Norfolk's National Nature Reserves - GOV.UK GOV.UK Winterton Dunes Ant Broads and Marshes The Ant Broads and Marshes NNR is part of the Ant Broads and Marshes Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Barton Broad is a medieval peat digging that drains into the River Ant. The surrounding fen was exploited for peat in the mid-19th century and was more recently managed for commercial sedge and reed. Main habitats: peatland Management: Norfolk Wildlife Trust (Catfield Fen Reserve is owned and managed by Butterfly Conservation) Features of interest The broad is ringed by areas of reedswamp that provide a nesting habitat for wildfowl such as gadwall, pochard, teal, shoveler and tufted duck. There is a large population of swallowtail butterflies, and a significant number of rare and uncommon dragonflies, moths, beetles and flies. The fens are home to the nationally rare crested buckler fern. Nationally important areas of carr woodland (fen woodlands dominated by alder) are also present.

Further information about the NNR , its wildlife and special features is on the Barton Broad page of the Norfolk Wildlife Trust website , and on the Butterfly Trust page on Catfield Fen . Directions The broad is accessed via the A1151. The villages of Irstead, Barton Turf and Neatishead are close to the broad and all have parking areas. The nearest train station is Hoveton & Wroxham , 8 kilometres to the south west. Local bus services are provided by First Group . There is a circular boardwalk on the broad near Irstead but elsewhere access is limited due to the marshy ground. You can take boat trips from the moorings near Neatishead. Catfield Fen is on the eastern side of the broad, 1.5 kilometres west of Catfield village. Catsfield is near the A149 and parking is available in the village. Due to the marshy ground the fen is only accessible on open days, although you can view the area from the boundary. Contact Butterfly Conservation for details of open days.

Blakeney Situated on the north Norfolk coast, the reserve is part of the Wash and North Norfolk Coast possible Special Area of Conservation (pSAC) for its many features of interest, including subtidal sandbanks, saltmarsh, intertidal mudflats and sandbanks, shallow inlets and bays and seal colonies. Main habitats: coastal Management: National Trust. Features of interest Further information about the NNR , its wildlife and how to visit is on the Blakeney page on the National Trust website) . Contact Email: blakeneypoint@nationaltrust.org.uk Telephone: 01263 740241 Morston Quay NR25 7BH Brettenham Heath 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 railway times and bus times, go to the traveline website .The nearest village where buses stop is Bridgham, which is 2.5 kilometres to the east. Bure Marshes Lying at the heart of the Norfolk Broads, Bure Marshes NNR is part of Britain’s biggest and best wetland, a mosaic of rivers, broads, ditches, wet woodland and open fens. Main habitats: wetland: open water (broads, dykes, turf ponds) tall-herb fen, reed and sedge beds, fen meadow, wet scrub and woodland.

Area: 451.5 hectares Management: Hoveton Great Broad and Woodbastwick Marshes are managed by Natural England, while Norfolk Wildlife Trust manages Ranworth Broad and Ebb and Flow Marshes Features of interest A fine example of typical broads undrained wetland, with a wide range of habitats and plant and animal communities in the succession from open water to carr woodland (wet woods dominated by alder and sallow). Breeding and wintering bird species including bittern, marsh harrier, reed, sedge and grasshopper warblers, bearded tit, and many wildfowl. The fens and waterways support many rare and notable insect species, swallowtail butterflies and Norfolk hawker dragonflies. Around and in the dykes and Broads you may also see some of the other 18 species of dragonflies and damsel flies, otters, water voles and grass snakes found throughout the reserve. For more details on visiting the reserve go to the Norfolk Wildlife Trust page on Ranworth Broad . For more information about seasonal highlights, managing the reserve and the reserve’s history, see Natural England’s pages on Bure Marshes in the National Archive .

Directions By train The nearest train station is Salhouse (4 kilometres) then public footpaths and quiet country roads link to Salhouse village. Woodbastwick is the next village, 6.5 kilometres from the station By bus There are frequent bus services 7 days a week to Salhouse village or Monday to Saturday to South Walsham, which is near the eastern end of the NNR . By car The NNR lies between the towns of Wroxham and Acle, 10.5 kilometres north east of Norwich, off the A1151 (Norwich to Stalham) or A47 (Norwich to Great Yarmouth). By boat Wroxham is the nearest main centre for boat hire.

Main access points: Salhouse Broad car park, Salhouse village, for the ferry service to Hoveton Great Broad Nature Trail, open April to mid-September and staffed by a Natural England reserve warden - TG 319150 Hoveton great Broad Nature Trail moorings 3 miles downstream from Wroxham, north bank of the River Bure, opposite Salhouse Broad - TG 318159 Ferry Road car park and moorings, Woodbastwick, for Cockshoot Boardwalk, open all year and is wheelchair accessible with disabled parking facilities nearby - TG 333165 School and community groups There are opportunities for higher education and community groups interested in wetland ecology and management to visit Woodbastwick Marshes. Contact the Senior Reserves Manager. Volunteers There are some opportunities for volunteers to join a small team carrying out practical management works and species survey. Contact john.white@naturalengland.org.uk or telephone 07899 901 566.

Contact For more information contact the Senior Reserves Manager: Email rick.southwood@naturalengland.org.uk Telephone; 01603 720788 For information about Ranworth Broad contact Norfolk wildlife Trust . Calthorpe Broad This National Nature Reserve is currently closed to the public. This will be because: the site is unsafe our tenure of the land does not allow public access the site is so fragile that any form of access would damage the wildlife interest Contact Telephone: 0300 060 3900 Dersingham Bog Dersingham Bog NNR is part of the Sandringham Royal Estate and includes the largest, most intact example of an acid valley mire in East Anglia. It is also one of the last remaining fragments of lowland heathland in south east England. To prevent disturbance to rare ground nesting birds and the grazing herd of Black Galloway cattle, dogs must be kept on a short lead (not more than 2 metres in length) at all times.

