Your Guide to Walking and Wildlife in East Anglia

The East of England is abundant with coastal marshes, ancient woodlands, and hidden heaths, making it the ideal location for nature lovers. Whether you’re a seasoned birdwatcher, a slow-paced walker, or simply craving space to reconnect with nature, the landscapes here offer some of the best spots for birdwatching and walking holidays.

Each season brings something different; from springtime birdsong in the woods to drama of wintering geese over salt-marshes. Here’s our round-up of some of the region’s most wild places, with nearby pubs to stop off along the way.

Suffolk

RSPB Minsmere is a haven for birdwatchers. Its mix of reedbeds, shingle beach, and heathland attracts avocets, bitterns, marsh harriers and seasonal migrants. Just along the coast, the National Trust’s Dunwich Heath turns into a sea of purple heather in late summer. With sweeping sea views and peaceful trails, it’s a great spot for walkers and home to Dartford warblers, nightjars, and a rich variety of insects and wildflowers. Nearby, Walberswick National Nature Reserve offers even more variety, from otters in the dykes to butterflies flitting through marsh grasses. For a bite to eat after a day of exploring, The Ship at Dunwich or The Westleton Crown are both within easy reach of the coastal trails and have large gardens and terraces to hideaway in.

Heading inland, Dedham Vale’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is known for its gentle hills and big sky views. Walking here takes you through riverside meadows, rolling farmland, and picturesque villages straight out of a Constable painting. Towards Bury St Edmunds you’ll find Lackford Lakes, who we've teamed up with as a Nature Guardian. It's a peaceful spot with lakes and reedbeds, popular among photographers and birdwatches, with sightings of kingfishers, lapwings, and wildfowl making it a rewarding visit any time of the year. A stay at The Weeping Willow in Barrow or The Crown in Stoke-by-Nayland puts you in close proximity to this part of the county.

Norfolk

In the north of the county, the vast Holkham National Nature Reserve is one of the largest nature reserves in England. Stretching across miles of coastline, this tranquil area attracts spoonbills, geese, and waders. Just along the shoreline, the nearby Blakeney National Nature Reserve and Blakeney Point offer a mix of salt-marsh, mudflats, and sand dunes – ideal for spotting migrating birds and taking a seal trip from Morston. The Wiveton Bell is perfectly placed for a relaxed lunch or early supper after a morning of birdwatching. Cley and Salthouse Marshes, with their network of hides and lagoons, are another standout for birdwatchers – especially during spring and autumn migrations.

Walkers will love the Norfolk Coast Path, which winds through Wells-next-the-Sea with its colourful beach huts and harbour views, all the way to the quiet beaches of Weybourne and Thornham. The Globe Inn or The Maltings offer a base right on the route – ideal for a mid-way pitstop or overnight stay. Inland, Sheringham Park and Holt Country Park offer woodland trails and elevated viewpoints over the coast.

Essex

Hatfield Forest, cared for by the National Trust, is one of the best-preserved medieval hunting forests in Europe. With ancient trees, wide grassy areas and a lake, it’s a haven for butterflies, dragonflies and woodland birds. It’s especially lovely in the spring and autumn, when the forest colours are at their most vibrant. Not far away, Widdington and Debden offer circular walks through wildflower meadows and farmland, ideal for a laid-back countryside escape.

A little further south, the Essex Way’s long-distance path winds through picturesque villages and rolling countryside between Epping and Harwich – perfect for walkers looking to tackle a section of rural trail. For those in search of wetland wildlife, Abberton Reservoir near Colchester is a designated Ramsar site and home to thousands of ducks and waders, making it a great year-round birdwatching spot. The Cricketers in Clavering and The Eight Bells in Saffron Walden both make excellent bases for exploring this part of the county.

Cambridgeshire

Just south of Cambridge, Wandlebury Country Park and Magog Down sit side by side, offering open views, pockets of woodland, and flower-rich grassland. Both are particularly picturesque in late spring and summer, when orchids bloom and skylarks call overhead. Head for a drink at The Carpenters Arms in Great Wilbraham located within easy access to these scenic trails.

Wicken Fen, one of the oldest nature reserves in the country, lies in the northeast of Cambridgeshire and is a real highlight for walkers and wildlife enthusiasts. Managed by the National Trust, it’s home to species like bitterns, marsh harriers, and dragonflies. Its raised boardwalks and wide fenland tracks are ideal for a gentle walk, soaking up the atmosphere of this unique wetland landscape.

Further west, Fen Drayton Lakes, an RSPB reserve, lies along the River Great Ouse. Its reedbeds, lakes and wet meadows attract and impressive variety of birdlife throughout the year. Nearby, Grafham Water offers longer-distance walking and cycling routes around the reservoir, with opportunities of birdwatching along the way. The Old Bridge in Huntingdon makes an ideal base, with its riverside location and welcoming atmosphere.

Whether you’re wandering through wildflower meadows, spotting waders on the salt-marsh, or simply soaking up the silence of a country trail, the East of England has a wild place waiting for you. So, lace up your walking boots, pack your binoculars, and discover the beauty of the region.