Hen Reedbeds Nature Reserve

Hen Reedbeds nature reserve Suffolk Wildlife Trust

By Steve Aylward

Suffolk Wildlife Trust

Avocet by Neil Aldridge

Suffolk Wildlife Trust

Bearded tit by David Tipling

Hen Reedbeds nature reserve Suffolk Wildlife Trust

By Steve Aylward

Hen Reedbeds nature reserve Suffolk Wildlife Trust

By Steve Aylward

Hen Reedbeds Nature Reserve

Hen Reedbeds is a blend of reedbeds, fens, dykes and pools created in 1999 to provide new breeding habitat for bittern and other wildlife.

Location

A1095 Halesworth Road
Southwold
Suffolk
IP18 6SH

OS Map Reference

TM471771

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A static map of Hen Reedbeds Nature Reserve

Know before you go

Size
55 hectares
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Entry fee

Free
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Grazing animals

Cattle and pony grazing.

Please refer to the links in walking trails below for more information.
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Access

Access for wheel chairs and visitors with poor mobility to the Bittern platform close to the car park. All other viewing platforms and hides accessed by crossing road which has steps from bridge and onto river wall. Paths can be uneven in places.

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

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Facilities

Bird hides

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

March to July

About the reserve

A rich mosaic of wonderful wetland habitat and a real treat for anyone interested in birds Hen Reedbeds is a blend of reedbeds, fens, dykes and pools created in 1999 to provide new breeding habitat for bittern and other wildlife. In summer look out for bittern, marsh harrier, heron, bearded tit, norfolk hawker and even hobby hunting over the reeds and dykes. Reed and sedge warblers sing to their hearts’ content alongside clouds of iridescent damselfly and nimble dragonfly such as the four-spot chaser and hairy dragonfly.

Far more secretive are the otter and water vole which also live here. For the best views of the largest mere follow the way-marked trail through the reedbed and across the road to the viewing platform overlooking Wolsey Creek Marshes, a good place to spot wildfowl such as gadwall, tufted duck, shoveler and also little grebes. At low tide scan the mudflats behind you for feeding waders – redshank, avocet and sandpiper are all regulars. Further along Wolsey Creek are two hides overlooking smaller scrapes and islands which often give views of godwits, oystercatchers, teal, little egrets and kingfishers. Created with support from The Heritage Lottery Fund.  

Contact us

Suffolk Wildlife Trust
Contact number: 01473 890089

Location map

Explore Hen Reedbeds from the air