List of local nature reserves in Norfolk

Breydon Water
Breydon Water is a wide tidal estuary which is of national importance for wintering wildfowl

Norfolk is a county in East Anglia. It has an area of 2,074 square miles (5,370 square kilometres)[1] and a population as of mid-2017 of 898,400.[2] The top level of local government is Norfolk County Council with seven second tier councils: Breckland District Council, Broadland District Council, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council, North Norfolk District Council, Norwich City Council and South Norfolk District Council.[3] The county is bounded by Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Lincolnshire and the North Sea.[1]

Local nature reserves (LNRs) are designated by local authorities under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. The local authority must have a legal control over the site, by owning or leasing it or having an agreement with the owner. Local nature reserves are sites which have a special local interest either biologically or geologically. Local authorities have a duty to care for them, and can apply local bye-laws to manage and protect them.[4][5]

As of October 2018, there are 27 LNRs in Norfolk,[6] seven of which are Sites of Special Scientific Interest, three are Special Areas of Conservation, three are Special Protection Areas, one is a Ramsar site, one is a Geological Conservation Review site, one is a Nature Conservation Review site, one is a Scheduled Monument, two are managed by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust and one by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust.

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Key

Other classifications

Sites

Site Photograph Area[a] Location[b] Borough Other classifications Map[c] Details[d] Description
Barnham Cross Common Barnham Cross Common 69.2 hectares
(171 acres) 		Thetford
52°23′53″N 0°44′24″E / 52.398°N 0.740°E / 52.398; 0.740 (Barnham Cross Common)
TL 865 813 		Breckland SAC,[7] SPA,[8] SSSI[9] Map Details This grassland and heath common has diverse habitats and a rich flora, including several nationally rare plants. There are nearly 100 species of birds, including 60 which breed on the site, and a wide range of invertebrates.[10]
Bath Hills Bath Hills 12.2 hectares
(30 acres) 		Bungay
52°28′08″N 1°25′19″E / 52.469°N 1.422°E / 52.469; 1.422 (Bath Hills)
TM 325 912 		South Norfolk Map Details This is the sheltered south side of a steep valley, and spring flowers bloom very early as a result.[11]
Bowthorpe Marsh Bowthorpe Marsh 5.9 hectares
(15 acres) 		Norwich
52°37′48″N 1°13′16″E / 52.630°N 1.221°E / 52.630; 1.221 (Bowthorpe Marsh)
TG 181 085 		Norwich Map Details This site adjacent to the River Yare has unimproved grassland, tall fen, a seasonal pond and drainage ditches, which have aquatic plants such as reed sweet-grass.[12]
Breydon Water Breydon Water 449.1 hectares
(1,110 acres) 		Great Yarmouth
52°36′25″N 1°41′02″E / 52.607°N 1.684°E / 52.607; 1.684 (Breydon Water)
TG 495 074 		Great Yarmouth Ramsar,[13] SPA,[14] SSSI[15][16] Map Details This inland tidal estuary has large areas of mud at low tide, and it provides an ample food supply for migrating and wintering wildfowl and waders. There are nationally important numbers of several species of wintering wildfowl, including rare species.[17]
Broome Heath Broome Heath 31.7 hectares
(78 acres) 		Bungay
52°28′12″N 1°27′11″E / 52.470°N 1.453°E / 52.470; 1.453 (Broome Heath)
TM 346 914 		South Norfolk SM,[18] SSSI[19] Map Details This site in the valley of the River Waveney has marshy grazing land and lakes. At the southern end there is a Neolithic settlement,[20] and in the middle there are long and round barrows.[18]
Brundall Church Fen Brundall Church Fen 2.8 hectares
(6.9 acres) 		Norwich
52°37′16″N 1°25′34″E / 52.621°N 1.426°E / 52.621; 1.426 (Brundall Church Fen)
TG 320 081 		Broadland Map Details Fauna in this former gazing marsh include water voles, foxes, Chinese water deer and occasionally otters.[21]
Danby Wood Danby Wood 3.9 hectares
(9.6 acres) 		Norwich
52°36′11″N 1°16′30″E / 52.603°N 1.275°E / 52.603; 1.275 (Danby Wood)
TG 219 056 		Norwich Map Details This semi-natural wood on a former chalk mine has many hills, hollows and banks. Broadleaved trees include oaks, limes, sycamores and two walnuts.[22]
Dunston Common Dunston Common 3.8 hectares
(9.4 acres) 		Norwich
52°34′26″N 1°17′02″E / 52.574°N 1.284°E / 52.574; 1.284 (Dunston Common)
TG 226 025 		South Norfolk Map Details Most of this site is grassland with flora including lady's bedstraw, harebell and sheep's sorrel. There is also an area of semi-mature woodland at the western end.[23]
Earlham Park Woods Earlham Park Wood 8.1 hectares
(20 acres) 		Norwich
52°37′23″N 1°13′52″E / 52.623°N 1.231°E / 52.623; 1.231 (Earlham Park Woods)
TG 188 077 		Norwich Map Details This is an area of woodland fringing Earlham Park, and trees include regenerating elms. Other habitats include tall marsh, unimproved grassland and a pond which has silted up.[24]
Eaton Common Eaton Common 5.3 hectares
(13 acres) 		Norwich
52°35′53″N 1°15′32″E / 52.598°N 1.259°E / 52.598; 1.259 (Eaton Common)
TG 208 050 		Norwich Map Details This site on the bank of the River Yare is mainly grassland, some of which is marshy. There are also small areas of broadleaved woodland and tall herbs.[25]
Felmingham Cutting Felmingham Cutting 1.0 hectare
(2.5 acres) 		Norwich
52°48′29″N 1°20′02″E / 52.808°N 1.334°E / 52.808; 1.334 (Felmingham Cutting)
TG 248 286 		North Norfolk Map Details Sixteen species of butterfly breed on this railway cutting, which is on a former line of the Midland and Great Northern Railway, and is now part of the Weavers Way long-distance footpath.[26]
Great Eastern Pingo Trail Great Eastern Pingo Trail 4.2 hectares
(10 acres) 		Thetford
52°30′14″N 0°50′28″E / 52.504°N 0.841°E / 52.504; 0.841 (Great Eastern Pingo Trail)
TL 929 934 		Breckland NCR,[27] NWT,[28] SAC,[29] SPA,[30]

