The original Norfolk Wildlife Trust reserve and a blueprint for nature conservation that has since been replicated across the Country, Cley Marshes in North Norfolk is regarded as one of the UK’s best bird watching sites. Deservedly so, with pools, scrapes, trails and hides, this nature reserve attracts water birds in the thousands throughout the year (more than 300 species of birds have been recorded at Cley Marshes, with regular visitors including Avocets, Kestrels, Bearded Tits, Cormorants and Oystercatchers).
The Reserve boasts an inspiring and award-winning ‘eco-friendly’ visitor centre that employs a wind turbine to generate its power and harvests rainwater to flush the toilets, among other fascinating green innovations. Inside, the café and gift shop provide protection from the elements on chillier days, whilst still allowing a fabulous view of the Reserve through a vast observation area along one side of the Centre (complete with telescopes and audio-visual presentations).
Nature Reserve and visitor centre open all year (except Christmas Day) 10am-5pm (10am-4pm 1st Nov- 1st Mar).
There is a small charge for entry to the Reserve (less than £5) but entry is free for children and members of Norfolk Wildlife Trust.
Boardwalks provide access for wheelchairs and pushchairs throughout the reserve and the visitor centre is accessible to wheelchair users via a lift.
There is ample parking in front of the visitor centre.
Other Norfolk Wildlife Trust sites across North Norfolk that are well worth a visit include Salthouse Marshes (just along from Cley Marshes), Foxley Wood, Thursford Wood, Ringstead Downs (near Hunstanton), Syderstone Common and Booton Common.
NWT Summer 08 Events.
ORCHARD FAIR.
Sun 17 Aug 2–5pm.
In support of Norfolk Wildlife Trust with plants, homemade food, books, raffle and delicious teas!
All enquiries to Angela Turner on 01263 587292.
Venue: The Pightles, Rectory Road, Edgefield.
Entry £1, children free.
Wildlife Detectives - Stay for a Day (10.30am–3.30pm).
NWT Ranworth Broad.
Mon 18 Aug
Mon 25 Aug
NWT Hickling Broad.
Fri 15 Aug
Fri 22 Aug
Fri 29 Aug
Make a day of it and find out all about the wonderful wildlife around us. Each week will have a different theme:
- what makes slugs stick and beetles click?
- why do some animals wear colours with pride, whilst others sneak away and hide?
- how does a whirligig whirl, a dragon fly and a tern turn?
- gobble, slurp, munch – who’s just eaten whom for lunch?
- where does the bittern boom, the harrier hover and the snake slither?
Booking Essential – call NWT on 01603 625540 to reserve places.
Summer Sun and Wildlife Fun (11am–4pm).
NWT Holme Dunes.
Tue 5 Aug.
Join Norfolk Wildife Trust’s education team for trails, sand sculptures and outdoor activities for children and their families. A sea-dipping session of up to two hours starts at 3pm at the visitor centre.
No need to book. £1.50 per activity per child. Adult nature reserve admission applies for non-members.
NWT Holme Dunes.
(Please note, event charge includes free parking and adult reserve entry).
Thur 14 Aug
Tue 19 Aug
Come and join in the fun at the beautiful NWT Holme Dunes. Join in guided walks for families, crafts, quizzes and art activities. £1.50 per child, per activity. Adults £4.
NWT Cley Marshes.
Tue 12 Aug.
2–4 pm.
Visit NWT Cley Marshes for trails, crafts and outdoor activities for children and their families.
No need to book. £1.50 per activity per child. Adult nature reserve admission applies for non-members.
Rockpools At West Runton.
Norfolk Wildlife Trust will be exploring the rockpools at West Runton on
Tue 12 Aug, 10am-12pm
Thur 21 Aug, 3-5pm
Tue 26 Aug, 10am–12pm
Your chance to discover creatures of the rockpools and learn about their wacky lifestyles! Equipment provided. Meet outside West Runton Beach Café. £2 per child.
Norfolk Wildlife Trust at Kelling Heath Holiday Park.
Thur 21 Aug. Kelling Heath Holiday Park.
Up Close and Personal! – A Closer look at the Wildlife Around us (10am–12.30pm).
Climb aboard Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s wildlife trailer and use their travelling electronic microscope to get a close-up look at the wonderful world of wildlife around us. Take part in a wildlife quiz trail or make a naturally crafty craft to take home! Come along to the Village Square at Kelling Heath Holiday Park.
Winkles, Worms and Other Wash Wildlife.
Sat 2 Aug.
1 – 4pm, Heacham, meet at Heacham South Beach car park, OS grid ref. TF663368.
Dr Bob James of UEA leads us into the weird and wonderful world of Wash wildlife. Squelch around in the mud to find Wash wigglers and wrigglers and learn about their extraordinary lives.
Includes a 2.5km walk over a muddy beach and an ankle-deep creek. Wellies or very old trainers should be worn.
Booking is essential. Please call Norfolk Wildlife Trust on 01603 625540. Cost £5 per adult (£4 for NWT members), £2 per child (£1 for NWT Watch members).
Wader Roost Watch.
Sun 3 Aug.
7–9.30am, meet at the Holme Golf Course car park.
Join the warden of NWT Holme Dunes, Gary Hibberd, to see the spectacle of waders gathering on the shingle bars of Holme beach as the rising tide drives them off the Wash.
No need to book. Cost £5 per adult (£4 for NWT members), £2 per child (£1 for NWT Watch members).
Discovering Norfolk’s Rocky Coast.
Mon 4 Aug.
2–5pm, West Runton Beach, meet at West Runton Beach Café.
Coastal wildlife expert Peter Lambley leads us into the weird world of the rocky coast at low tide and sheds light on the prehistory of the West Runton cliffs.
Please wear wellies and be aware that the rocks are slippery underfoot.
No need to book. Equipment provided. Cost £5 per adult (£4 for NWT
members), £2 per child (£1 for NWT Watch members).
Hidden Treasures of Norfolk’s Sea.
Mon 4 Aug.
7–8.30pm, Green Quay, King’s Lynn.
Join diver/photographer team Rob Spray and Dawn Watson for their rave-reviewed talk, illustrated with their own stunning photos, on the barely-known creatures living just off the coast of Norfolk.
No need to book. Cost £2 per adult, £1 per child.
Blakeney Point Wild Walk.
Fri 8 Aug.
10am–12.30pm, meet at Cley Beach car park (parking fee applies).
Join NWT’s David North for a stroll along Blakeney Point in search of saltmarsh flowers, migrant birds, and passing seals. David, who has written several books on Norfolk wildlife and landscapes, will share his great enthusiasm for the Norfolk coast and its unusual inhabitants.
Bring a picnic for elevenses on the Point.
No need to book. Cost £5 per adult (£4 for NWT members), £2 per child (£1 for NWT Watch members).
This Was Formerly a Port Called Blakeney and Cley.
Wed 13 Aug.
9.30am – 12.30pm, starting at Cley Village Hall.
Norfolk historian Jonathan Hooton leads us through the maritime history of Cley and Blakeney harbours. Includes an indoor talk in the village hall and a guided walk around the historic sites of Cley.
This talk is for adults and older children.
No need to book. Cost £5 per adult (£4 for NWT members), £2 per child (£1 for NWT Watch members).
