Titchwell Marsh

We are working hard to make our nature reserves safe and ready for our staff, visitors and wildlife. Many have now re-opened in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, although some facilities are not yet available. All our other reserves remain closed for now. Please see our COVID-19 updates page for the latest information (link below).

Address: Titchwell Marsh, Main Rd, Titchwell, King's Lynn PE31 8BB

Grid ref: TF750438

See our updates page to see which reserves are open.

Located on the north coast of Norfolk, between the villages of Titchwell and Thornham, Titchwell Marsh is blessed with diverse habitats that include reedbeds, saltmarsh and freshwater lagoons where avocets, bearded tits and marsh harriers nest. There's also a wide sandy beach here, which offers extensive views across The Wash.

Plan your visit

Open every day from 9:30 am to 5pm (closing at 4pm from the end of October to early February), except for Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

The trails and public toilets are open every day.

Free entrance to RSPB members: Yes

Adults: £5. (Carers accompanying disabled visitors (up to 2): FREE)

Children: Second and subsequent children £2.50 each
Free entrance for first child
Free entrance for under 5s

Student: Students (with valid NUS card) £3.75

Car park cost: Free to RSPB members. Facilities charge of £6 per car for non-RSPB members.

Facilities

Visitor centre
Car park
Toilets
Accessible toilets
Baby changing
Pushchair friendly
Café
Picnic area
Binocular hire
Guided walks
Viewing point
Nature trails
Shop

Accessibility

Download full accessibility statement (PDF)

How to get here

By train

The closest station is King's Lynn, approx. 22 miles from reserve.

By bus

The closest bus stop is on the main road outside the reserve.

By bike

National Cycle Route number 1 is within two miles of the reserve.

By road

Take the first left after driving eastwards along the A149 through Thornham village. The reserve is signposted with a brown tourist sign.

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

Dogs on leads allowed on the west bank path, but please not in hides or on the other trails.

Groups are welcome by appointment - please telephone in advance. Guides can be hired if required. Limited parking for coaches. Group food orders should be made in advance.

School groups are welcome by appointment. Guides and activity leaders can usually be arranged on request, trail sheets and activity sheets that support Key Stage 1-4 learning objectives are available.

Viewing structures and hides are easily accessible. One hide has low level seating and a work table suitable for young children.

Equipment such as binoculars, bug hunting kits and activity packs can be hired.

Schools are welcome to bring their own food to eat in our picnic area. There is limited parking for coaches.

15 degrees, Sunny day

Downloads

Helping you find your way around. PDF, 1.7Mb.

Titchwell Marsh trail map

Contact Titchwell Marsh

Titchwell Marsh, Main Rd, Titchwell, King's Lynn PE31 8BB
titchwell@rspb.org.uk
01485 210779
@RSPBNorfolkLinc
Find us on facebook

What will you see?

Our star species

Marsh harrier

Look for marsh harriers in spring performing their skydancing display.

Bittern

Listen out for their booming call across the reedbed in spring.

Bearded tit

Listen for their bell-like 'pinging' calls.

Avocet

Look out for fluffy avocet chicks on the fresh marsh during late spring.

Nature spectacles

Titchwell is renowned for its wading birds, wildfowl and geese. These gather in significant numbers from mid autumn onwards and with the arrival of migrant birds from Scandanavia and Northern Europe the fresh water lagoons are soon filled with a variety of resident species and visitors.

During autumn, marsh harriers can be seen soaring low over reedbeds as the light falls but in spring, visitors can watch them spiralling high overhead in a courtship skydance.

Avocets, the RSPB emblem bird, can be seen on the fresh marsh all year round but in late spring they will be guarding newly hatched fluffy chicks. At this time of year it's possible to hear the mating calls of two wetland birds familiar to Titchwell's visitors. Listen out for the booming call of the bittern from deep within the reedbeds whilst alongside the West Bank path, the metallic 'ping-ping' of the much smaller bearded tits can be heard above the rustle of the reeds.

About Titchwell Marsh

Habitat

Reedbeds are home to breeding bitterns, bearded tits and harriers. Freshmarsh lagoons are a motorway service station for migrating wading birds and wildfowl. Land, once farmed, has been reclaimed by the sea to form saltmarsh which is home to little egrets, water pipits and Chinese water deer.

Once part of Norfolk's sea defences, it is now home to resident and migrant seabirds and a plethora of marine life. In spring, quiet woodland copses are full of bird song. Listen out for Cetti's warblers, spotted flycatchers and the soulful purr of the turtle dove.