SSSI[31][32][33]

Map Details This site has around 300 pingos, shallow pools formed when ice melted at the end of the last ice age. There is a mosaic of habitats with a large lake, Thompson Water, at the western end.[34][35]
Hindringham Meadows Hindringham Meadows 6.7 hectares
(17 acres) 		Fakenham
52°54′00″N 0°55′12″E / 52.900°N 0.920°E / 52.900; 0.920 (Hindringham Meadows)
TF 965 376 		North Norfolk Map Details No information is available about this site.
Knapton Cutting Knapton Cutting 0.9 hectares
(2.2 acres) 		North Walsham
52°50′42″N 1°24′43″E / 52.845°N 1.412°E / 52.845; 1.412 (Knapton Cutting)
TG 299 329 		North Norfolk Map Details Knapton Cutting is a footpath from Knapton to North Walsham along the former North Walsham to Mundesley railway line. A short stretch at the northern end is the LNR, called Knapton Cutting Butterfly Reserve. It has a variety of flowering plants, including small-flowered catchfly, which is classified as endangered in Britain.[36]
Lion Wood Lion Wood 8.9 hectares
(22 acres) 		Norwich
52°37′44″N 1°19′12″E / 52.629°N 1.320°E / 52.629; 1.320 (Lion Wood)
TG 248 087 		Norwich Map Details Around a third of this wood is believed to be ancient. The dominant trees are oak and sycamore, and there is a variety of woodland birds such as blackcaps and green and greater spotted woodpeckers.[37]
Litcham Common Litcham Common 24.9 hectares
(62 acres) 		King's Lynn
52°43′05″N 0°47′20″E / 52.718°N 0.789°E / 52.718; 0.789 (Litcham Common)
TF 885 170 		Breckland Map Details This heathland site has areas of acid grassland, wet and dry heath, scrub and mature oak and birch woodland.[38]
Marston Marshes Marston Marshes 25.9 hectares
(64 acres) 		Norwich
52°36′07″N 1°16′05″E / 52.602°N 1.268°E / 52.602; 1.268 (Marston Marshes)
TG 214 055 		Norwich Map Details This site in the flood plain of the River Yare has marshes, fen, dykes, scrub, wet woodland, dry grassland and five ponds. Flora include ragged robin and southern marsh orchid and there many invertebrates including the rare Desmoulin's whorl snail.[39]
Mousehold Heath Mousehold Heath 74.0 hectares
(183 acres) 		Norwich
52°38′35″N 1°18′50″E / 52.643°N 1.314°E / 52.643; 1.314 (Mousehold Heath)
TG 243 102 		Norwich GCR,[40] SSSI[41] Map Details This fragment of a formerly extensive heath has habitats including woodland, a pond, scrub and acid grassland. There are woodland birds such as song thrushes and great spotted woodpeckers.[42]
Pigney's Wood Pigney's Wood 20.9 hectares
(52 acres) 		North Walsham
52°50′13″N 1°24′14″E / 52.837°N 1.404°E / 52.837; 1.404 (Pigney's Wood)
TG 294 320 		North Norfolk NWT[43] Map Details This wood has 40 different species of trees, most of which have been planted since 1993, but there is a 450 year old oak. There is also a range of birds, butterflies and dragonflies. Mammals include otters, water voles and badgers.[43]
Roydon Fen Roydon Fen 17.2 hectares
(43 acres) 		Diss
52°22′30″N 1°05′06″E / 52.375°N 1.085°E / 52.375; 1.085 (Roydon Fen)
TM 101 797 		South Norfolk SWT[44] Map Details This site was taken over by wet woodland in the twentieth century, but the SWT has restored the eastern end to fen by mowing, and it has many typical fen plants such as marsh helleborine, marsh fragrant orchid and sawsedge.[44]
Smockmill Common Smockmill Common 10.0 hectares
(25 acres) 		Norwich
52°32′10″N 1°16′08″E / 52.536°N 1.269°E / 52.536; 1.269 (Smockmill Common)
TM 218 981 		South Norfolk Map Details This site next to the River Tas has fen on the river bank and woodland and grassland in other areas. The flora is very diverse.[45]
South Walsham Fen South Walsham Fen 1.4 hectares
(3.5 acres) 		Norwich
52°39′40″N 1°28′26″E / 52.661°N 1.474°E / 52.661; 1.474 (South Walsham Fen)
TG 350 127 		Broadland Map Details This nature reserve has semi-improved grassland and species-rich hedges which mark an ancient track. There are also areas of bracken[46] and old woodland.[47]
Southrepps Common Southrepps Common 12.9 hectares
(32 acres) 		Norwich
52°51′54″N 1°21′29″E / 52.865°N 1.358°E / 52.865; 1.358 (Southrepps Common)
TG 261 350 		North Norfolk SAC[48] SSSI[49] Map Details This is damp grassland and fen in the valley of the River Ant. There are several rare true flies characteristic of undisturbed wetlands, especially Pteromicra glabricula and Colobaea distincta, both of which have larvae which are parasitic on snails.[50]
Toll's Meadow, Wymondham Toll's Meadow 1.7 hectares
(4.2 acres) 		Wymondham
52°34′01″N 1°06′47″E / 52.567°N 1.113°E / 52.567; 1.113 (Toll's Meadow, Wymondham)
TG 111 011 		South Norfolk Map Details The River Tiffey runs through this site, which has wet meadow and woodland. There is a variety of small birds and mammals include muntjac and roe deer, bank voles and common shrews.[51]
Wensum Valley Wensum Valley 8.2 hectares
(20 acres) 		Norwich
52°38′24″N 1°15′54″E / 52.640°N 1.265°E / 52.640; 1.265 (Wensum Valley)
