Funny name, Broads Park. Despite the name, you don't have to be of any particular gender or width in order to enjoy The Broads. Is that where you go to watch the pretty birds walk by? Actually, there are a lot of birds at the Broads, but they are not women or girls. They’re actually birds, with feathers and beaks and the lot. The Broads got their name as a nickname for “Broadlands”. There are two Broadlands areas in England – Suffolk Broads and Norfolk Broads, but The Broads National Park is the Norfolk Broads. It is the largest protected area of wetland in England. As the rest of it can get quite swampy, the best way to get around is by boat.
The Broads is easily found in Norwich, in Norfolk County, in southeast England. It you look at the silhouette of a map of England, it sort of looks like the profile of a man with a big nose wearing a pointy hat. Norfolk County is the “nose”. You can get to The Broads by train, bus or hired car. Check with your favorite travel agent as to what transportation they recommend and to check on any construction that might be going on. Broads Park is a major vacation spot for the English and foreigners alike, so the area tries to be as easily accessible as it can while still trying to be ecologically friendly.
The Broads is wet. Pack wellies and raingear as the weather can be unpredicatable. There are seven rivers (the Rivers Bure, Thurne, Ant, Yare, Chet, Waveney, and Wensum (but no Loosesome, sadly), lockless canal ways with over 200 km of waterways to explore. There are many boats for hire, whether sailboats, rowboats or canoes (which many English call kayaks). You will also be able to rent life vests. There are many fine hotels around The Broads to rest and fuel up after your bracing days as sailor.
There are many birds and animals that make their home in The Broads. Some of them really have no other place to live, as wetlands are getting more and more scare due to construction. The Broads does have some construction, but it is carefully controlled with the land’s best interest in mind. Birds that live there include Sparrowhawk, the moorhen, the Great Crested Grebe, Kestrel, Cormorant, Bittern, Greylag Goose and Egyptian Goose. The Broad also has many species of dragonflies that look like flying jewels. You might want to bring a pair of binoculars in order to see these spectacular creatures without getting close enough to scare them away.
There are also many things to see that do not get so skittish and can be seen without binoculars. The Broads boasts of beautiful windmills, old abbeys, lush gardens and quaint villages. There are many historical buildings and places within the Broads. It is also a great place for people watching and boat watching and fishing.

There are places to walk around the Broads, if you prefer to be a land-lubber. There are safe and attractive trails for walkers, cyclists and motor bikers. Check out the Broads Authority’s website to see what events will be going on when you will have your vacation.