Conservation

The freshwater reedbeds are incredibly important for a wide variety of species including rare breeding birds such as bitterns, bearded tits and marsh harriers. Otters and water voles are also well established here. Ongoing management work in the reedbeds such as winter reed cutting helps to create and maintain a mosaic of habitats including reedbed edges and muddy margins which benefit these species.

The freshwater lagoon and islands are important habitats for other breeding species including avocets, black-headed gulls and Mediterranean gulls; as well as being vital for wintering wildfowl and wading birds. Subtle management of the water levels and control of vegetation are all part of making the freshmarsh so special.

Wild and windswept at times, our coastline has a great variety of wildlife. In the summer, ringed plovers breed within protective cordons and annual surveys monitor tiny dune tiger beetles. Other coastal habitats including saltmarsh, shingle and sand dunes are allowed to develop through natural processes and account for the changing landscape on this part of the reserve.

We are also managing woodland and grassland areas around the reserve for their wildlife. The coastline at Titchwell is eroding and we know that the site is becoming more vulnerable to damage caused by surge tides and storms.

The nature reserve has been under threat from the effects of coastal change, the impact of sea level rise and increasing storm events. The Titchwell Coastal Change Project was designed to save the reserve from the effect of these coastal changes. We are pleased to say we have now successfully completed the project. We have realigned the sea defences to the north and reinforced the sea banks around parts of the reserve to the west and east. The future of the reserve and its wildlife is assured for at least the next fifty years.

Partners

Dark Sky Sites are designated by the International Dark Sky Association as being areas that showcase exceptionally starry skies. Titchwell Marsh reserve became a designated Dark Sky Site in 2019 and boasts some of the darkest skies in Norfolk. The lack of artificial light means visitors can see thousands of stars when the night sky panorama is revealed. On a clear night, views of the Milky Way and the constellation Orion are visible with the naked eye.

Site information

An easy walk leads from the car park through woodland glades to the Visitor Centre and Cafe. From here, the West Bank path opens up to wild landscapes of saltmarsh, reedbeds and freshwater lagoons fed by a natural spring and on to Titchwell's vast and undeveloped beach. The East Trail lends itself to quiet contemplation with outlooks across quiet pools full of wildlife. Secluded seating set amidst vistas of wildflowers and yellow gorse affords views of raptors scoping reedbeds and marsh for prey.

Remnants of a prehistoric age and a time when the Norfolk coast formed part of Britain's sea defences can be seen sporadically across the reserve and form the boundary of Titchwell's seascape.

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What people are saying about Titchwell Marsh

May both my wife & myself congratulate you all in the superb way you have made Titchwell an amazing place. We were worried about being able to take our 8 week old baby Ruby in the pushchair, but it was so easy and we walked all the way to the beach. We saw some fantastic waders along our walk. We couldn't stay too long as you would understand with an 8 week baby but our visit was remarkable, it was like stepping on to another planet!

Daryn Godfrey (and family)

I never tire of coming here - there is always something exciting to see. Yellow-browed warblers on the Meadow Trail were today's highlight!

Mark Ward

Where do I start! The best day out I have had in a while. Went on a guided tour to see the wonders of world waders. Malcolm, our guide, taught me tons about the different waders, and we got to see a bearded tit (the main reason for the visit). Thanks to the great tour guide I saw a juvenile. Thank you all at Titchwell for making the day magical.

Tiffany Baxter

Activities and events

Activities for children and families

RSPB Titchwell Marsh is a fantastic place for families to discover. There are plenty of opportunities for young explorers to get close to wildlife on our multi-habitat reserve. Seasonal variations in fauna and flora make the reserve the perfect venue all year round for families to explore the natural world.

Self-led trails will inspire curiosity while our backpacks are perfectly packed for adventure. Pushchair friendly paths and easy accessible hides means wildlife is only a step away and our friendly and informative team is always on hand to help you have a memorable and wild experience.

During school holiday periods, our family events will challenge, inspire and enthuse through hands-on activities, workshops and bushcraft days.

Leisure activities

We have guided walks three times a week plus seasonal events and workshops to enhance and develop wildlife watching skills. An interest in photography or sketching can be complimented by a mini-workshop or visitors can take part in more active pursuits such as a beach clean or bird survey.

Many visitors enjoy time spent on Titchwell's wide, sandy beach which is host to seabirds and other marine life all year round. At low tide areas of petrified forest and remnants from the Second World War are exposed. These have become natural 'reefs' and make the shoreline ideal for beachcombing or a family scavenger hunt.

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