The Guardian newspaper recently published an article about my hometown, Lowestoft, and how stunning the town centre and our golden beaches are. As a resident of this beautiful town, I completely agree with their sentiment. We are lucky to live in such a stunning location, with no shortage of amazing natural surroundings.

One thing the Guardian missed, however, was the other side of town that is part of The Boards National Park. This area is steeped with marshes and nature reserves, which adds to the overall richness and diversity of Lowestoft's and its surrounding area natural environment. It’s a shame that this aspect wasn't included in the article because it also offers a unique perspective on the town's natural beauty. 

The golden sandy, award winning, beach is just a 15-minute walk from my house, and the walk takes us through Gunton Meadow Nature Reserve, and then woods and the warren. It’s a delightful walk that showcases the stunning natural scenery that surrounds us. Alternatively, we can take a five-minute drive and take our kayaks and paddle boards out on The Broads. We also have Fritton Forest, Carlton Marshes and Lound Lake nature reserve all just a five-minute drive away, so we are truly spoilt for choice. 

The Boards is a vast network of rivers and lakes that span across Norfolk and Suffolk counties. Full of luxury cruisers, sailing boats and so much more, all cruising up and down the broads looking for a slice of tranquillity. The broads is also perfect for kayaking and paddle boarding. There are many special spots to visit, historic water mills, quaint riverside pubs, or a simple jetty where we stop, have a picnic and the kids play in the water. Day or early evening in the summer months, is just perfect. The kids love it too, it’s an adventure every time we go out.

Living in a place where I feel spoilt for choice in terms of natural surroundings is a real privilege. The abundance of natural beauty allows residents and visitors alike to immerse themselves in the wonders of nature and enjoy a fulfilling and enriching lifestyle. It provides opportunities for exploration, relaxation, and a deeper connection with nature. I truly appreciate and take advantage of these surroundings, especially with my ill health as I use it as medicine to harness the therapeutic benefits that nature offers; nature truly has a way of providing comfort, peace, and rejuvenation.

Lowestoft is a town that is rich in natural beauty and history, and it’s amazing to see it getting the recognition it deserves. The Guardian's article highlights how amazing our town centre and beaches are, but it’s important to remember that there's more to this place than just that. It provides a brief respite from the hustle and bustle of life, giving us a place to relax and unwind in nature's beauty. It's a wonderful reminder that we live in a stunning location, with amazing natural surroundings that add to the overall richness and diversity of our environment.

Finally, Lowestoft is famous for being the most easterly town and the first place to see the sunrise in the UK. We also had the world-famous graffiti artist Banksy visit a couple of years ago and leave some murals. 1 was damaged, 2 were removed and sold, but we have one original Banksy mural left.