Dunwich Heath and Beach
SuffolkA precious landscape on the Suffolk coast
Coastguard Cottages, Minsmere Road, Dunwich, Suffolk, IP17 3DJ
Important notice
M T W T F S S Open
Closed
Opening times for 18 February 2026
Asset Opening time Heath Dawn - Dusk Car Park 09:00 - 17:00 Visitor Information 10:00 - 16:00 Tea-room 10:00 - 16:00 Kiosk Closed - Bookshop
Small second-hand bookshop in the Coastguard Cottages
- Car park
Car park is open 9am to 4pm and is locked outside of these times.
- Dogs allowed
Dogs welcome - must be kept on a short lead 1 March - 31 August. A dog friendly route is available.
- Guided tour
Seasonal Ranger Walks. See Upcoming Events for more details and to book.
- Kiosk
Ice-cream kiosk available during the summer.
- Tea-room
The Coastguard Cottages Tearoom serving drinks, snacks and light-bites.
- Toilet
Toilets and baby changing facilities available by the car park.
Blue Badge parking. Accessible toilet by tea-room. Trampers and chauffeur service bookable by phone. Braille map available. Assistance dogs welcome.
- Accessible route and/or map
Waymarked accessible route. Speak to Visitor Welcome for more information.
- Accessible toilet
RADAR accessible toilet available - own key essential.
- Braille (guide or menu)
Braille map available.
- Designated parking
Blue badge parking available.
- Induction loop
Available in Visitor Welcome and Tearoom
- Level access to food outlet
Small tearoom in Coastguard Cottage. Small door sill on the threshold.
- Powered mobility vehicle available
Pre-bookable single person mobility vehicles available when Visitor Welcome is open. Please see opening times for further information on VW opening hours. Pre-bookable chauffeured vehicle service for either one wheelchair user and three passengers, or five passengers available. Please call 01728 648501 to book for both types of vehicle.
- Seating available
Benches and accessible picnic benches (by Coastguard Cottages only) spread throughout the site
- Steps/uneven terrain
Uneven slopes and tree roots. Sandy soils. This is an outdoor coastal site.
- By road
- signposted from A12. From Westleton/Dunwich road, turn right 1 mile before Dunwich village into Minsmere road, then 1 mile to Dunwich Heath.
- On foot
- Suffolk Coast and Heaths Path and Sandlings Walk
- By train
- Darsham 6 miles
- Cycling
- on Suffolk coastal cycle route
Coastguard Cottages, Minsmere Road, Dunwich, Suffolk, IP17 3DJ
Planning your visit
Events at Dunwich Heath and Beach
See what events are coming up at Dunwich Heath and Beach
Bringing your dog to Dunwich Heath
Dunwich Heath is a three pawprint rated place. The nature reserve is a wonderful place to explore with your dog. Here’s all you need to know about visiting with your four-legged friend.
Accessibility at Dunwich Heath
Find out more about planning your visit to Dunwich Heath - including how to book a tramper, where to park and more about how we're making it as accessible as possible.
Dunwich Heath's walks and trail map
Use this map to explore the different walks and trails at Dunwich Heath.
Highlights
Heath & grassland
Lowland heath and acid grassland, rich in wildlife and home to several rare bird species.
Tea-room & Kiosk
Coastguard Cottages Tea-room, serving hot and cold drinks, snacks and light meals. Kiosk serves ice cream in summer.
Visitor information hut
Visitor information hut with wildlife information, children's trails, history trails and maps.
Heath Barn
Barn with site history, children's activities, games, trails, wildlife information and a cabinet of curiosities.
Second-hand bookshop
Second-hand bookshop stocking books, CDs, DVDs and games.
Beach
Shingle beach with rare plant and wildlife species.
Holiday cottages
Characterful coastal cottages offering stays for two to four people including one accessible apartment.
Play Area
Wooden play area for children to run and let off steam.
Things to see and do
Events at Dunwich Heath and Beach
From our annual dog show to guided nature walks, take a look at the events coming up at Dunwich Heath and Beach.
February half-term at Dunwich Heath and Beach
Head outdoors for some family fun at Dunwich Heath and Beach, with tracker packs, geo-caching, trails, den building, crafts and miles of walks.
Nature at Dunwich Heath
Find out what nature you can spot on a visit to Dunwich Heath and Beach.
Top trails
Dunwich Heath wartime trail
A trail taking you on an in-depth dive into the wartime history of Dunwich Heath, stopping at locations around the site that still show evidence of the military activity.
