Introducing Fens & Broads

Introducing Fens & Broads

For many people, the joy of East Anglia is its separateness, its desolate landscapes and isolated beaches. Of these, the fens (marshy lowlands) of northern Cambridgeshire and the Broads (expanded rivers) of Norfolk are the most dramatic—or depressing, depending on your mood. The water in the marshes and dikes reflects the arching sky, whose cloudscapes are ever-changing, stretching toward seemingly infinite horizons. The sunsets are to be treasured. The fens resemble areas of Holland across the North Sea, and, indeed, work on much of the drainage system here was carried out by Dutch engineers beginning in the 17th century.

In both Norfolk and Suffolk, the reed-bordered Broads make a gentle landscape of canals and lakes that are ideal for boating and are alive with birds and animals. Touring by car isn't really an option if you want to see something of the Norfolk Broads (www.broads-authority.gov.uk), because much of this area of shallow lakes linked by wide rivers is inaccessible by road. There are boat tours and people with their own launch can cruise through 150 mi of waterways. The Broads Authority maintains an extensive network of cycle paths and bike rental centers. Rentals are £10 per day, and each rental center can provide local maps and route advice. All centers are within 30 to 40 minutes' drive of Norwich. The Suffolk Heritage Coast includes 40 mi of unspoiled coastline, with marshes, beaches, and broads.