TG 210 097 		Norwich Map Details This site is in two adjacent areas. Mile Cross Marsh has damp grassland and fen and Sycamore Crescent is a narrow stretch of mature oak and beech woodland with an understorey of elm and sycamore.[52]
Whitlingham Marsh Whitlingham Marsh 15.5 hectares
(38 acres) 		Norwich
52°37′19″N 1°21′40″E / 52.622°N 1.361°E / 52.622; 1.361 (Whitlingham Marsh)
TG 276 080 		South Norfolk Map Details Most of this site on the southern bank of the River Yare is reed beds, which have many dragonflies. Chinese water deer sometimes browse in the marsh.[53]
Wiveton Down Wiveton Down 6.5 hectares
(16 acres) 		Holt
52°56′13″N 1°01′26″E / 52.937°N 1.024°E / 52.937; 1.024 (Wiveton Down)
TG 033 420 		North Norfolk SSSI[54] Map Details This is a classic example of an esker, a glacial crevasse which has been filled in until it forms a narrow winding ridge. It has been very important for teaching, research and demonstration.[55]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ The area is taken from the Natural England map of each site. (Click on the identify icon (i) in the "Feature Tools" and then click on the site.)
  2. ^ The location is taken from the Natural England details page for the site.
  3. ^ The maps are on the Natural England database of local nature reserves.
  4. ^ Details are on the pages on each site in the Natural England database of local nature reserves.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b "Norfolk". Encyclopedia Britannica. 5 September 2018. Archived from the original on 10 July 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  2. ^ "Population of Norfolk". Norfolk Insight. Archived from the original on 2 September 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  3. ^ "Local councils". Norfolk County Council. Archived from the original on 17 March 2017. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  4. ^ "Protected or Designated Areas". Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Natural England. 9 April 2013. Archived from the original on 4 May 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
  5. ^ "Local Nature Reserves: Setting up and Management". Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Natural England. 2 October 2014. Archived from the original on 4 July 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
  6. ^ a b "Local Nature Reserves: Search results for Norfolk". Natural England. Archived from the original on 22 May 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  7. ^ "Designated Sites View: Breckland". Special Area of Conservation. Natural England. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  8. ^ "Designated Sites View: Breckland". Special Protection Area. Natural England. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  9. ^ "Designated Sites View: Barnhamcross Common". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  10. ^ "Barnhamcross Common citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 March 2018. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  11. ^ "Bath Hills". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Archived from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  12. ^ "Bowthorpe Marsh". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  13. ^ "Designated Sites View: Breydon Water". Ramsar Site. Natural England. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  14. ^ "Designated Sites View: Breydon Water". Special Protection Area. Natural England. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  15. ^ "Designated Sites View: Breydon Water". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  16. ^ "Designated Sites View: Halvergate Marshes". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  17. ^ "Breydon Water citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 March 2018. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  18. ^ a b "Long barrow and round barrows on Broome Heath". Historic England. Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  19. ^ "Designated Sites View: Broome Heath Pit". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  20. ^ "Broome Heath Enclosure. Neolithic settlement site". Norfolk Historic Environment Service. Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  21. ^ "Brundall Church Fen". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Archived from the original on 6 July 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  22. ^ "Danby Wood". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Archived from the original on 6 July 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  23. ^ "Dunston Common". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  24. ^ "Earlham Park Woods". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Archived from the original on 6 July 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  25. ^ "Eaton Common". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  26. ^ "Felmingham Cutting". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  27. ^ Ratcliffe, pp. 138–39
