Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve
Please note the visitor centre will be closed on Friday 26 April for a private function. The cafe hatch will be open from 10am-2pm for refreshments and cakes. Toilets and the reserve will remain open as normal.
Location
Know before you go
Dogs
A Public Space Protection Order requires dogs to be kept on leads.
When to visit
Opening times
Daily dawn to duskBest time to visit
All year roundAbout the reserve
An astounding 28 species of dragonfly have been spotted here. Carlton Marshes is situated in the Waveney Valley at the southern tip of the Broads National Park, on the Suffolk-Norfolk boarder. It comprises a jigsaw of grazing marsh, fens, peat pools, short fen meadow, tall fen (called 'tall litter fen'), dykes, pools and scrub. Mostly man-made, these habitats have developed over hundreds of years of traditional management and now host specialised wildlife.
The flower studded marshes drained by a system of dykes and grazed by cattle in summer creates a paradise for marshland birds and birds of prey including hobby and marsh harrier. In early summer there is a fabulous display of southern marsh orchid, marsh marigold and ragged-robin, together with the scarcer bogbean, bog pimpernel and marsh cinquefoil. Water vole may also be seen near the visitor centre and in and around the dykes, along with plants including water soldier and frogbit. These habitats are ideal for the rare fen raft spider which was successfully reintroduced to the reserve in 2012. Carlton & Oulton Marshes are also one of the best places in the UK for a range of freshwater snails which reflects the good water quality in the dykes.
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.
The reserve is also one of the best sites in East Anglia to see grasshopper warblers. 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. The grazing marshes are also ideal for wintering wildfowl and breeding waders with lapwing and redshank displaying through the spring and large numbers of wigeon, teal and snipe in winter.
Group visits
We welcome pre-booked groups or parties to Carlton Marshes. Please let us know at least two weeks in advance of your arrival so we can be sure to accommodate you. If there’s an activity you’d like to take part in, or perhaps take a private tour or function, this can be arranged. Please give us a call on 01502 359480 or send an email to carlton.centre@suffolkwildlifetrust.org
Species
Contact us
Environmental designation
The story of Carlton Marshes
This wonderful animation tells the story of Carlton Marshes past and present – many thanks to Tim Britton and Heritage Fund:
Explore Carlton Marshes from the air
Latest news and blogs
Carlton Marshes Visitor Centre receives building awards
We're delighted that Carlton Marshes was recognised at the East Suffolk Quality of Place Awards with a 'Green Commendation…
Gaspard the Fox Book Reading
Carlton Marshes was lucky enough to have a book reading and live illustration demonstration from Gaspard the Fox author Zeb Soanes and…
Our Wild Mural Trail in Lowestoft
To celebrate the amazing Carlton Marshes nature reserve, the gateway to the southern Broads, we’ve created a series of murals painted by…
Arts Award comes to Carlton Marshes
This year, Carlton Marshes became the first nature reserve in the country to play host to an Arts Award course.
Time to tune-in to wildlife at Carlton Marshes
This autumn, with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, an exciting new opportunity to delve into the sounds of the marshes,…
Trustee cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats to fundraise for Carlton Marshes
Our trustee, Calum Thomson, is undertaking an amazing journey, to raise funds for Suffolk Wildlife Trust….