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Minsmere

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Address
RSPB Minsmere, Sheepwash Ln, Saxmundham IP17 3BY
Grid ref
TM473672

Discover some of the UK's rarest wildlife and enjoy family-friendly activities at Minsmere. Choose an idyllic walk or head to the coastal lagoons to see an impressive variety of birds, including avocets, bearded tits and bitterns. If you're lucky, you might see an otter around the reedbed pools.

Plan your visit

Opening times

Open from dawn to dusk. 

Entrance charges

Free entrance to RSPB members
Yes
Adults
£9
Children
(under 19) £5
Free entrance for first child
Free entrance for under 5s
Student
£6
Free entrance for carers
Yes
Car park cost

Free

Facilities

  • Visitor centre
  • Car park
  • Toilets
  • Accessible toilets
  • Baby changing
  • Cafe
  • Picnic area
  • Guided walks
  • Viewing point
  • Nature trails
  • Shop
  • Educational facilities

Accessibility

  • Download full accessibility statement (PDF)

How to get here

By train

Darsham is the closest station (5 miles).

By bus

Leiston is the nearest scheduled bus (4 miles). A demand-responsive bus will meet local buses and trains from 7am - 7pm Monday to Saturday. It must be booked the day before travelling by calling Suffolk Links Blyth on 01728 635938.

By bike

National cycle route 1 links with regional route 42 (Suffolk Coast Cycle route).

By road

The reserve is sign posted with brown tourist signs from Westleton.

Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.

Get directions from Google Maps
RSPB reserves on Google Earth

Group booking information

If you are visiting Minsmere as a group, please contact us in advance to check availability. We will meet all pre-booked groups on arrival to give a quick introduction to Minsmere, highlight what species have been seen recently or what events are taking place, and answer any questions.

Guided walks may be available if requested at the time of booking. Please note that we can only accept two group bookings per day.

Schools booking information

Your class can enjoy hands-on practical activities within easy walking distance of the well-equipped Discovery Zone and classroom. Each programme is designed to last two hours - sessions run between 10am-12pm and 12.30-2.30pm. Two programmes can be combined to make a whole day visit. 

We have two classrooms in the Discovery Centre. These are level throughout with a flexible layout, hearing loop and accessible toilet.

What will the weather be like?

12 degrees, Partly cloudy (day)

Downloads

Helping you find your way around. PDF, 149Kb

Minsmere trail map

Contact Minsmere

  • RSPB Minsmere, Sheepwash Ln, Saxmundham IP17 3BY
  • minsmere@rspb.org.uk
  • 01728 648281
  • @RSPBMinsmere
  • Find us on facebook

What will you see?

Our star species

    Avocet

    Avocet

    The famous scrape hosts a large colony of avocets.

    Bearded tit male

    Bearded tit

    Bearded tits can be seen flitting over the reeds all year round.

    Bittern

    Bittern

    Minsmere holds a sizeable proportion of the UK population of bitterns.

    Marsh Harrier male in flight

    Marsh harrier

    The extensive reedbeds play host to several breeding marsh harriers.

    Nightingale

    Nightingale

    Nightingales can be heard singing in the deciduous woodland in spring.

Recent sightings

Bearded reedling, bearded tit, male perched in reedbed

Find out about recent wildlife sightings at Minsmere.

read more

Seasonal highlights

  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter

In spring, the first wading birds move through on their way north. Look for the dramatic switchback display flights of marsh harriers above the reedbeds and listen for deep booming call of the elusive male bittern.

During summer, look for young avocets, common terns and gulls on the Scrape. The first spotted redshanks, ruffs and other wading birds begin to return from the Arctic from late June. The heaths turn a stunning purple as the heather begins to flower, while nightjars churr at dusk, when you may spot a glow-worm too.

In Autumn, migration is in full swing with a continuous stream of birds passing through. Wading birds on the Scrape may include curlew sandpipers, little stints or ruffs and perhaps a rare visitor from North America. The red deer rut is the star attraction on the heath during October.

Throughout winter, large flocks of ducks gather on the Scrape and grazing marshes. Birds of prey may include marsh and hen harriers, peregrines, barn or short-eared owls. Otters are occasionally seen on Island Mere or reedbed pools.

About Minsmere

Habitat

Minsmere's habitats also include four national conservation priorities: reedbeds, lowland wet grassland, shingle vegetation and lowland heath.

Conservation

The RSPB is working to safeguard all the reserve's ecosystems, and developing it as a showcase for our activities. 

