became instrumental to reach the conclusion that the creation of the lakes were not for the glaciers, but due to the flooded peat diggings. Now, if there is any such spectacular discovery it also opens the floodgate resulting into the initiation of the consequent discoveries. The mediaeval records in large numbers showed that the very area used to be most populated in the Middle Ages. Its ideal location while facing the continent of Europe across a narrow stretch of the North Sea made it preferably placed for trading. Even the presence of low lying marshy ground appeared to be perfect for the grazing of sheep from whence came the most valuable textile of the age, wool. The strange geographical location of the area due to jutting out into the sea had nothing between it and the North Pole. Again, the presence of the harsh northerly winter winds driving down from the Arctic, far colder than now, allowed many trees to grow. However, in spite of scanty growth, these trees were highly important for making the beautiful timber framed buildings to raise the elegance and adding charm to the area. This very aspect of the broads left the peaty soil as the single local source of fuel against the onslaught of the winter chill. Again due to the underlying water table, these pits could only be dug to a certain depth before they got filled with water. As a result, once this happened, the peat working was simply abandoned with the beginning of a fresh one along side.
To the studies and also the general perception, there happen to be 25 miles (200 km) of navigable rivers and also abandoned peat workings. But it is to be noted that the broads happen to be no neglected industrial landscape. Though there had been a sharp decline in respect of the population, due to the presence of poor infrastructure and almost completely cut off from the rest of the country. But with the introduction of the railways again the light of the heaven shined on the very area giving a new mode of enthusiasm to the broads nationals. From that time on the saga of development has been unending and the great attractions of the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads are constantly being discovered by an ever increasing list of followers. It should be also kept in mind that due to several reasons the ecology of water and wildlife has been weak. But, since, the broads happen to be one of the most prominent national parks of England, they are firmly safeguarded. There is also an ample number of leisure activities within the park, that includes boating bringing new prosperity to the region.
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