Carlton Marshes
Carlton Marshes lies in the Waveney Valley at the southern tip of the Norfolk Broads and is part of the Suffolk Broads. It comprises over 120 acres of grazing marsh, fens and peat pools. It is the Broads in miniature. Flower studded marshes drained by a system of dykes and grazed by cattle in summer, creates a paradise for marsh land birds and birds of prey including the hobby and marsh harrier. Water vole may be seen in and around the dykes along with special plants including the rare and protected water soldier.
Read about our vision for a Living Landscape in the Suffolk Broads
In early summer wet fen meadows around Sprat’s Water are bursting with ragged-robin, & southern marsh orchid, lesser and greater spearwort and bogbean. Both Sprat’s and Round Water are the result of peat digging carried out long ago.
The open water in both these pools is heaving with life including insectivorous bladderwort. This unusual plant lives off unsuspecting water fleas which it traps and digests in bladder-like sacs under water.
Carlton Marshes is one of the best places in the UK for a range of freshwater snails which reflects the good water quality in the dykes. The reed and sedge beds along the river wall make ideal nesting cover for reed and sedge warblers, bearded tit, Cetti’s warbler and marsh harrier. An astounding 15 kinds of dragonfly have been spotted here including the rare Norfolk hawker.
Mowing and cattle grazing are used by the Trust to conserve the fen meadow and marshland wildlife. Dykes are regularly cleared and mud pumping is vital in the pools to prevent them silting up.
For information on Education Activities at Carlton Marshes click here.
We urgently need volunteers to help with school visits and events at Carlton Marshes - click here
For wildlife haven, just add water - Simon Barnes, The Times - read article
Other Trust reserves nearby: Castle Marshes, North Cove, Oulton Marshes.
Further information for education groups
Please visit the outdoor learning area of the website for information about opportunities for school groups.
Our education pages detail all our environmental education activity.
Special dates for your diaries
Orchids
May to June
This is a good time to see common spotted and southern marsh orchids on our reserve.
Events & Courses at Carlton Marshes
Volunteering opportunities at Carlton Marshes
Education centre - Tel: 01502 564250
Education officer
carlton.education
@suffolkwildlifetrust.orgYOE project worker yoe.project@
suffolkwildlifetrust.orgSuffolk Broads reserve warden
carlton.reserve
@suffolkwildlifetrust.orgDirections (Google Maps)
- Address
Burnt Hill Lane,Carlton Colville,Lowestoft
NR33 8HU - Grid reference
TM508920 (car park/reserve entrance) - Parking
Free car park at end of Burnt Hill Lane in front of education centre. The car park is open 7 days a week dawn till dusk. - Size
110 acres (44.9 hectares) - Access
The education centre is accessible to all and has a disabled toilet. Wheelchairs and pushchairs can use a firm path around part of the marsh including easy access gates. A disabled access route along the river wall from Oulton Broad is under construction. - Dogs
Dogs on leads only - STAR SPECIES
Norfolk hawker dragonfly
Cetti's warbler
Marsh harrier
Water vole - Status
Broads National Park
SSSI - Site of Special Scientific InterestA site of national importance identified by Natural England for its ecological or geological value.
Natura 2000 siteSites of European importance which host priority habitat types or priority species which are particularly at risk.
