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We're taking on the management of Broadland Country Park

Eliot Lyne and Sue Holland at Broadland Country Park opening event. 

We are proud to announce that Broadland District Council (BDC) has formally handed over the management of Broadland Country Park to us.

This landmark partnership comes as we celebrate our centenary and marks a new chapter for the 140-acre site, ensuring its long-term future as a haven for both wildlife and the local community. 

Since its opening, Broadland Country Park has become a popular green space for residents of Felthorpe, Horsford, and the wider Greater Norwich area. Having successfully established the park’s infrastructure, BDC is now transferring management to us to make use of its specialist expertise in protecting and restoring wildlife and providing people with opportunities to enjoy time in nature.   

As part of this exciting new partnership, Broadland District Council will remain a key stakeholder in the park’s future, while we will serve as the principal managers of the site, bringing its extensive experience in managing land to benefit both nature and local communities.  

As partners, we are significantly expanding Broadland Country Park by purchasing Drayton Drewray. This will add an additional 114 acres of land to the south of the site, effectively doubling the size of Broadland Country Park. Over time this land will see new paths created for walkers and cyclists, alongside conservation work designed to increase biodiversity across the landscape. Habitats such as native broadleaf woodland and heathland will be restored and expanded, creating a richer and more varied environment for wildlife. 

The transition was marked by an event at the park with the Leader of Broadland District Council and our CEO. They discussed the shared vision for the site, which includes enhancing the rare heathland habitats and strengthening the "green corridor" connecting the park to the wider Bure Valley. 

The Leader of Broadland District Council, Sue Holland said: "Broadland Country Park was born from a vision to provide our residents with world-class access to nature. I am incredibly proud of what the Council has achieved in establishing this site. As we move into this next phase, there is no better custodian than Norfolk Wildlife Trust. Their expertise will ensure that while the park remains a beautiful place for a Sunday stroll, it also becomes a thriving engine for nature recovery in our district." 

Our CEO, Eliot Lyne added: “We’re delighted to become custodians of Broadland Country Park and to be able to grow this amazing green space to almost twice its size with funding from Broadland District Council. 

“This is a brilliant site for the people of Norwich and its surroundings to experience nature and a vital piece of the puzzle for nature’s recovery in Norfolk. By managing these woods and heathlands, we can create a more resilient landscape for rare species like the nightjar and silver-studded blue butterfly. Nurturing Norfolk’s nature and helping make it part of everyone’s daily lives is vital if we are to protect wildlife for future generations and support healthy, happy communities. We look forward to doing even more for nature and people at this special site for years to come.”

The park will remain free to enter and open to the public daily. We plan to introduce: 

  • Enhanced Biodiversity: Specialised management of the woodland and marshy grasslands.
  • Community Engagement: New wildlife-focused events, guided walks, and educational workshops.
  • Volunteer Continuity: Current volunteers will be invited to join our extensive network, receiving specialised conservation training. 

Local residents are encouraged to visit the park and look out for new NWT-led activities starting this spring. 

For more information, visit: www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/BroadlandCountryPark 

Does NWT own Broadland Country Park?

As part of an exciting new partnership, Broadland District Council will remain a key stakeholder in the park’s future, while Norfolk Wildlife Trust will serve as the principal managers of the site.  

As partners, Broadland District Council and Norfolk Wildlife Trust have  significantly expanded the Broadland Country Park by purchasing Drayton Drewray. Broadland District Council, or any future successors, as freeholder will continue to play an important role in shaping the site’s development, while Norfolk Wildlife Trust brings its expertise and extensive experience in managing land to benefit both nature and local communities. 

When does NWT take on management of the park?

NWT now manages the full site, apart from a small area of land surrounding the site of the new visitor facilities which are currently in development. The management of this land and visitor facilities will be transferred to NWT when the development is complete. 

Will I need to pay to access Broadland Country Park?

No, Broadland Country Park will continue to be free to access, and there will be no parking charges. 

Will you need to be an NWT member to visit Broadland Country Park?

No, the site is free to enter for everyone. 

Will NWT make changes to existing facilities and access to the park?

Access and facilities at the park will remain the same.  

The car park, which has recently been enhanced and sustainably refurbished, will continue to be available to visitors and there will continue to be portable toilets available in the car park until the new visitor facilities are opened in summer 2026. 

There will be no reduction in access to the site for the public, and existing facilities and access will not be subject to any significant change.  

Longer term, NWT will look to enhance the offer to visitors, including expanding walking and cycling routes into the expanded area of country park, and offering new events and activities. We will share up-to-date news on our website: norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/BroadlandCountryPark 

Will I still be able to walk my dog at Broadland Country Park?

Yes. NWT has not introduced any changes to access for dogs. 

Can I still ride my horse at Broadland Country Park?

Yes. NWT has not introduced any changes to access for horse riding - you can continue to ride horses along the restricted byway. 

Will I still be able to cycle and/or use bike trails in Broadland Country Park?

Yes. NWT has not introduced any changes to access for cyclists. 

How does acquiring Broadland Country Park help NWT to achieve its strategy?

By introducing new habitat management across the park, we will build on the conservation work carried out by Broadland District Council as we further enhance the site for wildlife. 

We plan to restore the coniferous plantation found on the new land, previously known as Drayton Drewray, to native hardwood. By encouraging trees such as oak, hazel and birch to grow, the site will support mammals such as badgers, and bats along with birds like tawny owls, woodpeckers, and nuthatches. This habitat is also vital for a wide range of invertebrates, fungi, and native flora. 

By increasing the size of the park’s woodland and restoring a more diverse and naturally structured woodland by encouraging a richer mix of native trees, we will also help improve its resilience - allowing it to thrive long into the future. 

By sensitively managing the site’s heath and mire habitats, we will support a wide range of specialist wildlife found on the site, including heath spotted orchid, southern marsh orchid, silver-studded blue butterflies, woodlark, nightjar and slow-worms. 

As well as protecting and restoring nature, Norfolk Wildlife Trust is committed to providing people with access to wild spaces to enjoy and learn about Norfolk’s wildlife. Managing a country park found in a heavily populated area of Greater Norwich provides us with a great opportunity to do this through expanding free public access and offering new facilities, events and activities.  

With the addition of the new land, Broadland Country Park now lies on the Marriott’s Way foot and cycle path. This links the park to existing NWT nature reserves Sweet Briar Marshes and Foxley Wood, creating a green corridor for wildlife and people throughout the county. 

Do you plan to help people get to the park using public and green transport?

We have plans to work with the local authority to enhance public transport reaching the site, to offer new and greener ways for more people to enjoy Broadland Country Park. 

What wildlife will I be able to see and hear at Broadland Country Park?

To find out more about the wildlife you can experience at Broadland Country Park, visit: norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/BroadlandCountryPark 

Did the park cost NWT any money and, if so, where did the money come from?

The park is leased to NWT on a peppercorn rent for 80 years and therefore acquiring the land has not cost us any money.  

However, NWT will be responsible for funding the ongoing management of the site for the benefit of wildlife and people.  

Will the new visitor facilities cost NWT any money and, if so, where did the money come from?

No – the new visitor facilities will be leased to NWT on a peppercorn rent for 80 years and therefore has not cost us any money. 

When will the new visitor facilities open?

The new visitor facilities are due to open in summer 2026. 

What will the new visitor facilities include?

When they are complete, the visitor facilities will offer a cafe and picnic benches, along with toilets, additional parking, a dog washing station and electric vehicle and bike charging points.  

Where can I find up-to-date information about Broadland Country Park, including facilities, activities and events?

Please visit: norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/BroadlandCountryPark  

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