Green space near Belton, Great Yarmouth Sure Start Centre

Upton Broad and Marshes

Access: By car (30 minutes)
Who owns it: Norfolk Wildlife Trust
What it’s famous for: A tranquil haven for wildlife in the heart of the Norfolk Broads. Its biggest attraction are its dragonflies.  Great for these visitors: Walkers as well as wildlife enthusiasts, particularly those interested in birds, insects, and plants.    
Opening times and cost: Open dawn til dusk all year round. Free entry. 
Facilities/visitor info: The reserve car park is located between the villages of Upton and South Walsham, off Low Road. An alternative car park is located at Upton Boat Dyke. Public footpaths take visitors through grazing marsh, and NWT paths continue into fenland. The NWT operates a no dog policy in the fen and broad areas, and visitors are requested to keep dogs under control in the grazing marsh areas to avoid disturbance to wildlife and stock.    
Address and how to get there: NR13 6EQ. Upton Broad and Marshes is 3.5km (2.2 miles) northwest of Acle. From Belton head south along Beccles road, and take the A143 towards Great Yarmouth until you reach the A47 slip road. Take the A47 to Acle, and continue on until you reach The Windle. Turn right onto The Windle and follow it until you hit Acle Road. Continue on the Acle road to reach Low Road, and the reserve carpark.
What to take: Sturdy boots and outdoor clothing is essential, as paths are muddy all year round. As there is no visitor centre on site, be sure to take water and food with you.
Key activities: Take a walk along the circular trail in the late spring and summer and look out for dragonflies and butterflies.

Berney Marshes and Breydon Water

Access: By public transport (bus then train; approx. 50 minutes), boat.
Who owns it:  RSPB     
What it’s famous for: Iconic Norfolk landscapes and a magnificent setting site for watching birdlife.    
Great for these visitors: Walkers and birdwatchers.    
Opening times and cost: Open at all times free of charge.    
Facilities/visitor info: Dogs are only permitted on public footpaths and bridleways.    
Address and how to get there: NR31 9PZ. By public transport: Take the X11 to Great Yarmouth (service every 30 mins from Amhurst Gardens) and then take the train to Berney Arms Station. By boat: Moorings are available along the river Yare near the Berney Arms Windmill.    
What to take: Be sure to wear suitable outdoor footwear, as footpaths are unsurfaced, and so certain areas may be uneven and muddy.
Key activities: Visitors can enjoy a very pleasant walk along the Wherryman’s way footpath along the estuary and river Yare. Birdwatching is particularly special here during the colder months when huge numbers of waders and wildfowl come to the reserve. Given the stunning landscapes and wildlife showcased at this site, it is a perfect setting for photography and sketching all year round.

Key species at this site:

Hickling Broad

Access: By car (approx. 45 minute journey)
Who owns it: Norfolk Wildlife Trust    
What it’s famous for: This site is the biggest of the Broads and is carefully managed to support the spectacular array of different wildlife which calls it home.    
Great for these visitors: Suitable for all ages and walking abilities due to managed paths and boardwalks. Bird and invertebrate enthusiasts regularly visit this site sue to the abundance of wildlife it supports all year round.    
Opening times and cost: Open dawn til dusk all year round. Members of the NWT and children go free. Non-members fee is £4. The visitor centre is open from 29 March to 28 October, 10am to 5pm.    
Facilities/visitor info: Disabled access, carpark, toilets, and visitor centre on site. Guided wildlife boat trips are available when the visitor centre is open. Trips run every day and cost under £10 per person. For guided boat trip bookings and further information please call 01692 598276. No dogs are allowed on the reserve.    
Address and how to get there: NR12 0BW. From Belton take Beccles Road south, followed by the A143 towards Great Yarmouth, and then the A47 north until you reach the A149. Take Potter Heigham road until you reach Hickling village. From Hickling village, follow the ‘brown badger’ tourist signs.    
What to take: Binoculars
Key activities: Wildlife Detective explorer bags for children are available to hire: £10 deposit and £1.50 charge. If possible bring binoculars for use at the hides on the reserve. During the summer months explore the more hidden corners of the reserve by following the circular trails, or taking a boat trip; these are the best ways to spot all manner of birdlife, dragonflies, damselflies and the stunning Swallowtail butterfly.

