The nature trail is open all year. At the edge of the
Broad the Broadland Conservation Centre is moored a
unique floating visitor centre with exhibitions,
information and super views from its gallery.
The reserve can be visited by following signs from
Malthouse staithe. from the entrance a 450 metre nature
trail meanders through oak woodland, swamp carr and open
fen to the edge of the Broad and offers a chance to
glimpse some of the wildlife that this area is famous
The two broads are surrounded by fen, which years ago
was regularly cut for thatching material, mainly sedge.
Dykes were cut from these sedge beds to the nearest
stretch of river to allow the produce to be boated
Ranworth 'Dam' was one of these dykes. Today only a few
sedge beds remain in commercial production with much of
the area having become dominated by alder and
The Trust has restored most of the sedge beds and
cleared the dykes. Regular mowing now keeps the beds
open and ensures the survival of rare fenland plants and
The open water is a refuge of birds such as teal,
shoveler, pochard, gadwall, tufted ducks and wigeon. As
many as 400 cormorants have been seen here and this
forms the largest island roost of its type in the
British Isles. Summer visitors include common tern,
kingfisher, swallow, coot, swan and snipe.
During the war wherries were sunk on some of the larger
broads to deter enemy hydroplanes from landing. Many of
those at Ranworth are now submerged but in 1964 a wherry
and two coal barges were sunk in an attempt to reduce
erosion by wave action. They are still visible along the
A ferry boat also operates from the staithe and tickets
can be obtained from the information centre.
Refreshments are available. The Visitor Centre houses a