Broads, The, are a region of shallow lakes and lagoons near the east coast of England in Norfolk and northern Suffolk. Each of these lakes and lagoons is known as a broad. Many of the broads were originally pits dug in the Middle Ages to extract peat (decayed plant matter used for fuel). Marshes surround The Broads, and various rivers, such as the Bure, Waveney, and Yare, flow through the area. Large numbers of waterfowl nest there.
The Broads are the largest protected wetland in the United Kingdom. The region has the status of a national park. Thousands of people spend their holidays sailing, cruising, or fishing on The Broads. Many churches in the area are noted for their beautiful medieval painted screens.
