Explore Norfolk’s wildlife by train
Greater Anglia is proud to be a supporter of the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, the oldest of the 46 UK wildlife trusts, who have worked for over 90 years to help protect Norfolk’s wildlife and wild places. These places include over 50 amazing NWT nature reserves, and there’s no need to use a car to reach some of the best ones – Take the train to see wildlife across Norfolk!
Norfolk contains some of the most biodiverse and wildlife rich habitats in the country, from The Broads to the North Norfolk Coast, from the ancient woodlands inland to unique heaths and fens of The Brecks. Our map above indicates just a few great sites that, with a short walk or bus ride, Greater Anglia can take you to enjoy.
The map (including colouring sheet - which is great for kids) can be found at Greater Anglia stations and on train services and ticket offices in Norfolk. Norfolk Wildlife Trust A4 colouring sheet For more information about NWT reserves and its work for Norfolk’s wildlife, as well as details of reserves admission, facilities and membership, please visit www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk
Here are some destinations you can visit
Roydon Common
11 minutes on No.48 bus from Kings Lynn Station
Norfolk’s most extensive heather heath, with stonechats, curlews, woodlarks and in summer, the dusk drilling of the nightjar.
Weeting Heath
8 minutes on No.48 bus from Brandon station/high st to Hockwold road
One of the finest remaining Breckland grass heaths and the best site in the country to watch the rare and unusual stone curlew. Visitor centre with toilets and refreshments.
Cley Marshes
20 minutes on C1 Coasthopper from Sheringham Station
Perched on the north Norfolk coast, Cley Marshes has a well-deserved reputation as one of the UK’s best birdwatching sites. In fact Sir David Attenborough named it one of his top ten places in the world to watch wildlife! NWT has a visitor centre with café, shop and toilets, as well as events and exhibition spaces.
Thorpe Marshes
9 minutes on 15A bus from Norwich Station
Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s urban nature reserve, on the edge of Norwich but in the Norfolk Broads, is a charming mix of flower- rich marshes criss-crossed with dykes that are home to many dragonflies.
Pigney’s Wood
2.2 miles from North Walsham Station via footpaths and Dilham canal
NWT’s new nature reserve has almost everything: new and old woodland, veteran trees, a variety of wetlands (including ponds, scrapes and reedbeds), open grassy meadows and Norfolk's only canal!
Ranworth Broad
19 minutes on 71A bus from Acle Station
A great place to experience the wildlife of the Broads. A boardwalk trail leads through woodland and reedbed to the floating visitor centre, with interactive activities and panoramic views over the private broad. Boat trips and refreshments.
West Runton
Go Rockpooling at West Runton and see what you can find! 0.6 mile from West Runton Station
Fascinating place to discover the creatures that used to call Norfolk home! The rockpools are perfect to investigate the secrets of the seashore. West Runton Beach café near the car park.
Frenze Beck
A boardwalk overlooks the reedbeds of this recently improved wetland on the edge of Diss. This site is managed by South Norfolk District Council.