Main habitats: mire, heath and woodland Area: 165 hectares Management: Natural England Since the 1990s, Natural England has been working towards restoring the habitats on the reserve, so that important species that depend on the site can once again flourish. Features of interest The low-lying mire is dominated by bog mosses Sphagnum spp. Several uncommon plants are present including round-leaved sundew, oblong-leaved sundew, cranberry, bog asphodel and white beak-sedge. Dersingham Bog NNR supports nationally important numbers of breeding Nightjar. In 2004, 28 churring males was recorded, the highest number ever recorded on the site. More recently, the population appears to have stabilised at 18 to 22 pairs. Other notable breeding populations/species include woodlark 6 territories, grasshopper warbler 4 territories, tree pipit 14 territories, stonechat 2 pairs. The Greensand escarpment acts as an important landline for migrating birds and during the autumn and, to a lesser extent spring.

For details about seasonal highlights and the history of the site, see Natural England’s pages on Dersingham Bog in the National Archive . Directions By cycle Sandringham is on Sustrans National Cycle Route 1 There is no cycle access on the reserve, but a cycle rack is at the Wolferton car park. By rail The nearest train station is King’s Lynn , 10 kilometres south west of the reserve. By bus For details on bus services to Wolferton village and Sandringham, visit the Norfolk Green website. By car Two unsurfaced car parks are situated along the minor road to Wolferton village to the west of the A149. The ‘cliff top’ car park is located at TF6626 2840, whilst the ‘Scissors cross’ car park is located at TF6682 2804. School and community groups For any visits to Dersingham NNR , contact the Enquiry Centre on 0300 060 3900. Volunteers Volunteers play an important role in the management of Dersingham Bog NNR , helping with a wide variety of tasks.

To find out more contact Thomas.Bolderstone@naturalengland.org.uk . Contact To find out more about the reserve contact the Enquiry Centre on 0300 060 3900. To find out about volunteering opportunities please contact Tom Bolderstone at Thomas.Bolderstone@naturalengland.org.uk . Foxley Wood Foxley Wood NNR is the Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s premier woodland reserve and the largest remaining ancient woodland in the county. The site is a good example of how an ancient woodland can be restored following coniferisation. Main habitats: woodland, wood pasture Area: 125 hectares Management: Norfolk Wildlife Trust. Features of interest Further information about the NNR , its wildlife and how to visit is on the Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s page on Foxley Wood . Contact Email: info@norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk Telephone: 01603 625540 Hickling Broad Hickling Broad is located 23 kilometres north east of Norwich. It is part of the Upper Thurne Broads and Marshes Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which includes Horsey Mere and Martham Broad.

The international importance of this area has been recognised in its designation as a Broads Ramsar site. Main habitats: broads with associated habitats Management: Norfolk Wildlife Trust; part of the reserve is being leased from a local landowner Features of interest Further information about the NNR , its wildlife and how to visit is on the Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s page on Hickling Broad . Contact NR1 1RY Holkham Holkham National Nature Reserve is a spectacular 11-mile stretch of fragile windswept coastline, including a maze of creeks and marshes, unspoilt sand dunes and tranquil pine forests. Main habitat: coastal Management: partnership between the Holkham Estate and Natural England (Holkham Estate are responsible for the management of all the land they own within the NNR , essentially all the terrestrial habitats, part of which is managed under the Higher Level Stewardship scheme, while Natural England manage the foreshore, below the mean high water mark, under lease from the Crown Estate.) The boundaries are shown on the Holkham boundaries map Features of interest Further information about the NNR , its wildlife and how to visit is on the Holkham Estate website .

Contact NR23 1AD Holme Dunes Holme Dunes is made up of a range of coastal habitats: intertidal sands and mud, sand and shingle bars, saltmarsh, sand dune, freshwater and salty pools and grazing marshes. Main habitat: coastal Management: Norfolk Wildlife Trust. Features of interest Further information about the NNR , its wildlife and how to visit is on the Holme Dunes website. Contact Telephone: 01485 525240 How Hill How Hill National Nature Reserve forms a large area of established wetland within the River Ant Valley and is of national and international importance for nature conservation. The reserve hosts an array of important habitats including fen, reedbed, wet woodland and shallow lakes. Main habitats: wetland Management: Broads Authority with fen and reedbed habitats managed for conservation under the Higher Level Stewardship scheme Reed and sedge beds suitable for traditional thatching products are still commercially harvested by local reed cutters. Features of interest Further information about the NNR , its wildlife and how to visit is on the Enjoy the Broads website .

Contact Email: dan.hoare@broads-authority.gov.uk Telephone: 01603 610734 Dan Hoare (Environment and Design Supervisor) Broads Authority NR1 1RY Ludham and Potter Heigham Marshes A traditionally-managed grazing marsh in the Norfolk Broads which supports a diverse range of wetland plant, insect and bird species. Due to presence of grazing animals and sensitive bird species, you should keep to the public footpaths. Main habitats: lowland wet grassland, fen meadow, open water in dyke system Area: 86 hectares Features of interest The dyke system, its edges trampled by cattle, supports over 100 species of aquatic and emergent plants, along with a rich community of invertebrates. In summer, damsel flies and dragonflies, including the rare Norfolk hawker, abound. Water voles live in and around the dykes, while many birds use the grass marshes for feeding and wintering. Grazing cattle keep the grass sward short. Trampling of the dyke edges creates a tussocky ‘berm’ colonised by emergent and fen plants.

