Benacre National Nature Reserve

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Overview

Benacre NNR, on the Suffolk coast either side of the village of Covehithe, includes the reedbeds and lagoons of Benacre, Covehithe and Easton Broads, plus the woodlands and heathlands on the higher ground between them. Over 100 breeding bird species use the reserve, including the marsh harrier, bearded reedling, water rail, a variety of ducks, and, in some years, the very shy and elusive bittern. Little terns are summer visitors to the shore and the heathlands are home to woodlark, wheatear and hobby. A typical East Anglian shingle flora is found along the shore, featuring plants such as the yellow-horned poppy, sea kale, sea holly and prickly saltwort. The northern dunes support extensive areas of sheep-bit and the rare grey hair grass. The reedbeds support marsh sower thistle, marshmallow and golden dock while on other parts of the reserve you can see wild daffodil, climbing corydalis, orpine and greater broomrape.

Location

Covehithe

About the area

Suffolk is Constable country, where the county’s crumbling, time-ravaged coastline spreads itself under wide skies to convey a wonderful sense of remoteness and solitude. Highly evocative and atmospheric, this is where rivers wind lazily to the sea and notorious 18th-century smugglers hid from the excise men.

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Benacre National Nature Reserve

Covehithe

01502 676171

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Benacre National Nature Reserve

Recommended by

Overview

Benacre NNR, on the Suffolk coast either side of the village of Covehithe, includes the reedbeds and lagoons of Benacre, Covehithe and Easton Broads, plus the woodlands and heathlands on the higher ground between them. Over 100 breeding bird species use the reserve, including the marsh harrier, bearded reedling, water rail, a variety of ducks, and, in some years, the very shy and elusive bittern. Little terns are summer visitors to the shore and the heathlands are home to woodlark, wheatear and hobby. A typical East Anglian shingle flora is found along the shore, featuring plants such as the yellow-horned poppy, sea kale, sea holly and prickly saltwort. The northern dunes support extensive areas of sheep-bit and the rare grey hair grass. The reedbeds support marsh sower thistle, marshmallow and golden dock while on other parts of the reserve you can see wild daffodil, climbing corydalis, orpine and greater broomrape.

Location

Covehithe

About the area

Area image

Suffolk is Constable country, where the county’s crumbling, time-ravaged coastline spreads itself under wide skies to convey a wonderful sense of remoteness and solitude. Highly evocative and atmospheric, this is where rivers wind lazily to the sea and notorious 18th-century smugglers hid from the excise men.

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Covehithe Suffolk Things To Do in Suffolk