Scrub, trees and bracken covered most of the site before it became a National Nature Reserve but most has been cleared since 1982 to restore the plant communities and patterned ground. Bracken and, to a lesser extent, scrub still covers several hectares of the NNR. Woodland of silver birch, oak and Scot’s pine is within the NNR and around part of the boundary. During the bird breeding season (March to October), much of Brettenham Heath is closed to the public. Main habitats: lowland heath Area: 233 hectares Features of interest Acid grassland covers more than half of Brettenham Heath, with chalk grassland and heather heathland occupying smaller areas. Underlying Brettenham Heath is the chalk bedrock which was laid down in shallow seas during the Cretaceous period. This rock is many tens of metres thick, and close to the soil surface in places. The soils are predominantly sands overlying the chalk. The depth of soil above the chalk is variable, ranging from a few centimetres in the east/south to several metres deep in the west/north. Where the soil is shallow it is chalky, but where the soil is deep it is mildly acidic. For more information about the geology, history and notable species, see Natural England’s pages on Brettehnam Heath in the National Archive. Directions Brettenham Heath is 4 miles north-east of Thetford, Norfolk, on the south side of the A11 dual carriageway. There is a car park adjacent to Brettenham Heath on High Bridgham Road. From the A11, take the turning signed ‘The Heath’ and the car park is on the left after about 800 metres. The nearest railway station is at Thetford. For details of bus operators and timetables go to the Norfolk County Council website.The nearest village where buses stop is Bridgham, which is 2.5 kilometres to the east.