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East Wretham Heath Nature Reserve

Recommended by

Our view

"Once shaken by World War II aircraft, the heath is now a peaceful nature reserve"

Walk directions

From the car park go through the gate and follow the trail marked by green-and-white arrows. This will take you over sandy Breckland heath that is pitted with rabbit warrens, so watch your step. Rabbits can nearly always be seen here. When you reach a kissing gate just after the beginning of a pine plantation, follow the green arrow trail that takes you to the right through the trees. You might notice traces of tarmac underfoot on the route, a relic of the airbase.

Follow the green arrows and keep to the paths until you reach a junction of routes. At this point, you could make a short diversion to the left by taking the white trail along the north shore of Langmere, where a narrow path leads down to a bird hide overlooking the lake. The water level in the mere varies from season to season, but the hide is generally a good place to observe waterfowl.

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Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Gravel track and waymarked trails across heath

Landscape - Heathland with some sparse pine plantations

Dog friendliness - Dogs are only allowed on the first half of the walk, and must be kept on a short lead between 1 March and 31 July

Parking - Norfolk Wildlife Trust car park off A1075 (open 8am–dusk)

Toilets en route - None on route

Walks in Norfolk Family friendly walks in Norfolk

About the walk

When you arrive at East Wretham Nature Reserve and walk a short distance from the busy A1075, you will hear waterfowl clanking and splashing on Langmere, songbirds chattering in the gorse, the bleat of sheep and the hiss of the wind whispering through the pine trees. It is difficult to imagine... that, during World War II, this was a large and bustling military base, with thundering Wellington and Lancaster bombers shattering the peace. The Czech Training Unit were also based here, a situation similar to the one depicted in the 2002 film Dark Blue World. Military airbase The heath was acquired in 1938 by the Norfolk Naturalists' Trust (now the Norfolk Wildlife Trust), because the sandy scrub contained such a wide variety of plants and animals. Among its treasures are some rare spiders and moths, and unusual butterflies such as the small skipper, brown argus, grayling and Essex. However, nature came second to defence in 1939, and the Trust was obliged to relinquish it to the RAF shortly after. The military remained until 1970, but their concrete airstrips, roads and buildings are slowly being colonised by mosses, lichens and wild flowers such as vipers bugloss, dark mullein and wall pepper, indicating that nature has the upper hand once more. Breckland Nature Reserve The heath was the first nature reserve ever established in Breckland. It owes its current form to grazing by sheep and rabbits, which prevent it from becoming scrubland again. The first rabbits were introduced to England just after the Norman Conquest, when their fur and meat were a highly prized commodity. They were farmed in warrens and were rare and expensive – a far cry from their status today! Their sharp teeth prevent the area from being over-colonised by bracken, allowing delicate wild flowers to thrive. These include hair grass, thyme-leaved speedwell, heath bedstraw, harebell and early forget-me-not. In the early 19th century, at the time of the Battle of Waterloo, a belt of Scots pines was planted to shelter the heath from the prevailing winds and to help anchor down the light sandy soil. These days, oaks and birches have joined them, providing a haven for yellowhammers, willow warblers, finches and tree pipits. The old pines have been gnarled and moulded by time and winds, and now form dramatic shapes across the Norfolk skyline. This special area is important for all sorts of reasons. It provides a unique habitat for a number of rare or unusual birds, animals, plants and insects. It is also one of the few surviving areas of Breckland that has not been encroached by farms or other human development. For more information on the Brecklands and the conservation programmes that are currently in operation, contact the Norfolk Wildlife Trust.

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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.

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Route details

Difficulty:

Easy

Gradient:

Flat

Distance:

2.75 miles (4.4kms)

Ascent:

0ft (0m)

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East Wretham Heath Nature Reserve

Recommended by

Our view

"Once shaken by World War II aircraft, the heath is now a peaceful nature reserve"

Walk details

Difficulty:

Easy

Gradient:

Flat

Distance:

2.75 miles (4.4kms)

Ascent:

0ft (0m)

Walk directions

1 of 5

2 of 5

Retrace your steps from the hide to the point where the green and white trails converge. Bear left and stay on this path as it crosses a meadow to reach a gate and a fence.

3 of 5

Go through the gate and turn left onto old Drove Road. This is part of the Hereward Way and is a wide gravel track with fences on either side. The Norfolk Wildlife Trust opens and closes parts of the reserve depending on the season and weather conditions, but it is usually possible to extend the walk to Fenmere and Ringmere, where there are viewing shelters. If you are able to do this, turn right off the Drove Road and, after reaching Ringmere, return the same way. Look for notices along the road to see if the path is open. The Drove Road will then take you past the memorial to Sydney Herbert Long, who founded the Norfolk Naturalists' Trust in 1926.

4 of 5

At the lay-by by the A1075, turn left through a gate and follow the marker posts back to the car park.

5 of 5

Location

Starting point

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Gravel track and waymarked trails across heath

Landscape - Heathland with some sparse pine plantations

Dog friendliness - Dogs are only allowed on the first half of the walk, and must be kept on a short lead between 1 March and 31 July

Parking - Norfolk Wildlife Trust car park off A1075 (open 8am–dusk)

Toilets en route - None on route

Walks in Norfolk Family friendly walks in Norfolk

About the walk

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

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Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

About the area

Norfolk

Nearby places to stay

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East Wretham Heath Nature Reserve

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East Wretham Heath Nature Reserve

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