Bradfield Woods National Nature Reserve

A view through Bradfield Woods with green trees and shrubs creating a tunnel of foliage.

Bradfield Woods - Andrew Bennett

Bluebells at Bradfield Woods – Alex Lack

Bluebells at Bradfield Woods – Alex Lack

Sunlight breaking through bare trees with frost on the ground.

Bradfield Woods - Anneke Emery

Bradfield visitor centre Suffolk Wildlife Trust

Learning centre at Bradfield Woods

Silver washed fritillary by Steve Aylward

Silver washed fritillary by Steve Aylward

Bluebells Suffolk Wildlife Trust

By Steve Aylward

Bradfield Woods National Nature Reserve

One of Britain's finest ancient woodlands, Bradfield Woods is a unique wood that has been under continuous, traditional coppice management since 1252.

Location

Bradfield Woods, Felsham Road, Bradfield St George
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk
IP30 0AQ

OS Map Reference

TL935581

View on What3Words

A static map of Bradfield Woods National Nature Reserve

Know before you go

Size
70 hectares
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Entry fee

Free
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Parking information

Free car park
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Grazing animals

Seasonal sheep grazing.

Please refer to the link in walking trails below for more information.
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Walking trails

Do’s and don’ts when walking with livestock       
There are 5 miles of trails with 3 coloured trails of different lengths, just pick up a trail guide under the notice board near to the entrance or at the visitor centre when you arrive.

Trail map

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Access

Unsuitable for wheelchairs.

No drone flying without express permission.
(Permission will only be granted in exceptional circumstances)

If you'd like to visit this reserve as a group, please contact us in advance.

Find out why we ask you to keep your dog on a short lead at most of our reserves and why this is important for wildlife conservation. Why we ask dogs are kept on a lead

Dogs

image/svg+xmlOn a lead
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Facilities

Toilets
Picnic area
Accessible toilet

When to visit

Opening times

Reserve open all year, education centre open for events.

Best time to visit

March to May, July to August, October to November

About the reserve

Bradfield Woods is one of Britain’s finest ancient woodlands and is a glorious haven for wildlife. Bradfield woods is a working wood that is unique as it has been under continuous traditional coppice management since 1252. Coppicing is a traditional method of woodland management where stems are cut at ground level promoting vigorous re-growth. Some ash coppice stools in Bradfield Wood are thought to be over 1000 years old. 

If you are interested in buying coppice products from Bradfield Woods please click below:

Coppicing products for sale

As the coppice shoots regenerate, their dense bushy growth provides excellent cover for migrant songbirds such as garden warbler, blackcap and willow warbler. Mammals including the stoat, yellow-necked mouse, dormouse and badger are also resident. On sunny summer days the sheltered rides create the prefect habitat for butterflies, of which there are 24 species. Of special note is the white admiral butterfly which can be seen sipping nectar from the flowers on bramble or look up into the top of an oak tree to catch a glimpse of a purple hairstreak.

Bradfield Woods has benefited from a gift in the will of Peter Mitchell:

Bradfield Woods legacy story

Contact us

Suffolk Wildlife Trust
Contact number: 01473 890089

Location map

Coppicing at Bradfield Woods

In this short film, Alex Lack (Woodlands Warden at Suffolk Wildlife Trust) explains the long tradition of coppicing at Bradfield Woods and the vital role this ancient woodland management technique plays in creating wildlife-rich habitats.

Featuring Alex Lack. Filmed and editted by John Collins.

Explore Bradfield Woods from the air

Events coming soon:

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