These flooded medieval peat diggings are the country's most important wetlands, and form Britain's newest National Park. The Broads Authority, which was set up in 1989 to look after the Broads, has information centres at several locations. The rare swallowtail is Britain's largest butterfly and is unique to the Norfolk Broads, where its caterpillars depend on milk parsley for their diet. Hickling Broad is one of the most accessible of these freshwater lakes. The towns and villages of the Broads have a range of facilities for holidaymakers.
Boatyards offer the chance to hire dayboats.
There are pleasant chalets to rent and attractive riverside pubs to visit. Wroxham, which is the major Broads holiday centre, is home to the 'largest village store in the world'. Sponsored by Jarrold Publishing, Norwich, publishers of guide books for Cities, Cathedrals and all tourist attractions.