Regular walks

A group of women walking along a costal footpath

Image credit: SolStock

Join us throughout the year on regular guided walks around the stunning landscapes of our reserves, accompanied by wildlife experts from wardens to writers.

Guided walks are perfect for new visitors wanting to discover the lay of the land, as well as regular visitors wanting to deepen their knowledge of Norfolk’s varied wildlife and landscapes. With most regular walks currently taking place at NWT Cley Marshes, NWT Hickling Broad and Marshes and NWT Thorpe Marshes, we also run seasonal sessions to ensure you get the most out of every month.

See a summary of our regular walks and upcoming events below. In the event of adverse weather, please contact the visitor centre to check for cancellations. Booking is essential for all walks.

A young man and woman walk along a path at a sunny nature reserve pushing an infant in a pram

NWT Cley and Salthouse Marshes (credit: Frederic Landes)

Cley Marshes (credit: Elizabeth Dack)

a landscape showing a path through Cley Marshes

Cley Marshes (credit: Andi Sapey)

Shingle beach and blue waves at Cley Marshes

Shingle beach at Cley Marshes (credit: Richard Osbourne)

Watery marshland at NWT Cley Marshes, with golden reeds in the foreground and a windmill in the background, with a flock of birds flying across the sky

NWT Cley Marshes in early morning sunlight (credit: Elizabeth Dack)

Regular walks at NWT Cley Marshes

Iron road ramble

First Tuesday of the month

Explore the habitats and wildlife in the less visited areas to the east of the reserve, taking in stunning views and coastal life at hides, marshes and the shingle ridge along the way.

Leg-stretch to Salthouse

First or last Wednesday of the month

Explore the less frequently visited parts of the reserve, discovering the history of the landscape along with the people and wildlife which inhabit it.

Length approx. 4.5 miles

An introduction to the birds of Cley

Second Sunday of the month

Discover the fantastically varied birdlife the reserve has to offer, perfect for people of all ages wanting to learn more about Norfolk’s birds.

Length approx. 2 miles

A life in Cley

Second or third Wednesday of the month

Join third-generation warden Bernard Bishop on an enlightening tour of Cley village, past and present.

Length approx. 2 miles

Circuit of Cley

Third or fourth Thursday of the month

Take a guided circular walk around the reserve and shingle ridge, discovering the unique wildlife and habitats of the North Norfolk coast.

Length approx. 3.5 miles (1 on shingle)

Mindfulness walk

Second Monday of the month

Connect to nature through mindfulness under the big skies and stillness of NWT Cley Marshes. Led by a qualified meditation teacher, take part in mindful walking, movement and breathwork.

Beach clean

Help us clean up our shore to benefit coastal wildlife. There is always lots of exciting wildlife, and we often find mysterious marine objects along the shore too.

David Tipling

Small white wildflowers found on Cley's shingle ridge

Wildflowers growing on a shingle ridge (credit: Vaughn Matthews)

Flock of lapwing (credit: Andrew Parkinson)

A reed warbler singing in a golden reedbed

Reed warbler (credit: Chris Gomersall)

Regular walks at NWT Hickling Broad and Marshes

Plants of Hickling

Discover the common and the rare plant life on the reserve, learning how some plants have been used to treat conditions throughout history and which you should avoid. From bedstraw to the Wayfaring Tree, the variety of plant life will surprise and inspire.

Length approx. 2.5 miles

Birds of Hickling

Take a circular walk with our guide, exploring the reserve's different habitats. You will learn how to identify the fantastic birds on the reserve by sight and sound. Suitable to those new to birdwatching or those wanting to learn more.

Length approx. 2.5 miles

Boom of the bittern

You’ll learn some fascinating facts about this rare and elusive marshland bird. Listen out for the booming call of the male bittern as we near Bittern hide, as they try to attract a mate. Once at the hide we’ll see if we can catch a glimpse of this pale, buff-brown heron.

Length approx. 2 miles

Regular walks at NWT Thorpe Marshes

Thorpe Marshes guided walk

Discover the beauty and hidden wildlife of NWT Thorpe Marshes, part of the Norfolk Broads yet just on the edge of Norwich in Thorpe St Andrew. Join local naturalist Chris Durdin for a guided walk through this special reserve, a landscape of grazed and ungrazed marshes, meandering ditches, and the open waters of St Andrew’s Broad.