Redgrave & Lopham Fen National Nature Reserve

A family walking at Redgrave & Lopham Fen in Suffolk

Redgrave & Lopham Fen - Matthew Clarke

Redgrave & Lopham Fen Suffolk Wildlife Trust

By Steve Aylward

Redgrave & Lopham Fen Suffolk Wildlife Trust

By Steve Aylward

Grazing ponies at Redgrave & Lopham Fen

Grazing ponies - Debs Crawford

Frosty Redgrave & Lopham Fen – Debs Crawford

Frosty Redgrave & Lopham Fen – Debs Crawford

Redgrave & Lopham Fen National Nature Reserve

The largest valley fen in England and one the most important wetlands in Europe, Redgrave & Lopham Fen has a rich diversity of plant life across 432 acres of lowland fen, grassland, and woodland.

Location

Low Common Road, South Lopham
Diss
Suffolk
IP22 2HX

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A static map of Redgrave & Lopham Fen National Nature Reserve

Know before you go

Size
163 hectares
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Entry fee

Free entry to reserve. Charges apply for school visits to the education centre.
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Parking information

Free car park.
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Bicycle parking

Yes
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Grazing animals

Ponies graze the reserve all year round. Seasonal cattle grazing.

Please refer to links in walking trails for more information.
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Walking trails

Unsuitable for wheelchairs.

Do’s and don’ts when walking with livestock       
Ponies on our nature reserves

Trail map

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Access

Fully accessible education centre with disabled toilet. Picnic area and designated parking. Nature reserve trails are unsuitable for wheelchairs.

No drone flying without express permission.
(Permission will only be granted in exceptional circumstances)

If you'd like to visit this reserve as a group, please contact us in advance.

Find out why we ask you to keep your dog on a short lead at most of our reserves and why this is important for wildlife conservation. Why we ask dogs are kept on a lead

Dogs

image/svg+xmlOn a lead
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Facilities

Toilets
Picnic area
Accessible toilet

When to visit

Opening times

Open all year round

Best time to visit

March to September

About the reserve

This special place supports a diverse range of plants and animals, but it’s not just a fen. You can also explore the areas of woodland, heath and even follow the river Waveney that rises here.  Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast or just keen to get outside there is always something to enjoy here. As soon as you step out onto the fen you will experience the peace and tranquility of this wild open landscape.  

With over 270 plant species Redgrave and Lopham Fen boasts a diversity of plant life to satisfy the keenest of botanists. Those interested in birds will not be disappointed either. In the summer you can see hobbies skimming the pools catching dragonflies and an evening walk rewarded with the view of a hunting barn owl. In the winter you might be lucky enough to see the starling roost.

In 1956 the fen was the first place the fen raft spider was found in Britain and is still only found in a handful of places. You may be fortunate enough to see a spider at the water's edge, with cream or white stripes down its sides. Warm, windless days in summer are best for seeing the species. 

Contact us

Location map

Explore Redgrave & Lopham Fen from the air

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