  28. ^ "Thompson Common". Norfolk Wildlife Trust. Archived from the original on 22 May 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  29. ^ "Designated Sites View: Norfolk Valley Fens". Special Area of Conservation. Natural England. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  30. ^ "Designated Sites View: Breckland". Special Protection Area. Natural England. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  31. ^ "Designated Sites View: Thompson Water, Carr and Common". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  32. ^ "Designated Sites View: Breckland Forest". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  33. ^ "Designated Sites View: Cranberry Rough, Hockham". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Archived from the original on 19 August 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  34. ^ "Great Eastern Pingo Trail". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Archived from the original on 22 May 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  35. ^ "The Pingo Trail Walk". Explore Norfolk. Archived from the original on 25 July 2017. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  36. ^ "Paston Way & Knapton Cutting (CWS 1175)". Norfolk Wildlife Trust. Archived from the original on 28 October 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  37. ^ "Lion Wood". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Archived from the original on 6 July 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  38. ^ "Litcham Common". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Archived from the original on 6 July 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  39. ^ "Marston Marshes". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Archived from the original on 6 July 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  40. ^ "St James's Pit, Norwich (Jurassic – Cretaceous Reptilia)". Geological Conservation Review. Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Archived from the original on 26 May 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  41. ^ "Designated Sites View: St James' Pit". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Archived from the original on 16 June 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  42. ^ "Mousehold Heath". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Archived from the original on 16 June 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  43. ^ a b "Pigneys Wood". Norfolk Wildlife Trust. Archived from the original on 22 May 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  44. ^ a b "Roydon Fen". Suffolk Wildlife Trust. Archived from the original on 3 April 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  45. ^ "Smockmill Common". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Archived from the original on 6 July 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  46. ^ "South Walsham Fen". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Archived from the original on 6 July 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  47. ^ "The Stables – South Walsham: Species and Biodiversity Report" (PDF). Oakes Environmental. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 July 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  48. ^ "Designated Sites View: Norfolk Valley Fens". Special Area of Conservation. Natural England. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  49. ^ "Designated Sites View: Southrepps Common". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Archived from the original on 16 June 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  50. ^ "Southrepps Common citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 March 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  51. ^ "Toll's Meadow, Wymondham". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Archived from the original on 6 July 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  52. ^ "Wensum Valley (Mile Cross Marsh and Sycamore Crescent)". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Archived from the original on 6 July 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  53. ^ "Whitlingham Marsh". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Archived from the original on 6 July 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  54. ^ "Designated Sites View: Wiveton Downs". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Archived from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  55. ^ "Wiveton Downs citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 March 2018. Retrieved 23 June 2018.

Sources

  • Ratcliffe, Derek, ed. (1977). A Nature Conservation Review. Vol. 2. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-21403-2.

52°40′N 1°00′E / 52.667°N 1.000°E / 52.667; 1.000