Five Norfolk Broads waterside buildings given listed status

And these five waterside wonders - including a former end-of-pier helter-skelter and what may be England's last remaining eel sett - have been selected by heritage chiefs for extra protection.

The unique buildings - Dutch Tutch, Tower View, the Eel Sett and the Holt, all in Potter Heigham, plus Staithcote in Wroxham - have been listed at Grade II by the government on the advice of Historic England.

Listing means more control over what changes can be made to the buildings to protect their special characteristics.

What are the newly-listed Broads buildings?

Dutch Tutch, Potter Heigham

Dutch Tutch. the converted helter-skelter on the River Thurne at Potter Heigham (Image: James O Davies)

Dutch Tutch used to be a helter-skelter at the end of Great Yarmouth's Britannia Pier.
 
In December 1909, the pier caught fire and the helter-skelter's remains were taken to Potter Heigham.
 
A year later, the lower section was turned into a two-storey holiday cottage, with the very top of the structure used as an outbuilding.

Inside Dutch Tutch (Image: James O Davies) The chalet features a sitting room, kitchen and bathroom on the ground floor and two bedrooms on the first floor.

Tower View, Potter Heigham

Tower View (Image: The Historic England Archive, Historic England) Tower View was probably placed on the Potter Heigham riverbank in the first decade of the 20th century.  
  
The bungalow was created using prefabricated materials produced by Norwich-based Boulton & Paul Limited, which also created the huts for Scott’s Antarctic expedition.
  
It is thought the current building, which has a view across the river towards the now ruined Bastwick Tower, was once two huts which were bolted together.

Inside Tower View (Image: The Historic England Archive, Historic England) The bungalow faces a garden on the River Thurne and to the back is a public footpath connecting the riverbank to the medieval bridge at Potter Heigham.

The Eel Sett, Potter Heigham  

The Eel Sett (Image: The Historic England Archive, Historic England)  The tradition of eel catching in the Broads dates back to the medieval period.

An eel sett was a place where eel catchers put out nets at night, with a room for their accommodation.
 
There were once many setts along the rivers in Norfolk, but numbers dramatically dwindled in the 20th century, with the Eel Sett at Candle Dyke - which links the Thurne with Heigham Sound and Hickling Broad - thought to be the last in England.
 
A single storey with one room, the early 20th century building is a simple structure with vertical boarding, a tarred finish, a profiled red metal roof and a projecting ‘Eel Net Stop’ sign.

The Eel Sett (Image: The Historic England Archive, Historic England)

Inside are two wooden bunks, a stove, cupboards and a freestanding sink.

Inside The Eel Sett (Image: The Historic England Archive, Historic England)

The Holt and Boathouse, Potter Heigham 
 
Built in the early 20th century, The Holt was created for a Mr W Boning, who had a furnishing business in Great Yarmouth.

The Holt at Candle Dyke (Image: Stella Fitzgerald)

Much of the furniture inside the building, probably another Boulton & Paul structure, came from his shop.

The interior features a main living space, looking out over Candle Dyke, with four rooms around it.

Detailed features include a red tile fireplace, a kitchen with two pantries, and fixed candle holders in the rear bedroom.

Staithcote, Wroxham 

Staithcote (Image: The Historic England Archive, Historic England) Originally built in 1911 as a boathouse, Staithcote was extended with the addition of a waterside chalet above, by 1913.

The one-and-a-half storey property is timber-framed with weatherboarded walls to the boat house and a roof thatched with Norfolk reed.

Inside Staithcote (Image: The Historic England Archive, Historic England) Later additions include a 1960s floating staircase and Arts and Crafts-style doors.

'Ingenious designs'

Duncan Wilson, Historic England chief executive (Image: James Speakman/PA Media Assignments)

Duncan Wilson, Historic England chief executive, said: "These characterful buildings are special to the Broads National Park and it’s important that they are protected and celebrated.

"The ingenious designs, including a converted fairground helter-skelter and prefabricated designs by the creators of Scott’s Antarctic expedition huts, make the buildings important, and distinctive, local landmarks.
 
Kayleigh Judson, Broads Authority heritage planning officer, said: "Each one tells its own unique story about bygone eras in the Broads. 
 
"The waterside is a harsh environment, and these structures are particularly vulnerable to change.

"The new listings will help preserve their special appearance by giving them the protection they deserve, so their unique characteristics can be appreciated for generations to come."