Wildfire risk
With wildfire risk currently extremely high, we urge visitors to take extra care by avoiding any activity that could start a fire and immediately reporting any signs of smoke or fire to 999 to help protect people and wildlife. Please note, some of our nature reserves are closed due to wildfires, please check before you travel.
Advice on wildfire preventionThu 30 July 2026 12:00 Days out
North Warren
AldeburghOpenSee opening timesThis small but beautiful reserve has a lot to give – rugged heathland, woodland, reedbeds hiding Bitterns and Bearded Tits, and a shingle beach with dramatic views out to sea.
About
This delightful reserve on the Suffolk coast is a patchwork of grazing marshes, reedbeds, heathland and woodland. Thousands of ducks, swans and geese use the marshes in winter, while spring brings breeding Bitterns, Marsh Harriers, Woodlarks and Nightingales.
We have many species of butterfly and dragonfly at North Warren, and our wetland flowers are beautiful. Look for pink Ragged Robin, yellow Flag Iris, and yellow Marsh Sow Thistle as you stroll around the reedbed loop in the warmer months.
Check the skies above the reeds too. Hobbies hunt for dragonflies throughout the summer and on winter evenings, several Marsh Harriers often gather to roost. Around dusk in the winter months is when we see large Starling flocks, creating dramatic murmurations before their evening roost.
At a glance
The nearest car park is Thorpe Road Car Park, Aldeburgh (near the Scallop Aldeburgh). 2 Blue Badge spaces. Unlit pay-and-display at the south-eastern and north-eastern boundaries. Blue Badge parking spaces in the south-eastern car park, enabling access to a Tarmac path running north.
There are no toilets on sites, but facilities are available in Aldeburgh around half a mile away.
There are no toilets on sites, but facilities are available in Aldeburgh around half a mile away.
Three colour-coded circular trails of 5.5 miles (9 km), 4 miles (6.5 km) and 2 miles (3 km). Largely on flat ground or moderate inclines. The south-eastern section of the shore path is wide and surfaced. The remaining paths are narrow in places and with uneven surfaces.
Three colour-coded circular trails of 5.5 miles (9 km), 4 miles (6.5 km) and 2 miles (3 km). Largely on flat ground or moderate inclines. The south-eastern section of the shore path is wide and surfaced. The remaining paths are narrow in places and with uneven surfaces.
There are no toilets on sites, but facilities are available in Aldeburgh around half a mile away.
BBQs are a fire risk, endangering other people and the precious wildlife and habitats here. They are not permitted on the reserve at any time.
Please keep dogs under close control.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all parts of the reserve.
See what’s here
Contact North Warren
minsmere@rspb.org.uk North Warren, Aldeburgh, Suffolk, IP15 5BH 01728 648281