Grab your binoculars, put on your walking boots and reconnect with nature this Winter in west Norfolk. Renowned for its biodiversity and distinctive landscape, it’s no surprise west Norfolk is home to some of the best nature reserves, wildlife parks and tranquil gardens in the country. Before setting out to explore these great nature venues we recommend checking out our Safe and Responsible Tourism page for tips on how to help us all protect our natural environments.
Get up close to incredible rare species including interesting insects, ungulates, wading birds, and so much more. Here’s our roundup of wildlife reserves, parks and gardens to visit during your stay:
Nature Reserves
Located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and on the border between west Norfolk and north Norfolk, Holkham National Nature Reserve is one of the most extensive, diverse and dramatic nature reserves in Norfolk. The coastal reserve offers windswept tidelines, a maze of creeks and saltings, miles of dunes and sandpits as well as a mix of habitats and diverse wildlife.
Grimston Warren forms part of Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s Gaywood Valley Living Landscape and offers a rich mosaic of habitats. 450 species of moth have been recorded and the impressive minotaur beetle has been found at Grimston Warren.
In the heart of the Fens,you will find RSPB Ouse Washes. The nature reserve provides an important breeding habitat for waders and ducks. During the winter months, flooding provides good viewing conditions of large numbers of wintering ducks and swans.
Roydon Common is the largest remaining heath in west Norfolk. Catch views of the blooming purple heather on the reserve. The site is also home to many rare and interesting plants and insects, including all three species of British sundew.
Situated just beyond the border between west Norfolk and north Norfolk, and owned by the Hawk and Owl Trust, Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve is a wildlife haven with a patchwork of habitats including wet woodland, hazel coppice, reed and sedge beds, open water and wet meadow.
RSPB Snettisham Nature Reserve is the one place to witness two of the UK’s great wildlife spectacles – tens of thousands of wading birds pushed off their feeding grounds and onto the roost banks and the sight of thousands of pink footed geese flying to or from the overnight roosts.
As seen on the BBC’s Springwatch and Autumn watch series, Wild Ken Hill is all about returning land to nature and farming sustainably in coastal west Norfolk. They use rewilding, regenerative farming and traditional conservation practices side-by-side in a unique, innovative approach.
Thousands of migrating birds pass through RSPB Titchwell Nature Reserve during the Winter, giving you an unrivalled opportunity to see many species of ducks, waders, seabirds and geese.
WWT Welney Wetland Centre is a nature reserve of 1,000 acres attracting large numbers of ducks and swans during the winter months.
Wildlife Parks and Gardens
Pensthorpe is a staggering 700-acre site with five fabulous gardens and a species-rich nature reserve. Discover the bird hides, wader scrape, wader aviary and wildflower meadow during your visit.
Situated amongst 170 acres of woodland, grassland and lakes, Watatunga is an award winning wildlife reserve home to over twenty types of ungulate and rare bird species.
A wooded area on the edge of the Fens, Shouldham Warren offers two waymarked paths, parking, designated picnic area and fantastic views across the open landscape.
Holkham Park is the ideal spot to find peace and tranquillity along the north west Norfolk coast. Group walks throughout the year are an ideal way to truly discover the diversity of wildlife at this fantastic park.
Sandringham Royal Parkland at Sandringham Estate offers waymarked walking trails, Children’s Play Area and Courtyard Facilities. The stunning gardens surrounding the royal home has been developed in turn by each Monarch who has lived there.
Gooderstone Water Gardens is a unique attraction for all garden lovers, covering 4.6 acres with trout streams, four ponds, waterways, mature trees, colourful plants, kingfisher hide, nature trails and 13 bridges.
West Garden Gardens is an old walled garden with extensive display beds and a wide range of perennials, shrubs, grasses, alpines, shade plants, climbers and drought tolerant plants.
Set around a historic mill, Norfolk Lavender is home to a national lavender collection, lavender distillery, herb garden and rare breed animal centre.
Green Flag Award winner for 2023, Hunstanton Heritage Gardens are formed by a number of open spaces along Hunstanton promenade including The Green, Esplanade Gardens and Cliff Parade.
Locally known as the ‘Green Heart of King’s Lynn’, The Walks is a 17-hectare park full of beautifully tendered gardens, historic sites, picnic spots and modern amenities including two play areas, a parkour unit and multi-use games area. Awarded a Green Flag Award for 2023.
Walpole Water Gardens is a 0.75 acre outdoor space dominated by water and rocks, with a sub-tropical atmosphere. The garden features eucalyptus, rockeries and palms as well as Koi carp, black swans, ducks and peacocks.
Please note that the information provided on this webpage was accurate on the date and time it was published [13/09/2023 at 10:05]. Details may have changed after this time and date.
