The photograph above was taken on the Stokesby staithe by the village green. The map shows the circular walk which takes 3-4 hours and is 4.5 miles long. This scenic walk explores the traditional farming landscape of the Broads. In Spring and Summer you’ll see cattle grazing on the lush, wide marshes. All year round there is marshland wildlife to discover and enjoy.

Stokesby Staithe
This is one of the many village staithes on the Broads. In the days before roads and railways were built, goods were transported by river. Black-sailed wherries would have moored up here to unload their cargoes of reeds, timber and other local goods.

The Grazing Marshes and their Wildlife
Cattle and sheep have grazed these marshes for centuries. The marsh dykes are home to a wonderful range of plants and insects. Look out for the damselflies and dragonflies darting around.

Wind Pumps and Marsh Drainage
As you walk around you will notice some of the old windpumps which used to drain the marshes. Electric pumps are used now but the windpumps are part of the history of the Broads. Many of the best examples are being restored by the Norfolk Mills and Pumps Trust.

A Protected Landscape
You will pass some fields which have been converted from grazing marsh to arable crops like sugar beet. But because the marshes are so rich in wildlife, the Broads has become an Environmentally Sensitive Area. This scheme supports traditional farming which protects the marsh landscape and its wildlife.

The Broads & National Parks
In 1989, the Broads gained the status of a National Park. Like our other National Parks, it is protected because of its unique landscape and wildlife, and for us to enjoy.