Norfolk (UK) Botanical Walks

Norfolk Botanical Walks - Summer 2009

NW Norfolk - Introduction	The Broads - Introduction	Winterton - Introduction
NW Norfolk - the Walks	The Broads - the Walks	Winterton - the Walk

Prices & How to Book

Essential Information

Accommodation

Northwest Norfolk looks west over the Wash, an area of tidal mud that is an internationally significant wildfowl feeding area, and looks north over a North Sea lined by long sand beaches, dunes, saltmarsh and muddy estuarine creeks. Inland, there are Greensand deposits along the eastern edge of the Wash, originally with an acid-loving heathland flora, now much replaced by woodland, but fragments remain near Wolferton.

The tiny village of Wolferton was royal Sandringham's railway station on the now long-gone rail line to Hunstanton. Many of the houses belong to Sandringham, and are used by estate workers. Wolferton Fen and adjacent Dersingham Bog National Nature Reserve are also part of the Sandringham royal estate and are managed for their wildlife by English Nature. There are three distinct habitats, of which the most significant is acid valley mire, which lies on shallow peat in the lowest-lying areas. Past peat-cutting has further lowered the ground level thereby helping to keep the ground waterlogged for much of the year. This is the largest and most intact example of this habitat in East Anglia, with relics of a late-glacial flora. The wet acid peat contains 8 species of Sphagnum moss, plus county rarities including bog asphodel, round-leaved and long-leaved sundews, cranberry and white-beaked sedge. The area is also home to a number of rare insects, including dragonflies and water beetles. The micro-moth, Choristoneura lafauryana – which feeds on bog-myrtle – is found nowhere else in Britain, and is therefore rare enough not to have an English name, but nevertheless is known as the Dersingham moth. The dry heath around the valley has nesting nightjars.

Snettisham Beach is an internationally important bird reserve, overlooking the fertile mud of the Wash and providing winter grazing for many thousands of wild geese and waders. The shingle banks of the sea walls provide a home to a number of coastal plants, whilst the grazing marshes, grassland and pools behind have a further varied flora.

Thornham Saltmarshes and Holme Beach. The saltmarshes at Thornham – like others along Norfolk's coast – are important grazing and roosting areas for wild geese and waders, as well being botanically important. There is a complex of sand, mud, gravel and shingle, with lagoons, dunes, reedbeds and grazing marshes. The slightly calcareous dunes have some well-developed drift line communities, while marram dominates in the higher areas. Where shingle underlies the edge of the saltmarsh, some of Britain's best remaining shrubby seablite colonies flourish; where the shingle occurs on the margin between saltmarsh and dunes, the rare matted rock sea-lavender flourishes.

In 1955 the Norfolk Wildlife Trust acquired part of the Holme Dunes, and it now runs this as a reserve with some very good orchid colonies – though the flowering season is variable, quite short, and may not coincide with our visits. Near the reserve visitor's centre, dunes with introduced pines provide some shelter but are under continuous attack by the sea. Much of the rest of the area, outside the reserve, is under national protection. The nearby Broad Water lake is a NOA reserve (not open to the public, but easy to see with binoculars). Summer residents we are likely to see in the Thornham area include the conspicuous shelduck and oystercatchers, as well as redshank. Along the beach, after suitable tide conditions, can be found small pieces of amber – the solidified remains of ancient resin.

The Walks

NW. NORFOLK
WOLFERTON and SNETTISHAM

Meet, ready for a 09.30 start, at the car parking area situated on the road between the A149 and Wolferton village (OS map ref TF662 284). An easy walk of around 2km (1.3mi) takes us through woodland to an escarpment that marks an ancient coastline of the Wash, then down through dry heath to a boardwalk which leads out across the boggy areas.

Finishing at around lunch-time, we meet up again at the RSPB's car park (OS map ref TF651 329) for the path to their bird-viewing hides at Snettisham Beach Reserve (see map). Time for our picnic lunch before regrouping to head out to the shingle bank and the reserve's lakes and hides. An easy walk of around 6km (3.8mi). As well as the exciting coastal and marsh flora, we may see avocets, knot and bar-tailed godwits – so binoculars can be useful. Finishing around 17.00.

