Salhouse Broad is located on the River Bure between Wroxham and Horning, in the heart of the Norfolk Broads. The 40 acre Broad is open to the public all year round, and there is an additional 20 acres of adjacent woodland, reedbed and grassland accessible to visitors. Salhouse Broad is part of the Broads Executive Area, a member of the National Park family, and also lies within Salhouse Conservation Area.

Salhouse is unique among the Broads both because of its origins, and its mosaic of habitats. It is commonly known that the Broads originated with medieval peat diggings, which flooded as sea levels rose and transformed into the network of rivers, wetlands and lakes we see today. Salhouse Broad, however, was not excavated for peat, but for another important resource of the time: gravel, probably deposited by the glaciers which extended to Norfolk during the last ice age. Now, Salhouse Broad has excellent examples of mature dry woodland, wet woodland (alder carr), gorse scrub, open fen and reedbed, and open water, and draws a range of beautiful wildlife to its banks.

People visit Salhouse Broad for its beautiful landscape and wildlife, its rural character, and the laid-back, relaxed atmosphere for which the area is renowned. It is a special place rich in personality and distinctiveness, wildlife, history and heritage. It is an ideal place to walk the dog, hunting for the elusive swallowtail butterfly, or just relax and leave the modern world, with all its stresses, behind.

Meet the team

The site is managed by the landowner, Henry Cator, and the Salhouse Broad Rangers, as a sustainable business. Henry knows the importance of protecting the Broad’s past, whilst also meeting the needs and challenges of the future. Management therefore focuses on maintaining and improving the visitor facilities at Salhouse Broad, whilst retaining its value for wildlife, heritage and community. To that end, income generated by the Broad goes back into the upkeep, maintenance, conservation and improvements to access of Salhouse Broad.

Alex Hendry - The Head Ranger at Salhouse Broad, Alex is in charge of the day-to-day running of the business, as well as overseeing improvements, projects and developments at the Broad. Alex joined the team in October 2017, having worked just across the river at the Hoveton Great Broad Nature Trail for the last two summers. He has a background in conservation, and experience working with Natural England, the RSPB, the National Trust, and volunteering with the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. He moved to Norfolk in 2012 to study Environmental Sciences at UEA, and stuck around to complete an MSc in Applied Ecology and Conservation in 2017. 

Seasonal Rangers - Taylor, Gordon, Jamie, Belinda and Chris

The Broad is helped hugely by the generosity of regular volunteers and the Friends of Salhouse Broad. If you'd like to be involved, please contact us.