Norfolk is blessed with no fewer than six nature reserves, each habitat carefully conserved by expert teams to protect the wildlife that call it home. Rich in biodiversity, not only are nature reserves a haven for birds, mammals and insects, they also support delicate marshes, thriving wetlands and ancient forests. Come to witness the largest grey seal colony in England, vast flocks of migrating birds, herds of free-ranging deer, and feel a little closer to nature. Accessible boardwalks and bird hides, areas that welcome dogs, and visitor centres and cafés make the whole experience a wildlife-rich pleasure.
Seal spotting at Blakeney Point
Blakeney Point on Blakeney National Nature Reserve is England’s largest grey seal colony with around 4,500 seal pups born annually between October and January. Take a boat trip, departing from Morston Quay, on providers recommended by the National Trust – it’s popular so best to book ahead. Trips take about an hour and are an opportunity to watch basking seals and flocks of migrating birds. The more inquisitive seals may swim close to the boats. It is also possible to walk to the colony from Cley beach. It’s a 6-mile round trip and a protective cordon will limit how close you can get to the main seal colony. Remember to wear decent shoes, wrap up warm and bring a pair of binoculars.
Titchwell RSPB Nature Reserve
On the north Norfolk coast, midway between Titchwell and Thornham, Titchwell Marsh is blessed with a diverse habitat of reedbeds, saltmarsh and freshwater lagoons where Avocets, Bearded Tits and Marsh Harriers nest. Fed by natural springs and fronting a vast, sandy beach you can take a seat among wildflowers, and watch the comings and goings of thousands of wild birds including birds of prey scanning the landscape on the hunt. Follow trails across wild marshes and beside quiet pools teeming with wildlife, stroll across the unspoilt beach, find a secluded spot to enjoy nature. One of the trails is dog-friendly. Finish up at the visitor centre and onsite café.
Holkham Hall Deer Park
Holkham Estate’s 677-acre deer park is home to five of the six species of deer that live in Britain: red, fallow, muntjac, roe and Chinese water deer. Some of these elegant creatures are naturally shy and elusive but you’ll always spot the large herd of fallow deer free-ranging around the park, hall, lake and woodland, and amongst the evergreen oaks brought to Holkham from Italy. Venison was in vogue during the Victorian era and fallow deer were introduced to the park in 1844 by the second earl. The stags rut at dawn and dusk between October and November and the does give birth to fawns in mid-June. You can also visit Palladian-style 18th century Holkham Hall and its stunning gardens bursting with colourful planting and buzzing insects.
Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve
Located in the Wensum Valley, north Norfolk, the Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve is a 200-acre site with seven bird hides dotted across a range of landscapes including meadow, woodland, fen and wetland habitats. Fully accessible via well-kept boardwalks and easy-use hides with ramp access and low-level windows for wheelchair users, twitchers and wildlife lovers can watch wading birds, beavers, otters and birds of prey including hawks and owls. A biodiverse haven for butterflies, moths, dragonflies, orchids and fungi, Sculthorpe Moor’s 18 hectares is cared for by national charity, the Hawk and Owl Trust, founded to conserve and protect wild birds of prey. Check the website for regular events such as pond dipping, guided walks and informative talks.
Norfolk Wildlife Trust Cley and Salthouse Marshes
The Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s oldest nature reserve was purchased in 1926 to be held ‘in perpetuity as a bird breeding sanctuary’. Today the 300-hectare site is one the country’s most popular birdwatching hotspots welcoming more than 11,000 visitors each year. With six hides (four of which are accessible via boardwalks), you’ll enjoy panoramic views across pools and marshes that are specially cared for to attract breeding and migratory birds and act as a blueprint for other nature reserves in biodiversity and habitat management. Come to spot wildfowl and waders, bittern, marsh harrier and bearded tits, then learn more in the eco-friendly visitor centre plus café, shop and viewing areas that reach to the coast.
Browse all our special places to stay in Norfolk >
Want more travel inspiration? Get our email updates direct to your inbox >
Sign up >
Carmen McCormack
Guest Expert
Carmen is a freelance writer specialising in travel. She once lived in a bus in north Wales, skipped off to study in Barcelona, and now calls Bristol home. When she’s not tapping away on her laptop, she can be found reading (a lot), lake swimming (a little), and pottering on the allotment with husband and two kiddos. She’s currently dreaming about cold cerveza and torta in Mexico.
You might also like
Pocket guide to Norfolk
Carmen McCormack
Guest Expert
5 min read
Food lovers rejoice: Norfolk’s finest pubs, restaurants and chippies
Carmen McCormack
Guest Expert
5 min read
Luxurious living in lovely Norfolk
Carmen McCormack
Guest Expert
5 min read