Weeting Heath

NWT Weeting Heath National Nature Reserve is one of the most important areas of heath in Breckland. Covered by open grassland and stony heath, the site is home to a number of rare plants, birds and insects. Of particular importance are the stone curlews which breed here. The hides overlooking the heath are undoubtedly the best place to see stone curlews in Britain, resident between April and September. A new 4.5km forest trail loop also offers a good chance to see coniferous specialists such as common crossbill.

Purchased for Norfolk Wildlife Trust by Christopher Cadbury in 1941, it was one of the first nature reserves in Breckland and was designated a National Nature Reserve in 1954. Facilities include welcoming visitor centre and forest walks.

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

Dog policy:
Some areas of reserve in ‘Open Access’, but only at certain times of the year. Please observe signage on site.

Post code:

IP26 4NQ

Contact Number:

01842 827615

Reserve information and details
What to see at Weeting Heath

Opening times

Season	Opening Days	Opening Hours
Visitor Centre – 25 March to 31 July	Daily	10am-5pm
Reserve – 25 March to September (Aug on demand due to nesting)	Daily	7am till dusk.

Prices

There is a small charge for non-members.

Non-members:	£4.25 (with Gift Aid)
Members and children:	Free

Directions and Transport

NWT Weeting Heath is just west of Brandon on the Norfolk/Suffolk border. Leave Brandon going north on the A1065 to Mundford. Cross the railway line on the outskirts of the town, then turn left to Weeting and Methwold. In the village of Weeting, turn left to Hockwold cum Wilton. The car park and visitor centre are signed 2.5km west of Weeting.

Entrance is from the car park on the Weeting-Hockwold cum Wilton road. Caution – traffic is fast along this road.

Facts

Type:	Breckland grass and lichen heath
Size:	138 Hectares
Designation:	NNR, SSSI, SAC, SPA
Map reference:	OS Landranger 143
Grid reference:	TL 757 881

Did you know?

This was the first nature reserve in the UK to fence rabbits in and use them as a primary management tool. Stone Age farmers, who cleared areas of forest to cultivate crops, first created the open Breck heaths. Rabbits were later introduced by the Normans and their foraging created the short grassland, rich in mosses and lichens, that we see today.

Facilities

Visitor centre and toilets (both with wheelchair access), displays about the heathland and stone curlews, hides and information boards. Woodland trail. Reserve leaflet.

Visitor centre

Hot drinks, ice creams, snacks, and books available from the visitor centre. Free car park.

What to look for

Spring/summer:
stone curlew, woodlark, tree pipit, wheatear, hobby, small copper, brown argus and speckled wood butterflies.

Year round:
green woodpecker, little owl, crossbill, buzzard.