Waveney Forest

Access: By bus and on foot (30 minutes); by car (7 minutes)
Who owns it: Privately owned, managed by the Woodland Trust.    
What it’s famous for: One of very few woodlands to serve the Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft areas.     
Great for these visitors: This is an ideal place to visit to spot a wide variety of woodland species, from unique birds to deer.    
Opening times and cost: Open all year round, free of charge.    
Facilities/visitor info: There are no toilets on site or food outlets on site so take food and water as required.    
Address and how to get there: By car from Belton follow Bracon Road south and take Beccles Road, then turn right onto New Road. By bus, take the no.580 to Butter Cross from the Beccles Road-Lound Road intersection, and get off at the Decoy Tavern. Cross the road and walk up New Road to access the forest.    
What to take: Be sure to wear long sleeved clothes and trousers to avoid getting ticks.
Key activities: Do bark rubbings, collect different natural objects and make some wild art.

This is a fantastic place to spot typical woodland species

Strumpshaw Fen

Access: By public transport (1hr 30 minutes by bus then train); by car ( 40 minutes)
Who owns it: RSPB    
What it’s famous for: It has a range of different habitats which means it’s a great place to spot all sorts of amazing wildlife, from plants and reptiles, to birds and insects!    
Opening times and cost: The reserve is open dawn til dusk all year round. The reception desk is open 9.30am to 5.00pm between April and September, and from 10.00am to 4.00pm between October and March. Adults £4.50, children £2.50, under 5s go free.    
Facilities/visitor info: The site is well-equipped for visitors with a carpark, information centre, picnic tables, and toilets. There are also nature trails and bird hides for optimum nature sightings. Visitors can also hire binoculars during their time on the reserve.     
Address and how to get there: NR13 4HS. By public transport, take the X11 to Great Yarmouth, and get off at Fitzalan Close stop. Then take the Norwich via Acle train from Great Yarmouth Railway Station. Get off at Brundall station. From the station walk up the hill (Station Road) towards Brundall village. At the main road turn right and walk through Brundall. Continue under the bridge towards Strumpshaw. Soon after you pass the Strumpshaw sign, turn right into Stone Road, and immediately right again into Low Road. Strumpshaw Fen nature reserve is 500m down Low Road on the right.
By car take Beccles road south out of Belton, followed by the A143 and the A47 towards Great Yarmouth and then Acle. Once out of Acle, take the B1140 through Beighton and South Burlingham where it turns into High Road. Turn slightly right onto Cantley Road and left onto Wood Lane. Follow wood Lane until you reach Stone Road, and then turn left onto Low Road. The carpark is 500m down Low Road on the right.    
What to take: Be sure to wear insect repellent and sun cream in the summer.
Key activities: Have a picnic, go birdwatching in the hides, take a pleasant stroll around the reserve taking in the feel of the different habitats.

Burgh Castle 

Access: By car (7 minutes) On foot (30 minutes)
Who owns it: Managed by Norfolk Archaeological Trust    
What it’s famous for: The 3rd century fort is one of the best preserved Roman monuments in Britain, and has spectacular views over Breydon Water.    
Great for these visitors: Those interested in early English history, artists, nature-lovers.    
Opening times and cost: Open all year round, free entry.    
Facilities/visitor info: Free carpark at Butts Lane, the all-weather path around the site is accessible to those with limited mobility, and buggies. There are no toilets on site. Free guided tours of the site are available with no need to pre-book every Sunday from June to September at 2:30pm. Dogs on leads welcome.    
Address and how to get there: NR31 9QB. From Belton, take New Road North out of the village until you reach Butt Lane. Take Butt lane and continue along it until you reach the site entrance.    
What to take: Take a picnic to enjoy whilst you take in the views.
Key activities: Walk along the Norfolk’s longest boardwalk around the site, whilst taking in the views over Breydon water and the surrounding marshlands. As you walk along look out for birds and insects. On Sundays free guided tours of the site give you some historical context to the fort.

