History of the River Ant

The Broads are shallow lakes, created by people digging for peat fuel in the Middle ages. They became flooded in the 14th century as sea levels rose. The River Ant connects a number of these broads, including Barton Broad - the subject of major ecological restoration in the late 1990s.

The upper reaches of the Ant once connected with the North Walsham & Dilham Canal, which offered a waterway connection as far northwards as Antingham. Derelict for many years, the canal has been proposed for restoration, and some work has been carried out.