Days out
Snettisham
SouthgateOpenSee opening timesCrunch along the sweeping beach, look out across the vast and dramatic Wash, and watch tens of thousands of birds take to the air, shimmering and whirling above the mudflats in a feathered cacophony.
About
Snettisham reserve sits on the stunning Norfolk coast, tucked into the huge Wash bay. Enjoy panoramic views across saline lagoons, salt marsh and a vast expanse of mudflats.
From late summer to early winter, tens of thousands of wading birds gather on the mudflats where they roost overnight. During an incoming tide, these birds are pushed closer to the beach and on especially high spring tides, vast flocks of Knot, Dunlin and Oystercatchers take to the air en masse as the water covers the mudflats. The commotion of thousands of wingbeats, excited calls and swirling flocks creates an exhilarating nature spectacle. We call this the 'whirling wader spectacle', a special event that doesn't happen every day. Check out our Snettisham Spectacular Dates and Times guide for your best chance of seeing it.
There will be no Snettisham Spectaculars until next March.
During the winter months, up to 40,000 Pink-footed Geese make their way from Iceland and Greenland to gather on the The Wash. At first light they take flight in close V-shaped formations of trailing skeins across the pale sky of a Norfolk dawn. The high-pitched 'wink-wink' sound of geese calling to each other resonates across the seascape then slowly diffuses as they head inland to find food for the day.
At a glance
80 spaces.
Please note that our car park has a height barrier of 2.1m (6' 9"), with no alternative parking for tall vehicles. Visitors with limited mobility may drive to within 100 m of first hide along a rough, gated track. Please contact the warden at least five working days before your visit to obtain an access permit.
Car park surface loose gravel.
Coach parties must please contact Titchwell Marsh nature reserve prior to visiting.
No lighting.
No overnight parking or camping.
Please don't park on the road, verges or in gateways, as it causes an obstruction for residents and emergency services.
We don’t have any toilets here. The nearest public toilets can be found at Heacham Beach South, which is a 10 minute drive from the reserve.
We don’t have any changing facilities here. The nearest public toilets can be found at Heacham Beach South, which is a 10 minute drive from the reserve.
Three signposted trails of different lengths and mixture of flat and undulating surfaces.
Access path has 53 steps with handrails, width restrictions and uneven, compacted gravel and sand surface.
Part of the Loop trail, from the special access parking area to the Shore hide is a cement concrete path adapted for wheelchair users and other visitors with access needs.
Three signposted trails of different lengths and mixture of flat and undulating surfaces.
Access path has 53 steps with handrails, width restrictions and uneven, compacted gravel and sand surface.
Part of the Loop trail, from the special access parking area to the Shore hide is a cement concrete path adapted for wheelchair users and other visitors with access needs.
We don’t have any toilets here. The nearest public toilets can be found at Heacham Beach South, which is a 10 minute drive from the reserve.
Assistance Dogs and other well-behaved dogs on leads welcome at all times.
Assistance Dogs and other well-behaved dogs on leads welcome at all times.
BBQs are a fire risk, endangering other people and the precious wildlife and habitats here. They are not permitted here at any time.
See what’s here
Contact Snettisham
snettisham@rspb.org.uk Snettisham, Beach Rd, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE31 7RA 01485 211973