Stachys palustris - marsh woundwort

Botanical highlights may include: Atriplex laciniata, Atriplex littoralis (frosted and grass-leaved orache), Atriplex portulacoides (sea purslane), Atriplex prostrata (spear-leaved orache), Calystegia soldanella (sea bindweed), Drosera intermedia, Drosera rotundifolia (long-leaved and round-leaved sundew), Eryngium maritimum (sea holly), Euphorbia paralias (sea spurge), Filago minima (small cudweed), Glaucium flavum (yellow horned-poppy), Hippophaë rhamnoides (sea buckthorn), Honkenya peploides (sea sandwort), Lathyrus nissolia (grass vetchling), Narthecium ossifragum (bog asphodel), Oenanthe lachenalii, Silene uniflora (sea campion), Smyrnium olusatrum (alexanders), Suaeda maritima, Suaeda vera (annual and shrubby seablite), Vaccinium oxycoccos (cranberry) and Verbascum pulverulentum (hoary mullein).

NW. NORFOLK
THORNHAM

RDB sea lavender - Limonium bellidifolium

Meet, ready for a 09.30 start, at the far-end of the car-parking areas for Thornham Beach (see map). (OS map ref TF727 442)

Our walk starts out along the banks past large areas of open saltmarsh and then on into an area of established dunes, where we may see pyramidal orchids. Interesting birds, such as avocets, may be visible at the Broad Water lake. Having spent the morning botanizing and enjoying the beautiful scenery, we will stop for a picnic, perhaps on the beach.

Limonium bellidifolium at Holme

A brief stop at the NWT visitor’s centre may give us the chance to purchase an ice-cream or a hot drink, plus a look at their information boards and bookshop. Depending on local information re flowering, we will go into the Holme Dunes Reserve hoping to see orchids (Dactylorhiza coccinea, D. praetermissa, Epipactis palustris) – entrance fee payable. Otherwise, we will continue our walk on the high dune boardwalk with seaviews. We will return along the beach, where we may be lucky enough to find pieces of amber. A total distance of around 8km (5mi). Finishing around 16.30.

Dactylorhiza_praetermissa

Botanical highlights may include: Artemisia maritima (sea wormwood), Aster tripolium (sea aster), Atriplex laciniata, Atriplex littoralis (frosted and grass-leaved orache), Atriplex portulacoides (sea purslane), Atriplex prostrata (spear-leaved orache), Calystegia soldanella (sea bindweed), Cochlearia anglica, Cochlearia danica, Cochlearia officinalis (English, early and common scurvy-grass),Eryngium maritimum (sea holly), Euphorbia paralias (sea spurge), Limonium bellidifolium, Limonium binervosum subsp. anglicum, Limonium vulgare (matted, rock and common sea-lavender), Plantago maritima (sea plantain), Salicornia dolichostachya, Salicornia europaea, Salicornia pusilla, Salicornia ramosissima (long-spiked, common, one-flowered and purple glasswort – samphires), Sarcocornia perennis (perennial glasswort), Spergularia media, Spergularia salina (greater and lesser sea-spurrey), Suaeda maritima, Suaeda vera (annual and shrubby seablite) and Triglochin maritima (sea arrow-grass).

Norfolk Broads Botanical Walks

Despite having low rainfall, Norfolk has some of England's best wetland habitats, including the floodplain wetlands of the Broads. The broads were created by the wholesale excavation between 950 and 1350 AD of the fenland peat beds for fuel. Inevitably the deeper diggings were flooded by rivers during flood tides, and the open water and large number of small landowners made serious reclamation impossible until the introduction of windpumps in the 18th century. A lot of wetlands were lost, right through until the 1980s, when grants for drainage ceased.

