Foxley Wood National Nature Reserve

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Overview

Foxley Wood NNR is the Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s premier woodland reserve, and the largest remaining ancient woodland in the county. Over 350 flowering plants have been recorded. In spring, primroses peek out, a prelude to the riot of colour to follow in mid/late April to early May, when bluebells carpet the woodland floor. Other woodland plants include dog’s mercury, greater butterfly orchid, wood anemone, wild garlic and herb Paris, as well as the locally rare wild service tree. All the common woodland birds can be seen, including green and great spotted woodpeckers, nuthatch, treecreeper, marsh tit and jay. Common summer visitors include blackcap, garden warbler, chiffchaff and willow warbler, and declining species such as turtle dove, grasshopper warbler and spotted flycatcher may also sometimes be seen. Tawny owls are resident, and barn owls occasionally hunt along the woodland rides. Birds of prey include sparrowhawk and kestrel, with rarer visitors including hobby and common buzzard.

Location

Foxley

About the area

The North Norfolk Coast is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and probably the finest of its kind in Europe. Here you’ll find a string of quaint villages and small towns – Holkham, Wells-next-the-Sea and Cley next the Sea are 21st-century favourites, while Sheringham and Cromer are classic examples of a good old-fashioned seaside resort where grand Victorian hotels look out to sea.