Brettenham Heath National Nature Reserve

Recommended by

Overview

Brettenham Heath NNR comprises three main habitat types: acid grassland, chalk grassland and heather heathland. Woodlands of silver birch, oak and Scot’s pine form part of the boundary. Over 240 plant species have been recorded at Brettenham Heath, including three nationally rare plants: fine-leaved sandwort, mossy stonecrop and maiden pink. Rabbits are very common, and essential for heathland grazing. They are predated on by foxes and stoats. Red deer are common, and muntjac and roe are quite often seen. Brown hares are seen frequently, particularly between February and June. Typical heathland birds found on Brettenham Heath include woodlark, curlew and redstart, and skylark breed every year. Buzzards are often seen, and the churring call of the nocturnal nightjar has been recorded. Insects on the heath include a number of particularly rare species such as the brush-thighed seed-eating beetle, the lunar yellow underwing moth and the day-flying forester moth.

Location

Bridgham

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.

Area image

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)

Bridgham Norfolk Things To Do in Norfolk

Brettenham Heath National Nature Reserve

Bridgham

0800 321600

Look for the VisitEngland award symbols on our visitor attractions – it means you’re in for a memorable and great day out.

Read more about our ratings

Brettenham Heath National Nature Reserve

Recommended by

Overview

Brettenham Heath NNR comprises three main habitat types: acid grassland, chalk grassland and heather heathland. Woodlands of silver birch, oak and Scot’s pine form part of the boundary. Over 240 plant species have been recorded at Brettenham Heath, including three nationally rare plants: fine-leaved sandwort, mossy stonecrop and maiden pink. Rabbits are very common, and essential for heathland grazing. They are predated on by foxes and stoats. Red deer are common, and muntjac and roe are quite often seen. Brown hares are seen frequently, particularly between February and June. Typical heathland birds found on Brettenham Heath include woodlark, curlew and redstart, and skylark breed every year. Buzzards are often seen, and the churring call of the nocturnal nightjar has been recorded. Insects on the heath include a number of particularly rare species such as the brush-thighed seed-eating beetle, the lunar yellow underwing moth and the day-flying forester moth.

Location

Bridgham

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)

Bridgham Norfolk Things To Do in Norfolk