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Broome Heath is a large area of open heath/grass and woodland open to the public. The area has a rich history due mainly to the loamy sandy soils beneath it. One of the earliest finds is a mammoth tooth, this is now in the Norwich Castle museum.
Although it is possible that humans were at the site much earlier than the evidence suggests, Mesolithic is the farthest back we can go. This period started 6500 years ago (8500bc) and ended 4000bc. Hunting would have been good here as the free draining soils heavily contrasted with the heavy clays in other parts of Norfolk. Several finds from this period (axes, flint tools and flint workings) support the occupation. However the groundworks on site are Neolithic (4000bc-2351bc) this includes a C-shaped enclosure south west of the site along with post holes. Suggesting a small settlement, although there is no hard evidence for houses.
A large long barrow as well as one known round barrow also exist, there are other possible round barrows.
The Neolithic period gave way to the Bronze age (2351bc-701bc) with some evidence there.
On the parish boundary aerial photographs suggest a possible 'Hollow Way' road which ran SE to NW. It is not known whether this is Roman or Medieval in date.

The next stage in the site's life was a training area in World War I and II. Several zig zag pits, weapon bits and buildings were known to have existed. Training was mainly based in the north eastern area, but gravel extraction has destroyed most of the base.

Also of note, near the long barrows a spitfire crashed here in 1942. It was from 610 squadron based at RAF Coltishall.

Due to the large reserves of gravel there was large scale extraction from the mid 1940s to the late 1960s. A few dry pits and 4 lakes in the NE area exist.
Since industry moved out restoration has been the main aim, heath has returned along with the grasslands. Dog walkers along with the general public use the area for recreation. Fishing is also allowed (for a fee) in the large lakes.
Much of the land surrounding the village belongs to the Ditchingham Hall estate the seat of Earl Ferrers. The current owner is Robert Shirley, 13th Earl Ferrers former Conservative leader of the House of Lords.

Created: Thu, 18 Feb 2010, Updated: Fri, 19 Feb 2010