  • We are managing the reedbeds to create a range of habitats. This benefits wildlife including marsh harriers, otters, water voles and bearded tits.
  • We are managing the lowland wet grassland for wintering wildfowl and breeding waders.
  • We are managing heath and acid grassland for the benefit of specialist wildlife, including nightjars, Dartford warblers, natterjack toads and silver-studded blue butterflies.
  • We're grazing with sheep to improve vegetated dunes for rare flora and invertebrates.
  • We're regulating water levels and salinity to maintain coastal lagoons for avocets and other water birds.
  • We're controlling non-native plants for wildlife such as nightingales.
  • We're cultivating areas to encourage rare arable plants. We are also converting former arable farmland into acid grassland and heathland to provide more habitat for woodlarks and encourage the re-colonisation of stone-curlews.

We work with local businesses to support the conservation of birds and wildlife in the Suffolk area.

By working with us you will:

  • Reinforce your reputation as an environmentally responsible organisation, sending positive messages to your customers, staff, suppliers and the communities in which you operate
  • Share the benefits of the RSPB's brand recognition and reputation
  • Make the world richer in wildlife.

We welcome support in a variety of ways:

  • Become a corporate member of Minsmere
  • Staff volunteering
  • Sponsorship
  • Licensed and affinity products
  • Gifts in kind

Alternatively we can work with you to build a partnership in ways that suit you.
Money raised from corporate members goes directly towards protecting and enhancing wildlife and helping people of all ages to enjoy and learn more about our natural world. With your help, we can continue to protect the wildlife and landscape of the Suffolk coast.

Partners

Natura 2000
EU Life

Little Tern Recovery Project is generously supported by the EU LIFE+ Nature Programme.

Site information

This reserve enjoys the protection of SSSI, SAC, SPA and Ramsar Site conservation statuses. It is also a Council of Europe Diploma Site.

Minsmere is a wonderful place for wildlife, but there's also a fascinating story of why the landscape looks like it does today. When exploring the reserve, look out for the medieval chapel and Second World War defences.

  • Leiston Chapel - The only visible remains of the original Premonstratensian Abbey are a small chapel that was thought to have been used until the dissolution in 1537. Research has shown that this chapel was built upon the site of the original church and wider precinct of Leiston Abbey which was founded in 1182 by Ranulf de Glanville, Lord Chief Justice to King Henry II.
  • The Second World War - By the 20th century, the mere had been drained for agriculture. Local stories record that the area behind the coastal dunes was re-flooded during the Second World War as a way of defending against coastal invasion - a tactic that was used at many such locations in East Anglia. Research by RSPB staff has found aerial photos of Minsmere taken by the Luftwaffe during the mooted invasion period of summer 1940. These photos indeed show a recently drowned agricultural landscape and the hurried construction of a 'coastal crust' of concrete and barbed wire defences.

Latest forum posts

  • Last week at Minsmere.

    I was lucky enough to have two days at Minsmere last week.  Wednesday was particularly good for sightings and I've finally managed to get through more than 600 photos! My first sighting was at Eastbridge, on my way in: The beautiful glossy ibis is st...

    Posted 31/03/2018 by Clare
  • Finally caught that elusive bird!

    For months, now, we've had a beautiful pale morph buzzard lurking on the reserve.  I usually either hear it's been floating around at the Island Mere Hide or I see it in the distance from the North Wall, a pale blur in the trees.  This all changed on...

    Posted 24/03/2018 by Clare
  • Not for the squeamish!

    It was a good day for spotting wildlife, especially when the otter dived into the reedbed and pulled out something it had presumably stashed previously. But.....  What's the otter's prize?

    Posted 30/01/2014 by Whistling Joe
  • A beautiful Friday on the Suffolk coast!

    It was a lovely day at Minsmere yesterday - not only was it nice and sunny, it had warmed up to the point where I had to disappear to strip off my thermals!  I only had time and energy for one hide, which was Island Mere - happily, one of my favourit...

    Posted 17/03/2018 by Clare
read our forum

Latest blog posts

  • Species of the week: sand martin

    Firstly, apologies for the lack of any blogs from me for the last three weeks, but if I'd written a species of the blog in that time it may well have featured three-toed sloth, scarlet macaw, eyelash pit-viper or yellow-throated toucan, rather than t...

    Posted 16/04/2018 by Ian Barthorpe
  • Recent sightings 14th April 2018

    As the Easter holidays draw to a close we’re looking forward to the busy breeding season here at Minsmere. Families taking part in our brilliant Wild Things activities will have heard some of the newly arrived songbirds – blackcaps, chiffchaffs and w...

    Posted 14/04/2018 by matt p
  • Species of the week: avocet

    After a last minute change of heart last week, this week it is the turn of the avocet to take the spotlight in our latest look at our 70 species to spot challenge. Avocets are synonymous with Suffolk, Minsmere and the RSPB, and with good reason. A fe...

    Posted 26/03/2018 by Ian Barthorpe
  • Sandwiches and fire(crest)s

    There's definitely more of a feel of spring about the wildlife at Minsmere this week. Chiffchaffs are being recorded from various parts of the reserve, Mediterranean gull and avocet numbers are increasing, marsh harriers are displaying and bitterns a...

