Wroxham is a popular and thriving, mostly tourism supported town, in the heart of the Broads National Park.
The Bridge Restaurant, the ‘home of the big fish’, as it was known locally, had reached the end of its useful life and was in a poor state.
The complex site; small, in a flood zone and adjacent Wroxham Bridge, a Scheduled Ancient Monument, is nevertheless, in an important and busy location.
After lengthy negotiations with the Broads Authority and Heritage England, work started on the 2 storey building in September 2016. Built off piled foundations, the timber frame and Cedar clad building is roofed with grey profiled steel sheeting. Windows and doors, in grey aluminium, complement the contemporary design
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The remaining old buildings have been removed and the family dining/games areas re-built and enlarged and the large timber framed and profiled steel roofed function room also re-built as a dining area with a slightly larger foot print. A new, much improved and enlarged kitchen has been built and all new toilets provided. In addition a ‘modern’ extension, with a sweeping curved Cedar roof, has been constructed to the east of the large dining area to provide a unique wedding venue and functions area.
3 self catering chalets have also been constructed nearby.
The redevelopment commences with 3 new moorings
COX’S BOATYARD. ‘Cox Bros’ could well be one of the oldest family boat building yards on the Norfolk Broads. The boatyard buildings were deteriorating and some near to collapse. Working closely with the Broads Authority, planning approval was granted in 2011 for a comprehensive redevelopment of the yard including replacing all workshops and providing 2 holiday apartments.
links: www.coxsboatyard.co.uk/boat-repair-latest-news.htm
www.barton-turf.co.uk/W143.pdf
FERRY VIEW MARTHAM
A 3 storey timber frame building on piled foundations on a challenging river side site, the Ferry View holiday apartment has superb views over the River Thurne and a National Trust wildlife reserve. The development includes new boat workshops and 2 further holiday apartments that have recently been completed on the site.
links: www.marthamferryboatyard.co.uk/holidayhome-ferryview.html
www.ansontimberworks.co.uk/projects/martham-ferry
Designed in a ‘W’ plan form, with probably one of the best settings on the broads, the timber frame building with large deck area, makes best use of the south facing views over the broad. Seen from the road it has a simple boat-shed like appearance.