Dykes which become overgrown or are in danger of filling in due to cattle trampling are cleaned out by mechanical digger. Water levels are controlled by sluices, excess water from nearby uplands being pumped out to the adjacent River Thurne. Directions Wroxham station is the closest, approximately 10 kilometres away. By bus There are regular buses from Wroxham 6 days a week. By car Ludham village is 1 kilometre from the NNR , off the A1062 Wroxham to Potter Heigham road. Parking near the NNR is extremely limited. By boat There is a small Broads Authority mooring at Womack Water (River Thurne) which overlooks the NNR . Visits can be arranged in advance for specialists and small groups by contacting the Senior Reserves Manager. Volunteers There are sometimes opportunities for volunteers who are interested in species surveys.

Contact john.white@naturalengland.org.uk or 07899 901 566 Contact Telephone: 01603 720788 Martham Broad Martham Broad is located in north-east Norfolk and supports a range of wetland communities including open water with rich aquatic flora such as holly leaved naiad and a rich assemblage of stoneworts. Main habitats: broads with tall herb fen, reedbed and reedswamp Management: Norfolk Wildlife Trust under the Higher Level Stewardship scheme Further information about the NNR , its wildlife and how to visit is on the Martham Broad pages of the Norfolk Wildlife Trust website . Contact NR13 4HS Paston Great Barn Paston Great Barn is one of the best preserved, and few remaining, thatched great barns left in England. It also supports the only known breeding colony of Barbastelle bats to be found in a building. The barn itself is closed to the public to minimise disturbance to the bats, but other access is provided.

Main habitats: medieval thatched barn with bat roost Area: 0.9 hectares Management: Natural England manages Paston Barn under a lease from the North Norfolk Historic Buildings Trust. Since taking on the lease of the site, Natural England has worked in close liaison with Paston Heritage Society to draw together information on the biological, historical and architectural history of the site. Features of interest The Great Barn itself is a designated Scheduled Ancient Monument. The complex of buildings attached to the Great Barn are Grade II* buildings. This does not include the south boundary barn or the southern boundary wall, as they are not attached to the Great Barn or other buildings. Paston Great Barn supports an exceptional assemblage of bat species and represents one of the few known maternity roosts of barbastelle bat Barbastella barbastellus in the UK (as well as the only confirmed barbastelle maternity roost in a building in the UK). In total, 5 species are known to have used the buildings: barbastelle, brown long-eared, common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle, Nathusius’ pipistrelle and natterer’s.

In addition, a further two species have been recorded from around the buildings: noctule and Daubenton’s Bat. Though general access into the barn is not allowed, it is possible to see bats flying around the grounds of the reserve from March to September, just after sunset. For more information about seasonal highlights and the reserve’s history, see Natural England’s pages on Paston Great Barn in the National Archive . Directions Paston Barn is located 1 mile west of Bacton gas terminal on the A149, south east of Paston village. By bus A local coach service number 34 stops at Paston bus shelter in Paston village. By train The nearest train station is North Walsham . School and community groups For any visits to Paston Barn NNR , contact the Natural England Enquiry Service on 0300 060 3900. Volunteers Other volunteering opportunities are available with the Norfolk Barbastelle Study Group . Contact To find out more about the reserve please contact the Natural England Enquiry Service on 0845 600 3078.

Redgrave and Lopham Fen Redgrave and Lopham Fen National Nature Reserve is an extensive area of spring-fed valley fen in the headwaters of the River Waveney on the Suffolk/Norfolk border. It is the largest fen in lowland England. The reserve has a range of distinct habitats including the internationally important saw sedge beds and purple-moor grasslands. It is also home to 1 of only 2 British populations of the fen raft spider Main habitat: peatland Management: Suffolk Wildlife Trust Features of interest For full information about the NNR , its wildlife and how to visit, see the Lopham Fen page on the Suffolk Wildlife Trust website . Contact Telephone: 01379 687618 Roydon Common Roydon Common NNR is the largest remaining area of heathland and valley mire in the county and is made up of a mixture of dry and wet heath, valley mire, rough pasture and woodland habitats. Main habitat: lowland heath Management: Norfolk Wildlife Trust Further information about the NNR , its wildlife and how to visit is on the Roydon Common website .

Contact Telephone: 01603 625540 Scolt Head Island Scolt Head Island National Nature Reserve is the prime example of an offshore barrier island in the UK. It is situated on a dynamic coastline and is steadily growing westward. Main habitats: coastal Area: 727 hectares Management: owned by National Trust and Norfolk Wildlife Trust and managed under lease by Natural England Features of interest The saltmarshes are considered to be among the finest in the UK and are the best documented and researched in the world. The island supports nationally and internationally important numbers of breeding terns (sandwich, common, arctic and little) and wintering wildfowl, and waders such as brent geese, shelduck, wigeon, teal and curlew. The plant communities of the dunes and saltmarshes are classic examples of their type. Vegetated shingle ‘lows’ contain plant species of national importance such as matted sea lavender and sea heath. Directions The island is on the North Norfolk coast, 10 kilometres west of Wells-Next-The-Sea.

By ferry The site is reached by a ferry from the village of Burnham Overy Staithe on the A149. The ferries are seasonal, operating from April to September. Further information on these is available from the Deepdale Visitor Information Centre . If you wish to reach the island in your own vessel you should refer to the Brancaster Harbour conditions of Launch and General Directions document . For launches from Burnham Overy Staithe see the information board at the harbour. By foot/cycle Burnham Overy Staithe is on the route of a major trail, the Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path , and is near National Cycle Route 1 . By train The nearest train stations are in Sheringham and King’s Lynn . By bus Bus services from the above stations to local villages are provided by Norfolk Green Contact This National Nature Reserve is currently closed to the public.

