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  • Minsmere

Minsmere

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Address
RSPB Minsmere, Sheepwash Ln, Saxmundham IP17 3BY
Grid ref
TM473672
What3Words
deep.showering.bombshell

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

  • Nature reserve: open daily, dawn-dusk.
  • Car park: open daily, dawn-dusk.
  • Visitor Centre: open daily
    9am-5pm, 1 February-31 October.
    9am-4pm, 1 November-31 January.
  • Shop: open daily
    9am-5pm, 1 February-31 October.
    9am-4pm, 1 November-31 January.
  • Café: open daily
    10am-4pm, 1 February-31 October.
    10am-3.30pm, 1 November-31 January.
  • Toilets: open daily, dawn-dusk.

Entrance charges

Free entrance to RSPB members
Yes
Adults
£9
Children
£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
  • Café
  • Picnic area
  • Binocular hire
  • Guided walks
  • Viewing point
  • Nature trails
  • Shop
  • Educational facilities
  • Play area

Accessibility

  • Full accessibility information (external website)

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
View on What3Words
RSPB reserves on Google Earth

Information for dog owners

Sorry, dogs are not permitted on the nature reserve, except assistance dogs, due to the sensitive wildlife and habitats here. We know that the countryside is a dog walking paradise. It’s important to remember the special surroundings here are wonderful havens for rare wildlife. Even if dogs are very well behaved, wildlife can easily become startled by a dog they perceive as a predator.

Disturbing wildlife does more than simply causing it to move away; it uses up their energy, decreasing their chance of survival regardless of season. Thank you for protecting the special wildlife by not exercising your dog here.

  • Other exciting dog walking routes are available to enjoy in the local area, ask our staff for a map and directions.
  • Dogs can die in hot cars, please do not leave your dog in the car when visiting us.

Group booking information

Bringing a flock? We welcome group bookings.
Please notify us of your visit in advance by phoing 01728 648281 or emailing minsmere@rspb.org.uk.

Schools booking information

For details on our exciting programme of curriculum-linked outdoor education sessions, visit our school trip 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.

Also, check out our fantastic range of resources for teachers, or take on the Schools’ Wild Challenge.

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

    Wading Avocet Illustration

    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 illustration

    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 illustration

    Nightingale

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

Recent sightings

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 diverse wildlife is here because of the rich and varied landscapes within the reserve. Look forward to exploring reedbeds, wet grasslands, shingle vegetation and lowland heath. All of these habitats are national conservation priorities.

Conservation

Minsmere’s varied landscapes makes it an ideal spot to see how we manage and protect different habitats for the benefit of wildlife.

The reserve’s reedbeds, wet grasslands and heathlands are all carefully managed to make them ideal places for a huge variety of wildlife. Take the reedbeds, where marsh harrier, otters and water voles can be found. Or the heathlands, where nightjars whirr, natterjack toads croak and silver-studded blue butterflies flutter.

Don’t be surprised to see sheep grazing here, they play a vital role in improving the dunes for some of our rarest plants and minibeasts, such as the brilliantly named great green bush cricket.

Water is a vital part of Minsmere’s appeal and we work hard to get the water levels and salinity right across the reserve, with different species thriving in different conditions.

We are expanding these ways of managing land and converting former farmland into acid grassland and heathland, to make more space for birds such as woodlarks and rare stone-curlews.

Partners

Natura 2000
EU Life
Council of Europe

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

Site information

Minsmere is a special place and is protected in a number of ways. It is classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Special Protection Area (SPA), a Special Area for Conservation (SAC) and a Ramsar Site – to find out more about these protections head here.
 
The reserve is also Council of Europe Diploma Site.  
 
History 

Minsmere’s wildlife may be its main attraction, but it has a fascinating story to tell too. You can read about it Minsmere's archeology and history here.

Latest blog posts

  • Globetrotters

    In the week or so since my last blog, we've been visited by several notable globetrotters of both the avian and human varieties. The latter have included representatives of conservation organisation in Denmark and Indonesia visiting Minsmere to learn...

    Posted 02/07/2022 by Ian Barthorpe
  • Insects on cue

    This week is National Insect Week, and it's certainly been a great week for insect sightings at Minsmere, from butterflies to moths, bees to wasps, dragonflies to beetles. First, the really exciting news is that Digger Alley is open for business. Whe...

    Posted 23/06/2022 by Ian Barthorpe
  • Bird flu confirmed

    Visitors to Minsmere over the last few weeks may have noticed more dead birds on the Scrape than usual. We can confirm that dead birds tested by Defra for avian influenza at RSPB Minsmere last week, have tested positive for the disease. We appreciate...

    Posted 21/06/2022 by Ian Barthorpe
  • Summer heat opens Digger Alley

    Summer is always an exciting time for insect lovers, with a great variety of butterflies, dragonflies, bees, wasps and other species on the wing. I saw my first silver-washed fritillaries of the year along the Woodland Trail yesterday and expect the ...

    Posted 18/06/2022 by Ian Barthorpe
read our blog

Latest forum posts

  • Forthcoming talk and book signing

    We're excited to announce that RSPB England Committee member and environmentalist Mya-Rose Craig will be visiting Minsmere on Sunday 17 July for a talk and book signing. Mya-Rose Craig is also known as Birdgirl, having blogged under that name for sev...

    Posted 23/06/2022 by Ian Barthorpe
  • Minsmere silent film from the early 1950’s

    player.bfi.org.uk/.../watch-reed-marsh-1955-online This is a film from the national film archives of which a lot of the films are free to watch free online and this silent film broadcast originally in 1955 is largely about Minsmere in Suffolk and Sco...

    Posted 03/06/2022 by THOMO
  • Visiting Minsmere on Tuesday 14th June 2022 for the first time in 49 years!

    All being well I’ll be visiting Minsmere for the first since 1973 just a little less than 50 years ago when I was just 21 years of age with long hair. Now just turned 70 I’ve lost most of my hair from many years of getting older. Looking forward to m...

    Posted 26/05/2022 by THOMO
  • A Sunny Monday, with first Cuckoo seen this year.

    A beautifully sunny day on the reserve last Monday and lots to see. We headed for the Bittern Hide but stopped a little short of that when we saw two people sitting on the nearby bench looking up. They were watching Hobbies passing over the trees, of...

    Posted 13/05/2022 by TJS
read our forum

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

For more information on our full programme of events and to book tickets, please visit events.rspb.org.uk/minsmere

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. 

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 (Max 3 hours). For all available dates and prices, please visit events.rspb.org.uk/minsmere

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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