Sedge- and reed-cutting for thatch continues to the present day, but eutrophication - increasing nutrient levels from agricultural fertiliser run-off - is a major problem. The nutrients promote much faster algal growth, shading out and killing plants, and producing greatly increased mud depths on the bed of the broads. The lakes are dependent on Daphnia - minute crustaceans (water-fleas) - to control the algae, however the Daphnia are dependent on plants for shelter from the small fish that eat them. As the plants decreased, so did the Daphnia, allowing further accelerated algal growth. Biomanipulation techniques used here involve the transfer of fish to other areas and the removal of nutrient-rich mud, to promote the restoration of Daphnia populations and the water clarity. OS Explorer map OL40.

Barton Broad, northeast of Wroxham, is part of the Ant Broads and Marshes National Nature Reserve (NNR), and under Norfolk Wildlife Trust (NWT) management. The broad drains into the River Ant, and saw a significant deterioration in water quality from the 1970s, with a consequent loss of plant species. Since 1995, a National Lottery grant has been used to fund pioneering biomanipulation techniques to create clear water conditions.

An easy walk takes us across fields and along a short stretch of road to the boardwalk which leads through rich fen woodland to a view out over Barton Broad. About 3km (2mi).

Calystegia sepium subsp roseata

After picnic lunch, probably at Ranworth, we drive to Cockshoot Broad.

Lathyrus palustris - marsh pea

Cockshoot Broad, southeast of Wroxham, is part of the Bure Marshes NNR under NWT management.

A boardwalk leads alongside the River Bure, then through the botanically-rich alder carr, past a biologically restored waterway, to a hide overlooking the open water of Cockshoot Broad. The return is via some reed-sedge marsh, and then back along the bank of the Bure. About 2.3km (1.5mi). Finishing around 17.00.

Botanical Highlights: Rare plants of the broads include Cicuta virosa (cowbane), Dryopteris cristata (crested buckler fern), Peucedanum palustre (milk parsley) and Sium latifolium (greater water-parsnip). Other plants of interest from the broads include: Alisma lanceolatum, A. plantago-aquatica (narrow-leaved and common water-plantain), Angelica sylvestris (angelica), Berula erecta (lesser water-parsnip), Cirsium palustre (marsh thistle), Cladium mariscus (sedge), Frangula alnus (alder buckthorn), Hydrocharis morsus-ranae (frog-bit), Hydrocotyle vulgaris (marsh pennywort), Impatiens capensis (orange balsam), Iris pseudacorus (yellow flag), Lathyrus palustris (marsh pea), Nuphar lutea (yellow waterlily), Nymphaea alba (white waterlily), Osmunda regalis (royal fern), Potentilla palustris (marsh cinquefoil), Ranunculus flammula, R. lingua (lesser and greater spearwort), Sagittaria sagittifolia (arrowhead), Schoenoplectus lacustris (grey club-rush), Scutellaria galericulata (skullcap), Sium latifolium (greater water-parsnip); Sonchus palustris (marsh sowthistle), Sparganium emersum, S. erectum (unbranched and branched bur-reed), Stachys palustris (marsh woundwort), Urtica dioica subsp. galeopsifolia (stingless nettle) and Valeriana officinalis (valerian).

The Fauna. The endemic British race of the swallowtail butterfly has the rare milk-parsley as its larval foodplant, thereby restricting its distribution to the East Anglian fens - we hope to see some caterpillars during our visit. Rare bird species are to be found in the broads including bitterns, cranes and bearded tits, but we are more likely to see marsh harriers, great crested grebe and sedge warblers.

Nuphar lutea - yellow waterlily

The Walks

NORFOLK BROADS

Meet, ready for a 09.30 start at the RA & Boardwalk Broad car park, situated on the road between Neatishead and Irstead villages (OS map ref TG351 208). Neatishead and Barton Broad are northeast of Wroxham, at the centre of the triangle of roads formed by the A149, the A1151 and the A1062. Toilet facilities available.

Returning to the car park, we will meet up again at Ranworth for our picnic lunch.

Our third and final meeting is at the car park for Cockshoot Broad (OS map ref TG343 163).