This will be because: the site is unsafe our tenure of the land does not allow public access the site is so fragile that any form of access would damage the wildlife interest Contact Telephone: 0300 060 3900 The Wash The reserve is a mix of open deep water, permanent shallow water, mudflats and saltmarsh, representing one of Britain’s most important winter feeding areas for waders and wildfowl. Main habitat: saltmarsh and mudflats Area: 8,880 hectares Features of interest The Wash is a place where you can experience one of the last truly wild areas in Britain It is also an established area for scientific research and monitoring. The saltmarshes provide an abundance of food for various birds, like Brent geese, wigeon and twite. During high tide, look out for birds like curlew, oystercatcher, knot and dunlin roosting on the saltmarsh, while overhead, aerial hunters like the marsh harrier can be seen hunting.

Walking along the sea wall (part of the Sir Peter Scott Walk) may provide you with the sight of a barn owl or short eared owl, and the chance to hear the skylark and the redshank haunting call. During the winter, the Wash is an important feeding ground for up to 400,000 visiting birds. Further information about the NNR , its wildlife and special features is in the Natural England leaflet about The Wash . Directions The Wash National Nature Reserve is in Lincolnshire and Norfolk. The reserve spreads across the southern reaches of the Wash and is accessed along minor roads from the A17, between King’s Lynn and Sutton Bridge. By cycle There is good cycle access, with cycle stands at both Kirton Marsh and Point Green. King’s Lynn is on the junction of National Cycle Route 1 and National Route 11 . By train The nearest station is Kings Lynn . By bus Bus services along the A17 between King’s Lynn and Sutton Bridge are provided by Norfolk Green and Cavalier Travel. However, the stops are on the A17, 4 miles from the reserve. On foot A number of footpaths and trails cross the reserve, providing access to the NNR from local towns and villages.

For more information on walks see Natural England’s page ‘The Wash: how to get there’ in the National Archive . Volunteers Volunteer reserve warden opportunities are available. Interested volunteers will be the ‘ears and eyes’ and provide important information about activities occurring on the Wash NNR , including helping with bird surveys, litter picking and path maintenance. Contact For any visits to the Wash NNR , contact the Enquiry Centre on 0300 060 3900. Weeting Heath A wonderful piece of Breck heath, famous for its rare Breckland flora and population of rare breeding stone curlews. Main habitats: lowland heath Management: Norfolk Wildlife Trust. Further information about the NNR , its wildlife and how to visit are on the Weeting Heath page on the Norfolk Wildlife Trust website . Contact Telephone: 01842 827615 Winterton Dunes These spectacular acidic dunes and heaths are internationally important for the rare groups of plants and animals which they support, in a habitat more common in northern Europe than England. Adders can be a hazard, especially to children and dogs, often on cool days when they may be slow to get out of the way.

Avoid walking though rough vegetation by keeping to paths, and keep dogs on leads. If bitten, try to keep still and calm and seek medical attention. Main habitats: coastal sand dunes, dune heath and slacks, freshwater pools Area: 109 hectares Features of interest The NNR shows good coastal habitat succession from the open sand and shingle beach, through embryo and fixed dunes to acid heathland and low-lying wet dune slacks, with areas of scattered scrub. In spring, migrant birds such as wheatear and ring ouzel pass through, often with rarities mixed in. Little terns arrive in May, settling on the beach to breed, while natterjack toads can be heard calling from considerable distances. Many plant flower now, before the sandy soils dry out in summer. The range of habitats here provide suitable homes for many rare insects such as sand wasps, many dragonflies and damselflies and a variety of butterflies including grayling and dark green fritillary.

Little terns and ringed plover nest in shallow scrapes on the sandy beach, nocturnal nightjars which use the heath to feed and breed can be heard ‘churring’ on warm summer evenings, and skylarks and stonechats are often seen or heard. The temporary pools in the dune slacks provide breeding sites for nationally important colonies of natterjack toads. Grey and harbour seals may be seen along the coast and beach throughout the year. Directions Most of the reserve is a coastal strip north of, and almost immediately adjacent to, the town of Winterton-on-Sea. To the north it extends as far as a local coastal landmark known as Bramble Hill, two kilometres to the east of the village of Horsey. On foot A public footpath runs along the coast from Hemsby, near Great Yarmouth to Horsey, and passes through the reserve, linking in with the extensive local footpath network. By cycle The nearest train station is in Great Yarmouth . By bus Bus services from Great Yarmouth to Winterton-on-Sea are provided by First Group .

By car From the A149 Great Yarmouth – Stalham road follow the B1159 to Winterton-on-Sea. Parking is available at the end of Beach Road, Winterton. The reserve begins a short distance to the north. School and community groups Many school and further education groups use the site for practical visits, often to demonstrate dune succession. Input from NNR staff, from brief introductions to guided walks, is available on request Volunteers There are opportunities for volunteers to assist with breeding little tern and grey seal visitor management, and species survey. Contact john.white@naturalengland.org.uk or telephone 07899 901 566 Contact Learn and talk about Holkham National Nature Reserve, National nature reserves in England, Nature reserves in Norfolk, Nude beaches, Protected areas established in 1967 SSSI , SAC , SPA , Ramsar Site and AONB Holkham NNR shown within Norfolk Holkham National Nature Reserve is England's largest national nature reserve (NNR). It is on the Norfolk coast between Burnham Overy Staithe and Blakeney , and is managed by Natural England with the cooperation of the Holkham Estate .

