The reserve comprises three habitats: open water, reed and sedge fen. The broad, which is a shallow, salty lake, is thought to have been formed by flooding of peat diggings prior to the 13th century and is surrounded by areas of reedbed and species-rich sedge fen.
County: Norfolk
Main habitats: Peatland, Open Water
Area: 59 Ha
Site map: Nature on the Map
Although most NNRs are managed by Natural England, 88 are wholly or partly managed by other bodies approved by Council, under Section 35 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Martham Broad is owned and managed by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust.
View an information sheet for Martham Broad
.
The reserve is immediately adjacent another NNR, Hickling Broad.
The best time to visit the reserve is between April and August. In summer the public path is one of the best places in Broadland to see swallowtail butterflies.
Martham Broad is 15 km north west of Great Yarmouth and 11 km north of Acle. Martham is two km south west of the broad.
By car, access to the site is via minor roads from the A149. There is a car park in the south east corner of the reserve.
The nearest train stations are in Great Yarmouth and Acle. Bus services from Great Yarmouth to Martham are provided by First Group.
Martham is close to Route 30 (Norfolk Coast Cycle Way) of the Sustrans National Cycle Network.
The nearest toilet and refreshment facilities in Martham.
There is a one km footpath through the site and boat access via a marked navigation channel.
Please note that access is limited to the public footpath and boat channel.