BARTON BROAD

Barton Broad is the second largest of the Norfolk Broads and was subject to substantial improvement a few years ago. A multi-million pound project was undertaken by the Broads Authority aimed at restoring the silting broad to clear water. The project on the whole has been a success and Barton Broad is once again a real boating paradise. The Broad is home to numerous wildlife, including many species of birds, fish and even otters, who have returned to the broad following the clearwater project. An annual sailing regatta is held every August.

Barton Broad is home to the Norfolk Punt Club, who have a pontoon anchored in the middle of the broad and they organize racing for a wide variety of craft and has some 550 members. It tries to maintain its original ethos of informal, economical and gentlemanly sailing combined with a love of the beauty of the local environment. In addition to weekly racing there are a number of Open Events held throughout the season and each August, the Club holds its Open Regatta, attended by sailors from all over the Broads racing a wide variety of boats.

The Nancy Oldfield Trust, based in Neatishead, also have a pontoon on Barton Broad and they offer sailing (and other pursuits) to those with disabilities. Whilst teaching in a school in East London, Richard Kenyon, a qualified sailor, had an idea of teaching life skills to handicapped children through sailing. He decided to act upon his idea and in 1984, the Nancy Oldfield Trust was born. The Trust provides sailing and other water-based activities for the disabled, both mentally and physically handicapped adults and children. See their website for more details.

At the West end of the Broad is the entrance to Lime Kiln Dike, which is adjacent to a thatched boathouse near Gayes staithe. Lime Kiln Dyke takes us towards Neatishead and is narrow and surrounded by woods - a great place for a paddle in a canoe!

Gayes Staithe is the starting point of boat trips onto Barton Broad aboard the solar powered boat "The Ra". These trips are run by the Broads Authority - see their website for details.

The only way to see Barton Broad on foot is via the Boardwalk near Neatishead. It has a car-park about half a mile from the entrance, but there is a small car-park at the entrance for the disabled. The boardwalk itself takes you on a journey through ancient woodland to a viewing platform at the end.

The view from the platform over Barton Broad is amazing - and you get a different view at different times of the year - this one was taken in January.

The River Ant opens out onto the Broad just above Irstead village. A sign at Irstead describes the recent project to vastly improve the water quality of Barton Broad. This project has been successful in helping both the local wildlife and also all kinds of leisure users.