Snape

Address: RSPB Snape, Priory Rd, Saxmundham IP17 1SA, UK

Grid ref: TM392574

Snape Warren is a 48-hectare heathland nature reserve located to the east of Snape in Suffolk. It's an exciting new reserve, where we're recreating important wetland and heathland areas that will be home to rare wildlife such as Dartford warblers, woodlarks and adders.

Plan your visit

Open at all times.

Free entrance to RSPB members: Yes

Adults: Free, but donations are very welcome.

Children: Free, but donations are very welcome.

Car park cost: Free

Facilities

No visitor centre
Car park off-site
Toilets off-site
Accessible toilets off-site
Baby changing
No Refreshments
Picnic area
Guided walks
Nature trails
Shop off-site

Accessibility

How to get here

By train

The nearest station is Saxmundham. Follow directions to Snape. At crossroads, take road staggered straight ahead, signposted Snape Maltings.

By bus

The closest bus stop is opposite Snape Maltings. You can take Anglia Buses 165 from Aldeburgh and Leiston to Ipswich and Woodbridge.

By bike

The closest cycle route is Regional Cycle Route 42.

By road

Follow directions to Snape. Turn right at Snape church and continue through the village. Turn left into Priory Road just before the Crown pub. Follow Priory Road to a sharp left hand bend. Go straight ahead and the car park is on the right after 50 metres.

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.

Other ways to get there

Walkers can follow the Sailors Path from Aldeburgh to Snape Bridge (about six miles). Snape is located on the Suffolk Coast and Heaths long distance path.

Get directions from Google Maps

RSPB reserves on Google Earth

Group bookings are accepted.

11 degrees, Cloudy

Contact Snape

RSPB Snape, Priory Rd, Saxmundham IP17 1SA, UK
snape@rspb.org.uk
01394 450732
@RSPB_S_Suffolk
Find us on facebook

What will you see?

Our star species

Nightjar

In the summer, nightjars might be heard at dusk.

Dartford warbler

Look for Dartford warblers, particularly during summer and autumn.

Woodlark

In spring, listen out for woodlarks singing on Snape Warren.

Avocet

Look for wading birds on the estuary, especially avocets.

Marsh harrier

Look out for marsh harriers hunting over the marshes.

Spring brings large numbers of shelducks to the estuary. Expect to see barn owls and marsh harriers hunting over the marshes. Nesting birds include jackdaws, starlings and great tits.

In summer, wading birds begin to return. Warblers continue to sing. Young marsh harriers should be on the wing by July and look for hobbies.

Autumn is the best time to spot kingfishers darting along the river. A large starling roost is regularly seen at dusk, before the birds settle. Look for bearded tits and reed buntings in the reedbeds.

In winter, marsh harriers and barn owls hunt over the marshes, and keep an eye open for possible peregrines, hen harriers or short-eared owls. Look for bearded tits, reed buntings and stonechats in the reedbed. Flocks of yellowhammers, linnets and meadow pipits may be in the surrounding fields.

About Snape

Habitat

Snape is an exciting new reserve where we're recreating important wetland and heathland areas, including reedbeds and freshwater marshes.

Conservation

At Snape Warren we've been clearing birch, pine and gorse scrub to recreate rare Suffolk Sandlings heathland, with the help of sheep and Exmoor ponies. The heathland is a blaze of purple in summer and is home to rare wildlife such as Dartford warblers, woodlarks and adders. The Snape reserve also includes an exciting new wetland area where we are working with the Environment Agency to create new reedbeds and freshwater marshes. This will benefit wildlife such as otters, water voles, kingfishers, bitterns, marsh harriers and dragonflies.

Site information

Snape Warren is a 48-hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest east of Snape in Suffolk.

Activities and events

Leisure activities

There are excellent walks along the Alde estuary from Snape Bridge to Iken or Snape Warren, where you can see wading birds such as avocets and curlews, plus barn owls and marsh harriers.