Its 3,900 hectares (9,600 acres) comprise a wide range of habitats , including grazing marsh , woodland, salt marsh , sand dunes and foreshore . The reserve is part of the North Norfolk Coast Site of Special Scientific Interest , and the larger area is additionally protected through Natura 2000 , Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar listings, and is part of both an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and a World Biosphere Reserve . Holkham NNR is important for its wintering wildfowl , especially pink-footed geese , Eurasian wigeon and brant geese , but it also has breeding waders , and attracts many migrating birds in autumn. A number of scarce invertebrates and plants can be found in the dunes, and the reserve is one of the only two sites in the UK to have an antlion colony. This stretch of coast originally consisted of salt marshes protected from the sea by ridges of shingle and sand, and Holkham's Iron Age fort stood at the end of a sandy spit surrounded by the tidal wetland.

The Vikings navigated the creeks to establish Holkham village, but access to the former harbour was stopped by drainage and reclamation of the marshes between the coast and the shingle ridge which started in the 17th century, and was completed in 1859. The Holkham estate has been owned by the Coke family, later Earls of Leicester since 1609, and their seat at Holkham Hall is opposite the reserve's Lady Anne's Drive entrance. The 3rd Earl planted pines on the dunes to protect the pastures reclaimed by his predecessors from wind-blown sand. The national nature reserve was created in 1967 from 1,700 hectares (4,200 acres) of the Holkham Estate and 2,200 hectares (5,400 acres) of foreshore belonging to the Crown . The reserve has over 100,000 visitors a year, including birdwatchers and horse riders, and is therefore significant for the local economy.

The NNR has taken steps to control entry to the fragile dunes and other areas important for their animals or plants because of the damage to sensitive habitats that could be caused by unrestricted access. The dunes are an essential natural defence against the projected rises in sea level along this vulnerable coast. Contents Publicly accessible part of the NNR Pasture and dunes Pines Tidal foreshore and salt marsh Roads and car parks Bird hides. SHI = Scolt Head Island NNR HB = Holkham Bay WS = Wells salt marshes (part of Holkham NNR) The reserve lies to the north of A149 coast road , starting just west of Burnham Overy Staithe and extending west past Holkham to Beach Road, Wells-next-the-Sea . It also includes the tidal salt marshes continuing further east to Blakeney . [1] Its total area of about 3,900 hectares (9,600 acres) makes it the largest NNR in England.

[2] The reserve can be accessed by footpaths from Wells and the local villages [3] including the Peddars Way/Norfolk Coast long-distance trail that traverses the main part of the reserve, and National Cycle Route 1 loops through the core of the NNR between Holkham and Wells. [4] There is a car park near Holkham village at the north end of Lady Anne's Drive that gives access to two bird hides , and another parking area at the end of Beach Road in Wells. To the east of the Wells channel, the reserve is mainly salt marshes and mud flats , and is difficult and potentially dangerous to access, although a public footpath runs along the southern edge of these tidal areas. [5] [6] The salt marshes on this coast are stated in the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) notification document to be "among the best in Europe ... the flora is exceptionally diverse". Holkham also has good examples of sand dunes , and the pines planted on the dunes have provided shelter for other trees and shrubs to become established, making this the only substantial area of woodland in the North Norfolk Coast SSSI.

[7] The dunes are created and altered by the elements, and the sand islands in Holkham Bay have formed only within the last 60 years. [5] The flat ground inland from the dunes is reclaimed salt marsh that was used as pasture until the 1940s, but converted to arable land during World War II . The value of the fields to wildlife was reduced by the resulting lower water table , but Natural England 's management measures have raised the water levels, attracting breeding and wintering birds. [5] Water management can also be used to ensure a high water table in summer, benefiting breeding waders, and drier conditions in winter, preferred by the geese. [8] The management of water levels and grassland increased the numbers of breeding wetland birds from 120 pairs of ten species in 1986 to 795 pairs of 26 species in 1994, and the number of wintering birds of four key wildfowl species rose from 1,215 to 17,305 in the decade from 1983/84.

[9] History[ edit ] The mound of Holkham fort is visible at the end of the raised track, formerly its only access. Norfolk has a long history of human occupation. Both modern and Neanderthal people were present in the area between 100,000 and 10,000 years ago, before the last glaciation , and humans returned as the ice retreated northwards. The archaeological record is poor until about 20,000 years ago, partly because of the then prevailing very cold conditions, but also because the coastline was much further north than at present. As the ice retreated during the Mesolithic (10,000–5,000 BCE), the sea level rose, filling what is now the North Sea . This brought the Norfolk coastline much closer to its present line, so that many ancient sites are now under the sea in an area now known as Doggerland . [10] [11] The coast at Holkham originally consisted of salt marshes protected from the sea by ridges of shingle and sand.

[12] A large Iron Age fort at the end of a sandy spit in the marshes could only be approached along the spit; it enclosed 2.5 hectares (6.2 acres) and remained in use until the defeat of the Iceni in 47 AD. [13] The Vikings navigated the tidal creeks to establish Holkham, the name deriving from the Danish for "ship town". [12] The Holkham Estate has been owned by the Coke family since 1609, and Holkham Hall , built by Thomas Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester between 1734 and 1764, is opposite the NNR entrance. [14] Until the 17th century, ships could navigate the tidal creeks to reach the staithe (harbour) at Holkham village, but local landowners began to reclaim the marshes from 1639, and the final embankment at Wells was constructed by the 2nd Earl in 1859, completing the conversion of about 800 hectares (2,000 acres) to farmland.

