Sotshole Broad is a small broad located about 1km south of the village of Ranworth and north of the village of South Walsham.

The Broad itself is approximately 1.2 hectares in area and the whole site covers nearly 25 hectares.

Norfolk Wildlife Trust (NWT) has been offered the unique opportunity to purchase the site from a private seller on very generous terms and significantly below market value.

This special site is not only a haven for the wildlife of the secluded broad, but also the diverse species that make a home within the valley’s bluebell wood, alder carr wet woodland, mature tussock sedges, sunny grassland and wet scrub and dykes.

Otter and water vole make a home along watery edges. Wetland birds including teal and water rail nest throughout the flooded alder carr, and it’s not uncommon to catch the bright blue flash of one of the resident kingfishers. The drier woodland is alive with sound, thanks to the tawny owl, woodcock, treecreepers and marsh tit found amongst the trees.

The site’s habitats are distinctive. The presence of small-leaved lime and long-established hazel coppice in some areas suggest very old woodland of over two hundred years and possibly even remnant ancient woodland. Parts of the wet alder carr woodland also appear to be of similar age, making it very rare in the UK.

The open habitats to the north of the site range from grassland, transitioning to tall herb communities in the valley floor. Upland grassland to lowland fen transitions are precious habitats in the Broads, and rich in botanical diversity.

This special site is not only a haven for the wildlife of the secluded broad, but also the diverse species that make a home within the valley’s bluebell wood, alder carr wet woodland, mature tussock sedges, sunny grassland and wet scrub and dykes.

Otter and water vole make a home along watery edges. Wetland birds including teal and water rail nest throughout the flooded alder carr, and it’s not uncommon to catch the bright blue flash of one of the resident kingfishers. The drier woodland is alive with sound, thanks to the tawny owl, woodcock, treecreepers and marsh tit found amongst the trees.

The site’s habitats are distinctive. The presence of small-leaved lime and long-established hazel coppice in some areas suggest very old woodland of over two hundred years and possibly even remnant ancient woodland. Parts of the wet alder carr woodland also appear to be of similar age, making it very rare in the UK.

Thanks to the care of its previous owner, Sotshole Broad is already a haven for a great many plant and animal species. We intend on building on this solid foundation and continue to improve Sotshole’s habitats for wildlife and the environment.

Continuing the previous owner’s restoration of the broad itself, we will improve water clarity for the celebrated food web of the Broads, from water fleas to otters.

By reinstating light grazing, we hope to recover the diversity of flora in the corridor of grassland along the north edge of the reserve. Grazing will also help us restore small areas of fen here.

By restoring natural water retention within the reserve’s extensive alder woods, we can increase habitat diversity, prevent flooding downstream, and improve water quality both on site and downstream.

In 2023 we launched our new strategy: A Wilder Norfolk for All, which plots our course towards ensuring that nature is thriving across our county. We want to increase the abundance and diversity of species making a home in Norfolk, create more space for nature and connect up existing and new wild spaces to secure a future for wildlife right across our landscape.

The purchase of Sotshole Broad will connect and consolidate our priceless landholding along the River Bure. NWT Ranworth and Cockshoot Broads are found a short distance to the north of Sotshole Broad, both of which we have owned for the benefit of wildlife and people for almost 80 years. On these special sites, you’ll find rare species including swallowtail butterflies, cranes and ospreys in our care.

East of Sotshole Broad, we have built a significant landholding that we have managed for nature around Upton Broad over 50 years, protecting bitterns, hobbies, fen orchids, marsh pea and far more.

By buying and restoring Sotshole Broad for wildlife, we will bring a further 25 hectares of nature-rich land and water into our care, adding another piece to a growing patchwork of land in this unique area that is being protected for nature.

Another of NWT’s priorities is to provide people with new ways to enjoy the benefits of being in nature. We are excited that this purchase will help us bring residents and visitors closer to the wildlife of the Bure. By offering public access to a new local green space we hope to contribute to local residents’ and visitor’s physical and mental wellbeing and reconnect people with the wetlands in which we have always thrived.

Following the purchase, as part of the restoration phase, we intend to provide access routes through the site, which would include replacing an old boardwalk. Raised ground on the northern edge of the site would be well suited to education activities and events, with room for seating and picnicking.

We plan to develop a public footpath encompassing Ranworth, Malthouse, South Walsham and Sotshole Broads. This will allow you to explore the bluebell wood, the alder carr, the reed fringe and the sunny grassland of our new reserve alongside existing wildlife-rich spots in the area.

Making Sotshole Broad publicly accessible would considerably enhance and extend the experience currently offered to those visiting Ranworth Broad by boat, car or public transport. Once at Sotshole Broad, the diversity of habitats would provide an extended season to visitors with a stunning bluebell trail a spectacular highlight to the year.

We also intend to use the new public trail to help us to improve our educational offer to visitors to the Bure.

No. Until we are able to purchase the site, it is privately owned and not currently accessible to the public.

Yes. Public access via designated routes will be granted as soon we raise sufficient funds to install access infrastructure and make the paths safe for unsupervised use. Our current aim is to provide public access to the site from spring 2026.

Before the site is accessible to the public, views across the nature reserve are available from the Ranworth to Panxworth public footpath.

NWT will require time to survey and monitor the nature reserve which will inform our plans to maximise the site’s value for wildlife, and where we can make improvements to habitats.

Once this process is complete, we will assess the possibility of providing access to parts of Sotshole Broad for dog walkers.

If, at this point, we do permit dogs on the site, it will be in a way that is compatible with caring for the site’s special wildlife and habitats, such as ensuring dogs avoid particularly sensitive areas of the site and requesting that dogs are kept on a short lead.

We will communicate the outcome of this assessment with the local community as soon as we are able.

We hope to raise £100,000. These funds will cover the shortfall we have on the land purchase price, help us to start the process of making the site safe for public access and to carry out initial wildlife monitoring and habitat improvements.

Yes, all donations are very welcome. Please just let us know that this is your wish when you donate online, by phone or using forms.

The site has been offered to NWT off the open market on very generous terms and significantly below market value.

Over 85% of the sale price of the land has already been raised thanks to a legacy from Graham Churchyard, a very generous donation from a local NWT member and a grant from the Anglian Water Flourishing Environment Fund.

This leaves us confident that with generous support from the local community, we will be able to raise the remaining funds to purchase the land.

The management of Sotshole Broad will be supported by regular reserve volunteers. To find out more about volunteering opportunities at Norfolk Wildlife Trust, visit: www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/volunteering

An area of hard standing existing on site could be converted to parking suited to blue badge holders and with appropriately surfaced trails the site could become inclusive to a wider range of visitors. The potential for this will be assessed once NWT has taken ownership of the site.

The nearest train stations are Acle, Salhouse and Wroxham. ‘Our Bus’ runs the number 71A bus between Acle and Wroxham two to three times per day on weekdays, which calls in at Ranworth.

Other than a small area for disabled parking we do not intend on providing further parking facilities at Sotshole Broad. However, parking is available in nearby Ranworth, which we intend to link to Sotshole Broad via a public footpath.

You can support the appeal by making a donation:

• Using an appeal form
• In person: At NWT Ranworth Visitor Centre 
• Online: Visit www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/SotsholeBroadAppeal
• By phone: 01603 625540