Oulton Broad
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Oulton Broad refers to both the lake and the suburb of Lowestoft in Suffolk, England.
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[edit] Oulton Broad lake
Oulton Broad is part of the network of lakes known as The Norfolk Broads, although it is actually situated in Suffolk. To the east it is linked by a lock to the sea via Lake Lothing. Next to the lock are the road and rail Mutford Bridges. To the west it is linked by Oulton Dyke to the River Waveney.
The Broad is a busy tourist and sporting centre. At the extreme east are cafes, pubs, shops, car parks, and Nicholas Everitt Park. Boats can be hired. To the south-east is the Oulton Broad Water Sports Centre, and a 'village' of holiday chalets. It is one of the few inhabited broads, with houses to the north and flats to the east. The north side of the Broad is the most exclusive and expensive residential area in Lowestoft, particularly for those large detached houses having lake frontage.
While the eastern and north shores of the Broad are built up, the west and south-west are quiet and natural. This part of the lake can be reached on foot by walking through Nicholas Everitt Park and then by public footpaths through Bonds Meadow and White Cast Marshes on the southern bank, or by walking down the trackway known as Fisher Row (off Church Lane) from the north.
In the 1930s there used to be a tea shop just outside the Broad on the north-east bank of Oulton Dyke, which was a popular destination for walks from Lowestoft and for passing boats. In the 1960s Oulton Broad lake and Nicholas Everitt Park used to be a frequent destination for mystery coach tours from Ipswich or Norwich.
[edit] Oulton Broad suburb
Oulton Broad was once a village separate from Lowestoft. It is now a suburb and is heavily built up with no discernable boundary between the two. Bridge Road is Oulton Broad's main shopping street. Oulton Broad is served by two railway stations; Oulton Broad North on the Lowestoft-Norwich line, and Oulton Broad South on the Lowestoft-Ipswich line.
[edit] Nicholas Everitt Park
Nicholas Everitt Park fronts Oulton Broad lake. Lowestoft Museum in the park was opened by Queen Elizabeth II.
[edit] George Borrow
After marrying in 1840 the writer, traveller, and walker George Borrow moved to his wife's estate in Oulton Broad. In between travels he wrote several books there. During the 1850s he moved away, but returned to Oulton Broad in 1874 where he stayed until his death in 1881.
[edit] Drinking and nightlife
Oulton Broad is a popular night-time destination, with popular pubs.
[edit] Powerboat racing
Most Thursday evenings at 6:00 Oulton Broad plays host to some of the best powerboat racing in the country. There are a number of classes of boat that race including, J250, F4, F2, F1, OSY400 and more. The racing is known as circuit racing. The course has two turn buoys. The turn at the top of the river is called the top turn and the one near the Wherry pub is called the Wherry turn. This is the most dangerous turn in Europe for circuit powerboat racing. There are many accidents there every season. However the Broads has a top class rescue team that get to the driver before they can get to the surface of the water. The overall lap record for Oulton Broad is set by Tom Percival at an amazing time of 27.7 seconds for the 3/4 mile circuit. This record has come under increased pressure since it was set in 1987 but so far nobody has been able to break it. Earlier on in the 2006 season however, Jonathan Lewis got very close with a time of 27.8 seconds. He drives a 2.5 litre F1 tuned monster that goes well over 100mph on both the straights. Next season Oulton Broad has been picked to host the OSY400 world championship. it is expected that over 20 boats will be racing on the water at the same time.