The 3rd Earl planted Corsican , maritime and Scots pines on the dunes in the late 19th century to shelter the agricultural land from wind-blown sand, [5] [12] which is carried inland when the wind speed exceeds three metres (10 ft) per second and blows from directions between northwest to northeast. [15] The Holkham National Nature Reserve was created in 1967 from 1,700 hectares (4,200 acres) of the Holkham Estate and 2,200 hectares (5,400 acres) of intertidal sand and mud flats belonging to the Crown Estate . [2] In 1986 the NNR was subsumed into the newly created 7,700 hectares (19,000 acres) North Norfolk Coast SSSI. The larger area is now additionally protected through Natura 2000 , Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar listings, and is part of the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty . [7] The coast from Holkham NNR to Salthouse , together with Scolt Head Island , is a Biosphere Reserve .

[16] Flora and fauna[ edit ] Birds[ edit ] Pink-footed geese leaving the grazing marshes at dawn Spring migration is relatively quiet, although sightings of ring ouzel and firecrest are possible amongst the more common arrivals. Breeding birds include lapwings , common snipe , pied avocets , common redshanks and marsh harriers on the grazing marshes, ringed plovers and little terns on the beach, and black-headed , herring and lesser black-backed gulls on the salt marsh. The small grey heron colony has been joined by little egrets , [17] and, from 2010, by Eurasian spoonbills . [18] The pines may occasionally have nesting siskins or common crossbills , and parrot crossbills bred in 1984 and 1985. [17] Holkham's north-facing coastal location can attract large numbers of migrating birds in autumn if the weather conditions are right, [19] [20] especially with a north to north-east wind.

[17] The common species may be accompanied by a wryneck , red-backed shrike or greenish warbler in August, with goldcrests , thrushes and finches later in the season, and perhaps red-breasted flycatchers and yellow-browed warblers . Vagrant rarities such as Pallas's , Radde's or dusky warblers may occur; [17] [21] a red-breasted nuthatch in 1989 was the first, and, as of 2012, the only individual of its species to be recorded in the UK. [22] Other animals and plants[ edit ] Brown hares and European otters are found all along the north Norfolk coast, but red squirrels disappeared from the Holkham pines by 1981. [7] The rare natterjack toad breeds at Holkham, [5] one of only two sites along this coast, [7] although the common frog , common toad and common lizard are widespread in appropriate habitats. [23] The pines and salt marsh protect and stabilise the dunes.

The green hairstreak , purple hairstreak , comma , hummingbird hawk-moth , broad-bordered bee hawk-moth and ghost moth are sometimes seen in the woods with the common butterfly and moth species, and a clouded yellow or Camberwell beauty may also occur in some years. [24] Grayling , small heath and common blue butterflies can be found in the dunes, [25] where there is also a large antlion colony, making Holkham one of only two locations for this predatory insect in the UK. [26] Dragonflies include the migrant hawker , southern hawker and ruddy darter . [24] On exposed parts of the coast, the muds and sands are scoured by the tides, and have no vegetation except possibly algae or eelgrass , but where the shoreline is more protected, internationally important salt marshes can form, with several uncommon species. The salt marsh contains glassworts and annual seablite in the most exposed regions, [5] with a succession of plants following on as the marsh becomes more established: first sea aster , then mainly sea lavender , with sea purslane in the creeks and smaller areas of sea plantain and other common marsh plants.

[7] Scrubby sea-blite and matted sea lavender are characteristic plants of the drier upper salt marsh here, although they are uncommon in the UK away from the Norfolk coast. [5] Recreation[ edit ] The reserve has many visitors every year, including horse riders on the beach. A 2005 survey at Holkham and five other North Norfolk coastal sites found that 39 per cent of visitors gave birdwatching as the main purpose of their visit. The 7.7 million day visitors and 5.5 million who made overnight stays in the area in 1999 are estimated to have spent £122 million, and created the equivalent of 2,325 full-time jobs. Holkham NNR is one of three sites within the SSSI that attract 100,000 or more visitors annually, the others being Titchwell Marsh and Cley Marshes . [16] The large number of visitors at coastal sites sometimes has negative effects. Wildlife may be disturbed, a frequent difficulty for species that breed in exposed areas such as Ringed Plovers and Little Terns, and also for wintering geese.

Plants can be trampled, which is a particular problem in sensitive habitats such as sand dunes and vegetated shingle. [28] The discovery of the nationally rare tiny earthstar fungus at Holkham led its finders to state that "The survival of this species in Britain would undoubtedly benefit from the construction of a boardwalk across this fragile and frequently-visited habitat." [29] The Little Tern colony at Holkham, holding seven per cent of the British population, is cordoned off in the breeding season, with signs explaining why people are excluded from the area. The dune vegetation can be damaged by too many people walking over it, leading to blowout , the rapid wind erosion of the sand. Boardwalks and steps enable visitors to reach the beach on foot without harming the dunes, [5] and horse riders and naturists are asked to stay on the beach and keep off the dunes. [30] [31] [32] As the climate becomes warmer in the future, there is likely to be more tourism pressure on the coasts, but the effects of this may be mitigated by a move towards lower-impact activities like bathing.

