Newbourne Springs nature reserve Suffolk Wildlife Trust

By Steve Aylward

Green hairstreak butterfly by Steve Aylward

By Steve Aylward

Newbourne Springs Nature Reserve

Wildflowers

This small wooded valley with its spring-fed stream used to be a source of water for Felixstowe. Together with its small area of marsh, fen and adjacent heathland this reserve is good for flowering plants and a variety of birds including nuthatch, treecreeper, goldcrest and all three kinds of woodpecker.

Location

Woodbridge Lane, Newbourne

Ipswich

Suffolk

IP12 4NY

OS Map Reference

TM274433

Know before you go

Size

21 hectares

Entry fee

Free

Parking information

Free car park at reserve entrance with space for up to six cars.

Grazing animals

Hebridean sheep graze periodically.

Walking trails

A marked trail takes you around the reserve. Walking conditions can be muddy and steep in places. Kissing gates, narrow boardwalk, steep slopes, steps and damp path sections all year round.

Trail map

Access

Not suitable for wheelchairs.

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

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

April to September

About the reserve

The woodland is like a secret garden where you instinctively tip-toe round corners and talk in hushed tones. Evocative nightingale song characterises the reserve in spring when you can find water avens and spectacular displays of marsh marigold alongside the stream. Careful scrutiny will also reveal common twayblade and the more open areas are covered in common spotted orchid. The woodland is dominated by oak, ash, alder, hazel and hawthorn.

Newbourne Springs is cared for by Suffolk Wildlife Trust on behalf of Anglian Water.