Norfolk Broads Boat Hire

By Author: Enid Valenzuela
Total Articles: 96
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There are several Norfolk Broads boat hire firms operating in Britain's historic waterways. The Broads with its unique landscape and ecosystem of verdant woodlands, lush reed beds and mysterious marshes offer a whole range of vistas and activities for tourists and boating enthusiasts.

A History of the Norfolk Broads

The name Norfolk Broads actually encompass two distinct water systems in the Norfolk and Suffolk counties that have long acted as a channel for transportation in the area. The water ways were originally created through the flooding of early peat excavations sites in the area sometime in the middle ages.

This area was originally a rich source of peat (a traditional source of fuel) from the time of the first Roman settlements. However, the Romans were only the first to capitalize on the rich peat beds of the area. In the middle ages, local monasteries identified these deposits as a rich source of income and started exhausting the sites at a rapid rate.

Historians calculate that almost 320,000 tonnes of peat was excavated each year, leading to massive pits being dug up in the area. As the ...
... sea level rose, the pits began to flood one after the other despite the best efforts of mediaeval engineers, to create the lush landscape we see today.

Though the man-made nature of these waterways was identified only in the 1960s, they have been a popular tourist and boating destination since the late 19th century. In 1878, John Loynes started the first Norfolk Broads boat hire business, hiring out small yachts to tourists from London and elsewhere.

Since then the Broads have been a popular destination for tourists, bird-watchers, naturalists and boating enthusiasts attracted by the unique environment and ecosystem of the area. The area has also been an important hub for the racing yachts industry since the late 19th century and several key design innovations such as short fin keels and a separate rudder were first tested in these waterways.

Norfolk Broads Holidays

There are several different cruise options available including the possibility of hiring rental cottages by the water for those who wish to stagger their time on the boat and/or explore the surrounding countryside. This particular option is in fact perfect for family holidays or for tour groups that include young children who may otherwise get bored with extended intervals on the water.

Instead of spending all your time of the water, you can make a relaxing trip up or down river to your cottage before spending the night in comfort in one of the exquisitely furnished waterfront cottages that are equipped with all the creature comforts. This will also allow you to find your water legs at your own pace rather than trying to deal with long stretches in unfamiliar surroundings. Finally, the cottage option is perfect for active people who may find lazing around on a boat boring after a length of time. By hiring one of these cottages, you can indulge in normal holiday activities while exploring the unique waterscape at your own pace.

To conclude, a Norfolk Broads boat hire holiday offers visitors the chance to experience a whole range of activities while cruising along these extraordinary waterways. A variety of boating and cruise options is available for individuals, groups and families depending on your individual preferences.

Spend your holidays using Norfolk Broads boat hire to add a touch of fun and adventure to your vacation. Norfolk Broads holidays include holiday cruisers, cottages, day boats etc.