    Posted 24/03/2018 by Ian Barthorpe
read our blog

What people are saying about Minsmere

Have been coming to Minsmere off and on for several years primarily for its location, peace and the welcome you get from all the volunteers. Decided not to chase any particular sighting but slowly wander to see what turned up. Thought Island Mere hide had the best chance of a snipe. Alas no luck but treated to two bitterns flying left to right in quick succession! After 40 plus years of wildlife watching, my first bitterns! Minsmere remains special.

John Meredith

We have always wanted to visit Minsmere and finally got our chance. Being in the UK, it rained, but so what. We had a brilliant day and got to see a bittern, a great white egret and a stonechat. Looking forward to our next visit. Thanks to the helpful and friendly staff.

Graham & Janet Dawson

This was our first visit to Minsmere. It certainly lived up to its reputation for being the crown jewel of RSPB reserves! It's usually up to me to find a wader in the spotting scope and then its up to my husband to figure out what it is with the help of others or a book. We were a little confused as to what I had found, so we took a photo of it through the scope (I've yet to get the hang of digiscoping). Upon returning to the shop to ask what it was, to our delight the photo was clear enough for several members of staff to identify it as a curlew sandpiper! Such a huge variety of birds all in one location, how lucky you are.

Martin and Becky Cooper

Activities and events

Activities for children and families

RSPB Minsmere is a fantastic coastal nature reserve that's perfect for families. Discover nature together in our Wild Zone and Wild Wood Adventure area. The Wild Zone has fun activities including a play tree and child-sized nests. In the Wild Wood, you can build a den or look for minibeasts. In the Wildlife Lookout you can see some of Minsmere’s special birds.

Drop in at the Discovery Centre to take part in family-friendly activities, or enjoy one of our many self-guided activities. You can hire a Wildlife Explorer backpack with a bug box, activities, spotter guides and more. We also have a child-friendly cafe.

Leisure activities

Choose an idyllic walk or head to the coastal lagoons to see and impressive variety of birds. Be sure to keep an eye on the reedbeds too. Maybe you'll catch a glimpse of a shy otter?

  • Hire-a-guide - You can book a volunteer guide for a half day guided walk. We tailor each walk to you and the wildlife you want to see. Great for small groups, wheelchair users, people with limited mobility and anyone wanting advice on improving their photography. Hire-a-guides must be booked at least 1 week in advance by phoning the Minsmere visitor centre on 01728 648301. (Max. 3 hours, Costs: £80 for 4 people + £5 per extra person.)

  • Minsmere 4x4 safaris - This is a great way for small groups to explore Minsmere and see parts of the reserve not normally accessible to visitors. Minsmere safaris must be booked at least 1 week ahead. (Max. 4 people, Costs: £155 per vehicle, or £90 for RSPB members. Please call 01728 648301 to discuss availability.)

Events

  • April
  • May
Saturday 21 April
Binocular and telescope open day
Suffolk
Sunday 22 April
Binocular and telescope open day
Suffolk
Sounds of spring (and breakfast)
Suffolk
Magic of Minsmere weekend wildlife walk
Suffolk
Tuesday 24 April
Health walks
Suffolk
Sounds of spring (and breakfast)
Suffolk
Saturday 28 April
Magic of Minsmere weekend wildlife walk
Suffolk
Tuesday 1 May
Sounds of spring (and breakfast)
Suffolk
Sunday 6 May
Sounds of spring (and breakfast)
Suffolk
Magic of Minsmere weekend wildlife walk
Suffolk
Tuesday 8 May
Sounds of spring (and breakfast)
Suffolk
Saturday 12 May
Dawn chorus and breakfast - FULLY BOOKED
Suffolk
Magic of Minsmere weekend wildlife walk
Suffolk
Monday 14 May
Minsmere Reedlings
Suffolk
Tuesday 15 May
Sounds of spring (and breakfast)
Suffolk
Saturday 19 May
Binocular and telescope open day
Suffolk
Sunday 20 May
Binocular and telescope open day
Suffolk
Sounds of spring (and breakfast)
Suffolk
Magic of Minsmere weekend wildlife walk
Suffolk
Tuesday 22 May
Health walks
Suffolk
Sounds of spring (and breakfast)
Suffolk
Saturday 26 May
Magic of Minsmere weekend wildlife walk
Suffolk
Tuesday 29 May
Sounds of spring (and breakfast)
Suffolk
Thursday 31 May
Bird ringing demonstrations
Suffolk
More events

Make the most of your journey

Minsmere Reserve World War II defences and dunes

Archaeology and history

Minsmere has a fascinating story of how the landscape has evolved and why it looks like it does today.

North Marsh at Minsmere

Guides and safaris

Minsmere's friendly volunteer guides are here to help. Here's how...

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