Dunwich Heath Woof Walk
Follow the Dunwich Heath Woof Walk if you would like to walk your dog off the lead without the worry of them running off into the undergrowth and disturbing the wildlife, and in doing so help us care for this beautiful landscape.
Dunwich Heath orange trail
Follow the orange trail if you want a bit of everything on your walk, from the swathes of heather making up the heath with the rare Dartford Warbler maybe making an appearance, to the statuesque woodland where you might spot a flash of red and black as a Greater Spotted Woodpecker wings by, and the open expanse of the grassland where Stone Curlews and Hares hide amongst the swaying fronds.
Dunwich Heath pink trail
Follow the pink trail to take in the best views of the heath, with the main body of the heather flowering between late July and September. Along the trail keep an eye out for our main bird species, the Dartford Warbler, or Red deer roaming the heath, and look to the skies for the musical Skylark singing overhead.
Dunwich Heath grey trail
Follow the grey trail for views of the heath, patches of woodland, and Docwra's Ditch. Perfect for birdwatchers who are looking for woodland birds or reed dwelling birds such as Woodlarks or Reed Buntings, or for those who are after a gentle stroll in a peaceful place, with the wind sighing through the trees and the birds singing.
Eating
Coastguard Cottages tea-room
The tea-room is open for hot and cold drinks, snacks and light meals. If you have an allergy and would like ingredient information, ask one of the staff, who’ll be happy to help. The second-hand bookshop is attached to the tearoom and open at the same time, offering books, DVD's, games and CD's with all donations going to help look after Dunwich Heath.
Places to stay
Bridge Farm Cottage
A peaceful retreat surrounded by grass meadows and pine forests, just a 10-minute walk from Dunwich Beach.
Woodlark
A white-washed apartment with views of Dunwich Heath and Beach from every window.
Stonechat
A bird watcher’s haven, this first floor apartment overlooks Dunwich Heath nature reserve.
Nightjar
Once home to the Coastguards, now a beachside apartment with accessible facilities.
Upcoming events
Make your own bird feeder at Dunwich Heath
Join us in Heath Barn for a spring craft workshop and learn how to make your very own natural bird feeder to take home.
Landscape photography workshop
Explore Dunwich Heath through the lens of your camera with top tips from professional photographer Phil Morley.
Landscape and close-up photography workshops (combined)
Explore Dunwich Heath through the lens of your camera with top tips from professional photographer Phil Morley.
Walk with Us: Dunwich Heath
Rediscover nature and walk your way to better wellbeing on one of our volunteer-led group walks.
Close-up photography workshop
Explore Dunwich Heath through the lens of your camera and discover top tips from professional photographer Phil Morley.
Little Ranger Walk: Searching for Spring
Discover more about the bugs, birds, trees and plants that live at Dunwich on this family-friendly walk, and help us search for signs of spring.
Walk with the Ranger
Join one of our rangers for a guided walk exploring the rich and varied wildlife at Dunwich Heath.
Night sky observing at Dunwich Heath
Wrap up warm and join us for an evening under the stars at Dunwich Heath.
About Dunwich Heath and Beach
Tucked away on the Suffolk coast, Dunwich Heath offers you peace and quiet and a true sense of being at one with nature.
A rare and precious habitat, the Heath is home to special species such as the Dartford warbler, nightjar, woodlark, ant-lion, adders and much more.
Quiet and serene, wild and dramatic, this is an inspiring visit, whatever the time of year. From July to September, the Heath is alive with colour; a patchwork of pink and purple heather and coconut-scented yellow gorse is an unmissable experience.
Our work
Our work to care for Dunwich Heath
Find out about the work we do to care for the landscape of Dunwich Heath, where the wide variety of habitats provides a home for many different species.
History
The history of Dunwich Heath
Dunwich Heath has a surprisingly turbulent past, from being a smugglers' haven and coastguard station, to a training area for D-Day.
Support us
Volunteering at Dunwich Heath
There are many different ways that volunteering with the National Trust at Dunwich Heath can benefit you. Find out more about the roles and get in touch.
Latest news
Heathland species increase as Dunwich heather continues recovery
Dunwich Heath's patchwork of pink and purple heather is showing signs of recovery.
Pillbox used in D-Day preparations is given new lease of life as a home for bats
A Second World War pillbox at Dunwich Heath, which was used in preparations for the D-Day landings, has been transformed into a home for roosting bats.
Sizewell C: Impact on Dunwich Heath
Get the latest news on the development of Sizewell C and our commitment to protecting nearby Dunwich Heath and Beach.