[33] The Norfolk Coast Partnership, a grouping of conservation and environmental bodies, divide the coast and its hinterland into three zones for tourism development purposes. Holkham dunes, along with Holme Dunes and Blakeney Point , were considered to be sensitive habitats already suffering from visitor pressure, and were designated as red-zone areas with no development or parking improvements to be recommended. The rest of the NNR is placed in the orange zone, for locations with fragile habitats but less tourism pressure. [34] Threats[ edit ] Vegetated dunes along the coast protect the reserve from flooding. The underlying geology of the North Norfolk coast is Cretaceous chalk , exposed at Hunstanton cliffs just to the west of the SSSI, but buried by soft Quaternary glacial debris for the entire length of the SSSI coast. [35] Unlike the soft, rapidly eroding cliffs further east, [36] the coast of the SSSI has shown a less consistent pattern, with a net accretion of beach material between 1880 and 1950.

[37] However, this coastline is threatened by climate change , with sea level rising an estimated 1–2 mm per year for the last 100 years, increasing the risk of flooding and coastal erosion. [38] Half the area of the salt marshes that formed in the lee of Scolt Head Island has been reclaimed in the last 300 years, creating ecologically important, but very fragile, grazing marshes. Although Holkham is low-lying and can flood in severe weather conditions, it is protected by the spit that developed at the Holkham Gap in the 1990s and the dunes along the coast, which are increasingly being stabilised by vegetation. [39] The Environment Agency 's management plan until 2105 is to rely on the natural protection of the dunes, intervening only if work is necessary to maintain their effectiveness in the face of a potential sea level rise of 1.1 m (3 ft) by that date. [39] [40] The shingle that makes up Scolt Head Island is moving westwards and southwards at up to 3.5 m (10 ft) per year.

This may affect the movement of sediment , and lead to some erosion of the dunes and beaches at Holkham, but should not destroy their effectiveness as a sea defence unless the island reattaches to the mainland at some date in the distant future. [38] Holkham National Nature Reserve on AboutBritain.com You are here: Attractions -> Things to Do in Norfolk -> Holkham National Nature Reserve Holkham National Nature Reserve Click Photo for Slideshow Holkham National Nature Reserve can be found on the Norfolk coast in the east of England; it is the largest National Nature Reserve (NNR) in England. It is flanked by Burnham Norton and Blakeney and is both a Site of Special Scientific Interest and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Earl of Leicester and the Crown Estates share possession of Holkham National Nature Reserve, which is managed by Natural England and Holkham Estates. In its position on the Norfolk coast, exposed to the winds and storms from the North Sea, Holkham NNR is an unique and important reserve, home to hundreds of rare and significant wildlife species.

The reserve requires and receives careful management to preserve it as a haven for Click Photo for Slideshow wildlife and for future generations to visit and enjoy this special place. On a coastline with several nature reserves, Holkham is the largest and most varied, with a diversity of creeks, saltings, sandspits and dunes, marshes, green pastures and pinewoods, it offers shelter and homes to many species of wildlife unique to this area. Most of the area can be explored by using the footpaths from the main settlements, or from the car parks. The central part of the reserve from Wells to Holkham Bay is well served by paths allowing access to the best wildlife habitats. Visiting During the Summer Months In late June and early July visitors to the Wells Dell will find Orchids. Little and common terns fishing in the harbour at Wells, is a common sight. Watch out for Little Terns, carrying fish to their chicks in the tern colonies. Marsh Harriers may be spotted displaying and passing food in mid air. Watch carefully for dancing ghost swift moths at sunset. Over the Saltings a purple mist of sea lavender can be seen.

Visiting During the Winter Months Visitors may be rewarded with sights such as Migratory birds, arriving in seablite bushes, exhausted after their flight in late October. Mixed flocks of finches, pipits and larks can be seen in Holkham Bay. In the fields beside Click Photo for Slideshow Lady Ann's Drive you are likely to see groups of white fronted geese, Brent geese, Pink footed geese and Wigeon. Large numbers of Pink Footed Geese leave from Bob Halls Sand at Wells. The Habitats The Foreshore At any time of year the foreshore is a delight with its wide-open space. Children will love beachcombing, and building sandcastles; while everyone will be delighted to spot a seal, which may be seen here. Wrap up warm for your walk, as this is an exposed place. Plants are few and far between; unable to put down roots and even shellfish have difficulty in finding food in the ever-changing sands. However at the mouth of the Wells Channel and parts of the eastern shore the muddy conditions provide plenty of food beneath the surface.

There are lugworms and cockles, which long-beaked wading birds such as oystercatchers and curlews have no difficulty in finding. While the shorter beaked redshank, dunlin and grey plover search over the surface of the mud, finding worms and mussel larvae. Energetic birds like ringed plovers and sanderlings are attracted to the tide-line, running backwards and forwards between the breaking waves to collect their favourite food. Saltmarsh Inlets and creaks sheltered from the pull of the tides are where saltmarsh develops. Sediments from the sea gather and over years layers Click Photo for Slideshow build up, summer winds and sunshine dry out the lower mudflats and become frosted with salt crystals. The only plants to survive the salty desert conditions are seablite and glasswort. On the middle and upper levels of Holkham's saltmarshes several plants thrive, such as Sea Aster, which resembles Michaelmas daisies with pale magenta flowers. Widespread coverings of Sea Lavender produce a soft blue mist and clumps of Matted Sea Lavender can also be found.

The upper marshes are distinctive by the dark green stocky shrubs of Seablight, which is common along this coast. It provides the first shelter for birds who may have been blown off course as they arrive on this coast in October. During the breeding season on the mid and upper marshes, you can hear the worried call of the Redshank from its nesting ground in the tussocks. It feeds in the creeks and muddy saltpans. The marshes are still a busy area in winter, with Brent Geese, Shelduck and Waders busily grazing; highlighted by the evening sunlight against the wide horizon of the Saltmarshes. Nature lovers and bird watchers visit the Holkham NNR at this time of year to appreciate one of the wildlife highlights of Europe. Dunes Although Britain's climate is different to that of the world's well-known deserts, where parched days, cold nights Click Photo for Slideshow and mountains of sand are affected by storms, much of the east coast of Britain bounded by the North Sea storms suffer similar effects. The landscape of dunes at Holkham can change quickly, due to the effect of harsh winds and water.

