Sweet Briar Marshes set for exciting upgrades as nature reserve marks first anniversary

As NWT Sweet Briar Marshes marks its first anniversary, exciting upgrades are on the way — from new wildlife viewing platforms and accessible facilities to enhanced conservation efforts, making the nature reserve better than ever for both nature and visitors.

Our ambitions to enhance our Norwich nature reserve, Sweet Briar Marshes, have received a major boost, thanks to further investment from project partners Aviva, alongside other generous funders.

The new funding which also includes significant investment from the Greater Norwich Growth Board, as well as The Geoffrey Watling Charity, will enable us to continue enhancing the nature reserve for wildlife and give more people in the community the chance to enjoy and connect with nature.

The 90-acre wildlife haven sits by the river Wensum in the northwest of the city and forms a ribbon of green through an urban environment, providing a nature burst for nearby residents – who have played a vital part in helping to shape the Trust’s vision for the nature reserve.

Opened to the public just over a year ago, wildlife continues to flourish thanks to the efforts of our conservation grazing cattle, and to volunteers who work alongside reserve staff on projects such as reducing the impacts of invasive species and restoring ponds and meadow habitat.

A group of British white cattle at Sweet Briar on a sunny day. They look like a pop group on an album cover.

The latest investment will help visitors get closer to the wonderful wildlife by supporting a range of on and off-site improvements. Lookout decks and wildlife observation screens will provide views over the most nature-rich meadows where groups of teal gather in winter and orchids bloom through summer. A new communal seating area will invite visitors to linger and enjoy the natural world. New information panels—many enhanced with audio description designed for blind or visually impaired people — will highlight the reserve’s unique biodiversity and history. Habitat improvement to benefit native plants and invertebrates, such as diversifying areas of grassland to contain more wildflowers and restoring ditches to open water habitat will take place alongside the infrastructure work.

Sweet Briar Marshes is already one of our most accessible reserves, with an easy-access path running through it and easy-open gates, as well as seating suitable for all. Around £545,000 of funding from the Greater Norwich Growth Board will further enhance this aspect, enabling the development of a small car park off Burnett Road for people with accessibility needs, and a Changing Places and accessible toilet. There will be space for coach or minibus parking for school or group visits. Improvements to the existing foot and cycle path and a new accessible entrance to the marshes will make it easier for visitors with limited mobility to explore the site.

Aerial image of yard adjacent to Sweet Briar Marshes.

A further £700,000 of funding from Aviva will also support the establishment of a dedicated base for reserve staff and volunteers near to the accessible parking point, significantly enhancing on-site conservation management, as well as funding three members of staff focused on engagement with the local community and boosting biodiversity on the site.

Natalie Bailey, our Director of Engagement, said: ‘We know that nature plays a vital role in people’s health and wellbeing, so it has been fantastic to work with local communities and hear their ideas on how we can create a nature reserve where everyone feels welcome. This funding allows us to turn some of these ideas into reality and ensure Sweet Briar Marshes is a place where wildlife can thrive and people of all backgrounds can experience nature on their doorstep and be inspired to care for it.’

Leah Ramoutar, Director of Environmental Sustainability at Aviva, said: ‘Everyone should have the chance to connect with nature and experience the many benefits it brings, which is why we’re proud to support improvements at Sweet Briar Marshes. By making the site more accessible, we’re helping to break down barriers and encourage more people to engage with local wildlife. As a company with deep roots in Norwich, we’re committed to helping make our community climate ready and our partnership with Norfolk Wildlife Trust is a great example of that.’

Cllr Mike Stonard, leader of Norwich City Council and chair of the Greater Norwich Growth Board, said: ‘We’re delighted to invest in this magnificent nature reserve which will enable more people from Norwich and beyond to enjoy the splendour and beauty of nature and our environment.’

FAQ's

What work is happening next at Sweet Briar Marshes?

