The most beautiful Suffolk nature reserves

The Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape, formerly known as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), is a beautiful stretch of England’s eastern coastline. It includes some of the most treasured Suffolk nature reserves, many of which are managed by conservation organisations such as the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, RSPB, and National Trust.

These nature reserves include RSPB Minsmere, Orford Ness National Nature Reserve, Dunwich Heath, Benacre National Nature Reserve and more, which we will cover in more detail in this guide. This protected area covers 441 square kilometres, extending from Kessingland in North Suffolk down to the Stour Estuary in North Essex.

Suffolk Secrets offers a wide range of charming holiday cottages perfectly positioned for exploring some of the county’s most stunning nature reserves. Whether you're staying near the heather-clad slopes of Dunwich Heath or the wildlife-rich lagoons of RSPB Minsmere, you’ll find a Suffolk Secrets cottage just a stone’s throw away.

Orford Ness National Nature Reserve

Orford Ness is one of the most unusual and atmospheric nature reserves in the UK – a wild, windswept shingle spit on the Suffolk coast, managed by the National Trust. Stretching for over ten miles between the River Alde and the North Sea, it’s a place where nature, history, and isolation combine to create a truly memorable experience. Once a secretive military testing site, Orford Ness has an interesting past that’s still etched into its landscape. The rusting remains of radar towers, Cold War bunkers and other defence buildings now sit among wild habitats, slowly being reclaimed by nature.

It was here that the Ministry of Defence once tested aerial photography equipment, early radar systems, and even components of Britain’s atomic bomb. The reserve is internationally important for its shingle habitat, one of the largest in Europe. These ridged pebble banks are home to specialist plants like sea kale, yellow horned poppy, and sea pea, which thrive in this harsh, salty environment. The lagoons and brackish marshes attract breeding and migrating birds, including terns, redshanks, and the occasional bittern.

Knettishall Heath Nature Reserve (SSSI)

Knettishall Heath is a beautiful landscape of lowland heath, grassland, and woodland covering 176 hectares that has remained largely unchanged since the Anglo-Saxon era. Its distinctive mix of habitats supports some of the UK’s rarest invertebrates and plant species. Managed by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, this Suffolk nature reserve is recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its ecological significance.

Knettishall Heath is home to several rare and nationally significant species. Notably, it supports populations of the grey carpet moth, which is unique to the Breckland region, and the lunar yellow underwing moth. The reserve also provides habitat for seven species of bats, including the nationally scarce barbastelle bat. In 2013, a conservation initiative introduced 19 wild Exmoor ponies to the reserve as part of a project, with the aim of restoring and maintaining the lowland heath. These ponies help manage the vegetation through grazing, promoting biodiversity and supporting the health of the ecosystem.

RSPB Minsmere

Tucked between heathland and sea on the Suffolk coast, RSPB Minsmere is one of the UK’s most celebrated nature reserves. It's a flagship site for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and a must-visit for anyone with a love of wildlife. Spanning over 1,000 hectares, this extraordinary Suffolk nature reserve offers a stunning blend of habitats, from shingle beaches to ancient woodland. 

What makes Minsmere so special is not just its diverse ecosystems, but the sheer abundance of life they support. It’s the perfect place for both seasoned birdwatchers and casual nature-lovers, with year-round opportunities to see some of Britain’s most iconic and elusive species.

Minsmere is perhaps best known as one of the few places in the UK where you can spot the bittern, a secretive reed-dwelling bird that has made a remarkable recovery thanks to conservation efforts here. Other standout species include the marsh harrier, the bearded tit, and the nightjar during summer evenings. In spring, expect to hear nightingales singing, and you may even catch a glimpse of the rare stone-curlew.

Carlton and Oulton Marshes Nature Reserve

Nestled on the edge of the Suffolk Broads near Lowestoft, Carlton Marshes is one of the most important wetland nature reserves in Suffolk. It is a peaceful, wildlife-rich haven that feels a world away from the nearby coast. Covering over 1,000 acres of marshes, fens, dykes, and meadows, Carlton Marshes is a landscape shaped by water and one that’s buzzing with biodiversity. Managed by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, the reserve is part of the Broads National Park and forms a key part of a rare and threatened landscape known as fenland.

Look closely and you might spot a water vole slipping through the reeds or catch the bittern flying across the reserve. Other wetland species such as otters, reed warblers, and snipe also thrive here, along with rare plants like bog pimpernel, marsh orchids, and greater bladderwort. In spring and summer, the meadows burst into life with wildflowers and butterflies, and in winter, the flooded fields attract large flocks of waders and wildfowl.