Since these are areas with a lot of fresh water, we would suggest you bring some mosquito repellant with you. At this time of year, if the air is humid, flies may also be present in places on both days. You may want to bring binoculars, as there can be interesting birdlife, plus the occasional waterplant that is otherwise inaccessible.

Winterton Walk

Winterton-on-sea is a small village, on the east coast some 8 miles north of Great Yarmouth. Winterton Dunes NNR is managed by English Nature. Unlike much of coastal Norfolk, these eastern dunes are of acid rather than calcareous sand and the ecology is more akin to that of the Baltic shores. Because of habitat destruction elsewhere, the 108 hectare site is now regarded as internationally important. The dune hollows, or slacks, have damp areas and an interesting flora, plus breeding colonies of natterjack toads; the drier ridges have a mixture of Festuca ovina, Carex arenaria, mosses and Cladonia lichens. Natterjacks are a highly protected species and should not be handled. Little terns breed on the foreshore and you should not walk into areas that are signed or roped off.

Winterton

Meet ready for a 9.30am start, at the beach car park in Winterton-on-Sea.

If you come in on the B1152/B1159, follow the signs to the beach from the large church at the entrance to Winterton. The car park (£1 in 2004) is between the dunes and the sea. There are toilet facilities near the car park. OS Map Ref TG499 197.

Initially we will look at the area immediately south of the car park, then head northwards into the main reserve area. Picnic lunch probably overlooking the beach. Followed by a circular walk inland past a hidden, ruined church. About 9km (5.5miles)

Finishing around 4.00pm.

Prices - see also Walks Fee Payments

Additional cost for Thornham. If we visit the Holme Dunes reserve, there is an entrance fee (£3) payable on the day. Entrance is free if you are a member of the NWT, but not to members of other county trusts.

Additional cost for Winterton. Car park charge.

How to Book

FIRST CONTACT US with any queries and, most important, to check dates and availability.

Reservations. Place(s) will be held for you for 14 days, from your telephone call/email to us asking for a reservation. We will send you a booking application form, for signing, completing fully and returning with payment within the 14 days. You can of course, call again and re-reserve - as long as places remain available. This system makes any unused places available to other people as soon as possible. We will not send you a reminder if your reservation lapses.

Payments. Please send payment by cheque made payable to 'Marengo' (please do not staple cheques). Alternatively, you can pay direct to our bank account. We cannot accept credit cards for the payment of walks' fees. Please do not send your credit card details to us! On receipt of your walks' fee payment and fully completed booking application form, we will send you a receipt, confirming your booking.

Travel and Accommodation. Once we have advised you that we have walks places reserved for you, make your own independent travel and accommodation arrangements for dates to include the duration of the walks.

PLEASE BOOK EARLY.

Anyone resident outside the UK is welcome to join our walks - please email us here for price and payment details.

Essential Information

Group size. Maximum 12 persons + leader(s), so that everyone can have some individual attention if required. Ideal for complete beginners as well as for the more experienced.

Walking. The terrain is mostly very straightforward, walking on paths, dirt tracks, boardwalks, or beach sand. Maximum altitude reached above sea level is 30m. There may be the occasional muddy areas, particularly in the Thornham saltmarshes, but in general the paths are comparatively dry underfoot. It is not possible to bring dogs on the walks.

At Snettisham and Thornham beaches, some areas of the sands or foreshore are signed or roped off to indicate where there are nesting birds such as terns and ringed plovers. You should not walk into these areas.

Transport. You will need your car for transport.

Meals. Please bring a picnic lunch each day.

Accommodation

For the Northwest Norfolk walks, we would recommend staying in Hunstanton or nearby. Accommodation details are available from the tourist office at Hunstanton tel. 01485 532610 or Email.

For the Broads (60 miles, approximately 2hrs drive from Hunstanton), accommodation details can be found at Visit Norwich tel. 01603 727927.

See the report on our 2004 Norfolk walks (separate page).

Lance Chilton and Marengo 2010,
17 Bernard Crescent, HUNSTANTON PE36 6ER, England
e-mail us: here