Oversized UTR – Broads National Park

The Broads National Park is Britain’s largest protected wetland. Originally digging sites for peat (used for fuel in the 14th century) a series of floods turned the area into beautiful waterways teaming with life.

The Broads Authority strives to preserve the area for both its heritage and wildlife. Anybody looking for more information about the Broads are welcome to visit the newly opened Tourist Information office in Thurne, just bear in mind it’s quite a small building… because it was once a telephone box.

After being disused for some time, this 50 year old telephone box was bought by the Broads Authority for the lofty price of £1. It soon underwent restoration with a fresh red coat of paint and all 72 windows replaced, before being fitted with a traditional signage panel as well as an Oversized U-Turn providing audio interpretation.

Signage in the telephone box helps visitors get their bearings, while the U-Turn introduces them to various birdsound they may be able to hear while in the area. Visitors simply use the dial to select one of eight birdsounds, and then wind the handle to power the U-Turn Round. The result is a secure, modern solution that provides audio at any time of the year without the need for mains power.

In the words of the Broads Authority; “Iconic red K6 telephone boxes have been adapted for many different community uses including defibrillators, libraries, and mini-shops. It is believed that Thurne information centre with its audio player is the first of its kind, possibly claiming the title of the smallest National Park information centre in the world.”