Nearby:

Norfolk Wildlife Trust has purchased a small redundant yard at the end of Burnett Road. It will contain a small car park for people with accessibility needs and a Changing Places and accessible toilet. There will also be space for coach or minibus parking for school or group visits and a small base for our conservation work and volunteers. Improvements to the existing foot and cycle path and a new accessible entrance to the marshes will make it easier for visitors with limited mobility to explore the site. This work will take place over winter 2025 and will be finished by March 2026.

Onsite:

The latest investment will support several improvements, including lookout viewing platforms, wildlife observation screens, and communal seating areas that invite visitors to spend more time in nature. New information panels—many enhanced with audio description designed for blind or visually impaired people — will highlight the reserve’s unique biodiversity and history. The work will start in the winter of 2026 with a break in the spring and summer so that we don’t disturb breeding birds and other wildlife, and finish by March 2027.

How are you funding all this new work?

This phase of work at Sweet Briar Marshes has been made possible by our project partners, Aviva, the Greater Norwich Growth Board and the Geoffrey Watling Charity.

Why are you carrying out this work?

We want Sweet Briar Marshes to be a place where wildlife thrives, and people of all backgrounds can experience nature on their doorstep and be inspired to care for it.

The facilities we are proposing were highlighted during our discussions with local communities as the things that would help local people to access SBM, enjoy nature and volunteer. The next stage of our work will focus on achieving the following outcomes:

· improved inclusion and accessibility
· more school and group visits and learning
· more effective management of habitats and improved biodiversity
· more facilities to help visitors experience nature

How are you minimising disruption to wildlife during infrastructure work?

The infrastructure works have been designed to naturally work with the needs of the landscape and wildlife as much as possible. To minimise disruption, ecological surveys have been carried out to understand what is needed to compensate for any loss in habitat, and the works will be carried out at suitable times of year. The works will diversify areas of grassland to contain more wildflowers, restore ditches to open water habitat, create bare ground to benefit early successional flora and invertebrates, plant trees, and provide a green roof on the new workshop. The result will be a gain for nature of over 10% compared with current arrangements.

Can anyone use the new carpark and toilets?

No, the new car parking spaces and toilets are for people with accessibility needs. For those who are able, we encourage walking or cycling to the reserve via the well-established paths and routes. Alternatively, nearby public car parks are available. The nearest public toilets are situated at Sloughbottom Park.

See our reserve page for details.

Will I still be able to visit Sweet Briar Marshes while work is taking place?

Yes, although there may be some areas out of bounds while visitor infrastructure is being constructed on the reserve itself. Signs will clearly let visitors know what is going on and any areas that are currently off limits.

How can I keep up to date with progress?

You can keep up to date with progress as well as find out more about the wonderful wildlife and events taking place at Sweet Briar Marshes by requesting to sign up to our bi-monthly e-newsletter: markh@norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk

How has the local community been involved?

During 2023, our engagement team met members of the local community to gather ideas and feedback and gave talks in schools and community centres. They also ran free events, from guided walks to practical conservation tasks so people could get to know Sweet Briar Marshes prior to it being open to the public. Over one thousand people got involved in the community engagement process – their views helped shape our shared vision for the reserve, and we continue to value their views and feedback. We’ll continue to work with local communities on the detail of the design of these additional facilities.

How is Aviva involved in Sweet Briar Marshes?

Aviva are long-term supporters of NWT and provide financial contributions in several ways for purely charitable reasons. Aviva's stated goals for biodiversity and mitigating impacts of climate transition - the "Aviva Sustainability Ambition" has led them to support financially as project partners at NWT Sweet Briar Marshes. Norwich has been Aviva's historic home for over 200 years, and some 5,500 Aviva staff live and work here. Having helped NWT acquire the site in 2022, and the early phases of 'Discovery' and 'Restore', in May 2025 Aviva announced a new tranche of funding. This will support on and off-site infrastructure, Conservation and Engagement NWT staff roles, and habitat management and monitoring through to December 2027. NWT is very grateful for Aviva’s generous support, given in return for no title, ownership or influence over the management of the site.