Broads Museum

Showcases the life and times of the Norfolk Broads, including the myriad of ways of working and living on the Broads.

The Museum of the Broads showcases the life and times of the Norfolk Broads. The Norfolk Broads, one of England's unique landscapes, were formed by medieval peat diggings, which became shallow lakes, linked by winding rivers. Today they are a haven for both wildlife and recreation, but behind the tourist industry lays a myriad ways of working and living, much of which is on display in the museum. The museum is split into a number of themed buildings, with larger exhibits displayed out in the yard. The museum is a great way to explore the history of the area and you can even take a river trip aboard the steam boat 'Falcon'. A visit is well recommended!

The entrance to the Museum of the Broads is situated off the busy A149 road at Stalham Staithe. Inside the friendly reception has a shop selling Broads related items and a few refreshments. The museum backs onto the river and is housed in a number of buildings, each with a different theme.

THE WHERRIES
This area of the museum is housed in a shed once used to store coal, timber and farm produce waiting to be transported via the Broads rivers in wherries. You can see a full size replica of a wherry 'cuddy', the master's sleeping and living quarters. There are also models of wherries on display.

THE MARSHMANS BUILDING
In this part of the museum you can meet a marshman and investigate his very traditional lifestyle as he harvested reeds and sedge for thatching, marsh litter for animal bedding and hay for horse and cattle feed. You can see working boats, such as punts, displays covering topics such as windmills and even local art.

THE DISCOVERY ROOM
In this area you can sit and watch a video explaining the history, traditions and origins of the Broads. Your children can get to grips with tying knots, painting or trying the quiz sheets. There are cabinets containing information on famous local people from times gone by, old tourist brochures and Broads related tapestries.

THE BOAT BUILDING SHED
In the boat shed you can see examples of how water transport has been vital to the social, business and leisure life of Broadland. Examples include a racing yacht, commissioner's launch, the world's smallest concrete boat an ice yacht and an airbourne lifeboat. There are full size boats, model boats and a section devoted to engines.

OUTSIDE
The larger boats are scattered about the yard outside and include a provision boat operated by Curtis stores, a Broads sailing cruiser, a weedcutter and a children's playboat.

STEAM LAUNCH FALCON
Falcon was built around 1895 in Dartmouth for Sir Edmund Lacon, of Lacons Brewery. After a long career, the boat was acquired by the Broads Museum in 1997, thanks to a generous donation, and a restoration process was begun. The boat was finally fully repaired in 2005 and was able to take passengers down the river under her own steam power once again. Falcon now takes groups of visitors from the museum on a nostalgic cruise down the river Ant towards Barton Broad.

Norfolk Broads

Barton Broad

Barton Turf

River Ant

Stalham

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