Winterton Dunes National Nature Reserve

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Overview

The spectacular acidic dunes and heaths of the Winterton Dunes NNR are internationally important for the rare groups of plants and animals that they support. The reserve shows a habitat succession from the open sand and shingle beach, through shifting 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 other rarities. Skylarks and stonechats are often seen or heard on the reserve. Little terns and ringed plovers arrive in May, using shallow scrapes on the sandy beach to breed, while natterjack toads can be heard calling over considerable distances. Nightjars can also be heard ‘churring’ on warm summer evenings. The range of habitats provide suitable homes for many rare insects such as sand wasps, many dragonflies and damselflies and a variety of butterflies including the grayling and dark green fritillary.

Location

Winterton-on-Sea

About the area

The North Norfolk Coast is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and probably the finest of its kind in Europe. Here you’ll find a string of quaint villages and small towns – Holkham, Wells-next-the-Sea and Cley next the Sea are 21st-century favourites, while Sheringham and Cromer are classic examples of a good old-fashioned seaside resort where grand Victorian hotels look out to sea.

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Winterton Dunes National Nature Reserve

Winterton-on-Sea

01603 720788

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Winterton Dunes National Nature Reserve

Recommended by

Overview

The spectacular acidic dunes and heaths of the Winterton Dunes NNR are internationally important for the rare groups of plants and animals that they support. The reserve shows a habitat succession from the open sand and shingle beach, through shifting 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 other rarities. Skylarks and stonechats are often seen or heard on the reserve. Little terns and ringed plovers arrive in May, using shallow scrapes on the sandy beach to breed, while natterjack toads can be heard calling over considerable distances. Nightjars can also be heard ‘churring’ on warm summer evenings. The range of habitats provide suitable homes for many rare insects such as sand wasps, many dragonflies and damselflies and a variety of butterflies including the grayling and dark green fritillary.

Location

Winterton-on-Sea

About the area

Area image

The North Norfolk Coast is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and probably the finest of its kind in Europe. Here you’ll find a string of quaint villages and small towns – Holkham, Wells-next-the-Sea and Cley next the Sea are 21st-century favourites, while Sheringham and Cromer are classic examples of a good old-fashioned seaside resort where grand Victorian hotels look out to sea.

Explore Norfolk

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)