Breckland

The Brecks Living Landscape is a unique area of around 1,000 sq km (385 sq miles) in southwest Norfolk and northwest Suffolk. The area’s distinctive warm microclimate, acidic soils and long history of land-use revolving around sheep-grazing and rabbit-warrening has led to the creation of some of the country’s most important grass heathland areas.

These heaths support a huge range of wildlife, including the rare stone curlew, as well as many plants and insects found nowhere else in the country. However, less than 8,000 hectares of heathland remain in the region, as a result of increased agriculture and forestry.