Bradfield Woods National Nature Reserve

Tucked away in the gently rolling countryside near Bury St Edmunds, Bradfield Woods National Nature Reserve is one of Britain’s finest and best-preserved examples of ancient woodland. Spanning around 70 hectares, this amazing Suffolk nature reserve is a shining example of how traditional conservation techniques can benefit biodiversity. It is managed by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, and the team coppices the woodland using hand tools and local knowledge to ensure the woodland stays as vibrant today as it was centuries ago.

The woodland is a living record of traditional coppice-with-standards management, where smaller trees are regularly cut back to encourage vigorous regrowth, while larger 'standard' trees are left to mature. This centuries-old practice has helped create a layered and light-filled woodland structure that supports a dazzling variety of plants, fungi, insects and birds.

Lackford Lakes Nature Reserve

Just a short drive from Bury St Edmunds, Lackford Lakes is a stunning nature reserve managed by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust. With its shimmering lakes, reed beds, and woodland trails, it offers a peaceful retreat for wildlife lovers and families alike. The reserve is a haven for birdlife all year round, from herons to migrating waders and winter wildfowl. It's also one of the best places in the region to spot the kingfisher, so look out for a flash of electric blue darting across the lakes. 

Whether you're a seasoned birdwatcher or simply looking for a gentle walk surrounded by nature, Lackford Lakes is the perfect spot to slow down and reconnect with the natural world. In spring and summer, Lackford Lakes is bursting with dragonflies dancing over the water, butterflies flitting through the wildflower meadows, and warblers singing from the reeds. In autumn, there are migrating birds that stop over en route to warmer climates and in winter, the reserve becomes a refuge for ducks, geese and swans.

Foxburrow Nature Reserve

Just a few miles from Woodbridge, Foxburrow Nature Reserve invites families and nature lovers to step into a rewilded paradise. Nestled in Melton, this 67-hectare reserve, managed by Suffolk Wildlife Trust, has a mix of restored farmland, ancient woodland, orchard meadows and tranquil ponds. The meadows at Foxburrow are grazed by livestock throughout the year, and there are many different types of wildlife to spot here, such as little owls, garden warblers, whitethroats and blackcaps. There is also a range of mammals and insects to spot.

Foxburrow Nature Reserve hosts a number of fun events for all ages, such as nest box building, a Halloween spectacular, Christmas woodland fun, guided walks and fun events for children such as Wild Tots, which is a weekly outdoorsy group for under-5s which includes bug hunts, pond-dipping, crafts and storytelling.

Rendlesham Forest

Rendlesham Forest, nestled just outside Woodbridge in Suffolk, is famous for the chilling UFO sightings of December 1980 and is often dubbed 'Britain's Roswell'. But beyond the extraterrestrial mystery, this lush woodland offers miles of pine-scented trails, wildlife encounters, and is perfect for active families and those wanting a blend of mystery and nature. Look out for deer, foxes, and a variety of woodland birds such as nightjars and woodlarks as you explore.

In late December 1980, US Air Force personnel stationed at RAF Woodbridge reported mysterious lights and a glowing object in the forest, followed by strange marks and burns in the clearing. Today, there is a UFO Trail at Rendlesham Forest, which is an easy 3-mile walk marked in purple, guiding visitors through areas tied to the reports, including a UFO sculpture at the alleged landing site.

Arger Fen and Spouse’s Vale Nature Reserve

Nestled near the village of Assington in South Suffolk near Sudbury, Arger Fen and Spouse’s Vale Nature Reserve offers a blend of ancient woodland, regenerating forest, and lush fen meadows in the Dedham Vale National Landscape. Managed by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, this 110-hectare reserve is a haven for biodiversity and a great destination for nature enthusiasts. Species-rich trees include oak, alder, ash, holly, crab apple, and one of only two ancient wild cherry woodlands in eastern England. In the spring, bluebells carpet the forest floor while woodland birds like blackcaps, whitethroats, and willow warblers fill the air with song.

Visitors can expect to share trails with badgers, grass snakes and common lizards basking in the glades, and other interesting creatures such as dormice and western barbastelle bats. For birdwatchers, there are up to 96 species to spot, such as siskin, and a range of butterflies, such as holly blue and comma butterflies. There is a network of marked trails, including weaving boardwalks and hilltop viewpoints.

Explore Suffolk

Whether you’re drawn to sweeping coastal views, quiet woodland trails, or the rich variety of wildlife that calls Suffolk home, the county’s nature reserves offer something truly special in every season.

Staying nearby with Suffolk Secrets means you can experience these natural wonders at your own pace. Pack your walking boots and binoculars, and let Suffolk’s natural beauty lead the way to an unforgettable escape.