The high dune islands in Holkham bay have built over the last sixty years, but after harsh storms the higher ridges can disappear overnight. Plants in this environment have to be hardy to survive. Sea sandwart, sand couch grass and marram grass help to bind loose sand and create the foundations of the dunes. These early dune and shingle systems create nesting areas for shore birds. Ringed Plovers and Oystercatchers build nests among flotsam and marram roots and lay pebble patterned eggs. Summer visitors to Holkham are Little Terns, who can be seen offshore diving for fish. To give vulnerable birds space and a chance to raise their young, some colonies are cordoned off. The established dunes are home to plants such as bee orchid and carline thistle. Creatures who make their home here are wasps, bees and butterflies like the grayling, small heath and common blue. In the evenings Natterjack Toads leave their burrows to join in the chorus at the spawning pools. Strange as it may seem sand dunes are frail and trampling Click Photo for Slideshow feet and wind erosion easily destroys the plants struggling to survive.

Boardwalks and steps are provided for visitors to cross the beach without damage to the vegetation. Pinewoods and Scrub The pinewoods come as a welcome change after walking along the beach, the woodland is sheltered from the wind and the carpet of pine needles absorbs sound. You may however be startled by a flight of Crossbills tearing at the cones or a grey squirrel busy about its business. There are three varieties of pines in the woods; Corsican Pines have grey trunks and small cones; Scots Pines have orange upper trunks and Maritime Pines, which have large cones growing in groups in the tree tops. The high canopy keeps out much of the light making it difficult for plants to grow, however a brave few are to be found, like creeping lady's tresses orchid and yellow birds nest. On the edge of the wood are Holm Oaks, which were planted with the pine trees by the third Earl of Leicester who had them taken from Holkham Park where they had grown-up since importation in the 18th century from the Mediterranean.

On the inland side the wood is bordered by deciduous undergrowth, which provides natural nesting sites and feeding places in summer for Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Click Photo for Slideshow and Willow Warblers. The main Pinewoods at Holkham Gap takes you through the scrub. At any time of year it is a good place to see birds. Reclaimed Saltmarsh There is a stretch of level farmland flanked by the edge of the pinewood and the coast road, which was domesticated in the 18th and 19th centuries, used for browsing cattle and sheep. During the Second World War some of this was ploughed to grow arable crops, with the result that the water table was lowered and the marshes dried out and was used for growing winter cereals, which did not attract wildlife. Now however in an attempt to bring back wildlife, a scheme of dams and water control points has been set up to raise water levels and has been successful in attracting back the wildlife to this area. The inhabitants such as Lapwing and Snipe have made an exciting recovery. Avocet, Marsh Harriers and Shovelers have returned to colonise the marshes again.

So successful has this enterprise been, that recent top counts of 7,000 Brent Geese, 20,000 Pink Footed Geese and 13,000 Wigeon are over wintering at Holkham. For an unforgettable experience, visit a hide in late evening overlooking the golden marshes in the direction of Holkham Park, to see the Geese flight out. Share this article Holkham Bay Beach | Holkham, Norfolk | UK Beaches Holkham Bay Beach Holkham, Norfolk, England, UK Feature picture © Julian Dowse licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence Holkham Beach is part of the Holkham estate and within one of Britains largest nature reserve. A large sandy beach on the Norfolk coast path backed by sand dunes, marshland and pine woods. The beach is nearly 1km wide at low tide and nearly 6km (4 miles) long. Ideal for families that want to get away from amusements and arcades to play on the beach and walk in the woods. On sunny calm days traditional sand building and swimming is the activity to do whilst on windy days take to walking and kite flying.

Horse riding on beach only with a permit. Facilities Norfolk historic towns and villages | Historic Norfolk Guide | Heydon - Knapton Knapton Knapton is a small village in north Norfolk, close to the coast. The village dates to before the Domesday Book. There were traditionally two manors in Knapton. One, Knapton Greenes, is held by the college of Peterhouse, Cambridge. Knapton, Norfolk, England It was broken up when the Danes created the Kingdom of York in the late 9th century This Day in British History 18 January, 1486 Henry VII marries Elizabeth of York Elizabeth is the daughter of Edward IV. The marriage efectively united the Houses of York and Lancaster, ending the Wars of the Roses Monarch Mayhem He was the son of James I of England and Anne of Denmark Wells-next-the-Sea (Self catering) Bluebell cottage was our home for nearly ten years during which time we have renovated it to a very high standard, which ensures that it has a real home from … Sleeps 6 This detached property offers outstanding accommodation in the centre of the popular, historic market town of Holt and can sleep eight people in four bedrooms.

Sleeps 8 The Tudor Rose Hotel The Tudor Rose Hotel is conveniently situated in the historic centre of Kings Lynn very near to the more modern shopping centre being just off the Tuesday Market Place. The hotel is full of character with the most ancient sections of the building dating to the late 14th century … more >> More hotels in Norfolk >> Lifeboat Inn Lifeboat Inn is a three star property located in the picturesque village of Thornham near Hunstanton. Just a two minute walk from the marshes and sand dunes. The hotel has been receiving guests since the 16th century. The Inn's original character has been carefully preserved throughout the hotel. Lifeboat offers … more >> More hotels in Norfolk >>

Question: England’s largest nature reserve is at Holkham, in which county?
Answer: Norfolk