Upton Broad and Marshes

Situated within the Bure valley, just upstream of Acle, NWT Upton Broad and Marshes is an area of quiet beauty and wildness. It is protected and managed by NWT, and supports some of Broadland’s rarest wildlife: from swallowtail butterflies and Norfolk hawker dragonflies to water voles, otters and a host of wetland plants.

Here you will find primeval-looking alder carr woodlands, open water, fens, reed-fringed dykes and grazing marshes. The nature reserve is a microcosm of the Broadland world and, in the words of the famous local naturalist Ted Ellis, offers ‘a breathing space for the cure of souls’.

Part of the Bure Valley Living Landscape.

Click here to download the reserve leaflet for points of interest (0.5mb).

Dog policy:
NWT no dogs policy on Upton Fen and Broad. Public footpaths lead through Upton grazing marshes, and also around the southern edge of the reserve (Cargate Lane to Holly Farm). Visitors are requested to keep dogs under control to avoid disturbance to wildlife and stock.

Post code:

NR13 6EQ

Reserve information and details
What to see at Upton Broad and Marshes

Opening times

Season	Opening Days	Opening Hours
Year round	Everyday	Dawn till dusk

Prices

There is no charge for access to this reserve.

Directions and Transport

NWT Upton Broad and Marshes is 3km west of Acle. Turn north off the A47 into B1140 (S Walsham). Take the first right (1.3km) into Green Lane. After another 1.3km (County Farm) go straight on up the hill for 275m, break away from the traffic flow and go straight on into Mill Road. Go straight over at the next minor junction for another 300m. At Holly Farm go straight on into Low Road and the NWT car park is on the right. Postcode: NR13 6EQ

Facts

Type:	open water, fen, reedbed, carr woodland, grazing marsh and arable land
Size:	300 Hectares
Designation:	SSSI, Ramsar, SAC, SPA
Map reference:	OS Landranger 134
Grid reference:	TG 380 137

Did you know?

NWT Upton Broad and Marshes is currently undergoing a major restoration programme to draw together several recently acquired parcels of land and manage them as a new large area for wildlife. This process will take many years. You may see evidence of restoration work happening around you, please observe all safety signs. The nature reserve is also one of the UK’s top ten sites for dragonflies.

Facilities

Information board, way-marked trail and boardwalks. Reserve leaflet. Paths can be muddy year round.

No available access by canoe.

Visitor centre

What to look for

Spring/summer

swallowtail and white admiral butterfly, Norfolk hawker and hairy dragonfly, variable damselfly, marsh helleborine, milk parsley, greater spearwort, round-leaved wintergreen, bog pimpernel, frogbit, water soldier, stoneworts, reed warbler, yellow wagtail, hobby.