North Denes Beach, Great Yarmouth

Access: By bus (50 minutes) By car (20 minutes)
Who owns it: Managed by the Great Yarmouth Borough Council.    
What it’s famous for: Beautiful wide sand dunes and peaceful sandy beaches. This area has become the summer home of some special migratory birds.    
Great for these visitors: Children and adults who enjoy a day at the seaside! Dog walkers and sea bird enthusiasts.    
Opening times and cost: Open access all year round, free of charge.    
Facilities/visitor info: Along North beach there is paid parking, disabled access, and toilets. The beach and dunes are ideal for dog walking, but please keep these under control to avoid disturbing nesting birds, such as little terns.    
Address and how to get there: By bus, first take the X11 from Amhurst Gardens to Fitzalan Close, then take the number 8 bus towards Caister. Get off at the Salisbury Road stop. Walk a further 4 metres to the beach. By car, take the Beccles Road south out of Belton, and then take the A143 towards Great Yarmouth. Take the A47 north, then take the A149. Continue along the A149 then take Caister road, before taking Beaconsfield Road and finally North Drive.    
What to take: Sun hats and suncream are advised during the summer months. If windy, a wind screen is also useful.
Key activities: Have a hunt for pebbles and shells on the beach, make some beach art in the sand, have a picnic, and of course have a paddle!
Key species: little terns

Winterton dunes and beach

Access: By car (45 minutes)
Who owns it: Managed by Natural England    
What it’s famous for: Its peaceful sandy beach, the dunes which are of national and international importance due to the rare plant and animal life which they support. This is an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ and a ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest’.    
Great for these visitors: Dog walkers, families, nature-lovers.    
Opening times and cost: Open access and free all year round.    
Facilities/visitor info: There is no visitor centre on site, though there is café overlooking the beach. There is a carpark on Winterton Road, a short distance from the beach. Dogs are permitted, though given the presence of adders as well as nesting birds, it is best to keep them on paths.    
Address and how to get there:     
What to take: Given that the beach is very exposed to the elements, take sun cream/waterproof clothing as required depending on the time of year.
Key activities: Have a picnic on the beach, stroll amongst the dunes and on the beach, have a paddle in the sea, try to spot some seals.

Trinity Broads

Access: By car; by bus
Who owns it: Managed by the Broads Authority    
What it’s famous for: The Trinity Braods make up 14% of the open water of the Broads, they are a hidden gem of tranquil broads landscape and a haven for an array of special wildlife.    
Great for these visitors: Walkers, wildlife enthusiasts, anglers.    
Opening times and cost: Open all year round, free of charge.    
Facilities/visitor info: This is a large site made up of a number of water bodies. There is no visitor centre on site, but access to the Broads is possible from a number of areas. There are boardwalks on the site which make it accessible to wheelchair users and buggies. There are also viewing platforms and a bird hide,a s well as designated platforms for fishing.    
Address and how to get there: By car from Belton, take Beccles Road south and then the A143 and A47 to Great Yarmouth. From Great Yarmouth continue along the A47 north and take the A149 from Caister. From Caister continue along A149 to Rollesby and Ormesby Broads, or via A1064 to the Filby Broad. There are carparks at both these access points. By bus, take the X11 to Great Yarmouth from Amhurst Gardens and get off at Stonecutters Way. Walk 2 minutes and get the no.6 from Haven Bridge House towards North Walsham. Get off at Burch Wood Road stop.    
What to take: Given there is no visitor centre, take food and water as required.
Key activities: Walking along the boardwalks, fishing from the designated platforms, rowing boat hire.

Key species at this site: