Dunwich Heath and Beach, gorse walk, Suffolk
From July to September, Dunwich Heath is alive with colour. This walk will take you around the perimeter of Dunwich Heath, all on National Trust land.
Dunwich Heath wildlife
Dunwich Heath offers you peace and quiet and a true sense of being at one with nature. It’s a rare and precious habitat, home to special species such as Dartford warbler, nightjar, woodlark and ant-lion. Absolutely suitable for families.
Map
Start:
Dunwich Heath information hut, grid ref: TM476685
1
From the information hut, facing the front of the Coastguard's Cottages and tea-room, walk round the right hand side of the building and locate the marker post with yellow banding.
Coastguard's Cottages
The Cottages are home to a small but enjoyable tea-room and gift shop, with a viewing room at the top of the building.
2
Walk on past the Sea Watch Hut on the right.
Sea Watch Hut
Located just after the start of this walk, stay a while at the Sea Watch lookout hut and you may be lucky enough to spot porpoises, seals and birds.
3
In 100 yards (91 metres) or so there's a natural branch in the path, bear right at this point.
Gorse
Look out for some fantastic views of the gorse on this walk.
4
Continue on the path until reaching the National Trust access road. Cross the road, go straight ahead for a few yards and then bear left, and shortly afterwards bear right.
5
Take the next turn to the right and continue until you reach a marker post for the Sheepfold.
Sheepfold
This area, being bounded by banks and ditches, was thought to have been a medieval sheepfold. However, a recent historic landscape survey has concluded this is a later feature and, therefore, was not used to enclose sheep. Look out for Dartford warblers as they fly low across the heath.
6
At the next junction, keep to the left and head around the enclosure.
Enclosure
The enclosure is a fine piece of open acid grassland with scattered hawthorns. It's a great place for spotting birds and insects.
7
Bear left around the enclosure.
8
At the next junction keep to the left.
9
After a few yards you'll reach a public footpath/bridleway with several possible directions. Ignore the public footpath sign to your left and turn right, following the yellow and purple marker post.
10
Now keep to the left for 200 to 300 yards (180 to 270 metres), along what is known as the North Boundary Walk.
11
At the end of the North Boundary Walk (with a five-bar gate and stile ahead of you onto public land), turn left and follow the path for 600 yards (550 metres).
12
With Bunker Hill on your left, turn right at the marker post with yellow and green bands, then immediately left. After 200 yards (180 metres) the path turns left, and in 150 yards (140 metres) you'll reach Nightjar Corner.
On the way to Docwra's ditch
There are some fine views on the Gorse walk, and this is one of them. Just be careful not to slip down the slope!
13
Nightjar Corner is a lovely secluded spot to look out for dragonflies, damselflies and lizards as well as the elusive adder and grass-snake. Continue to follow the path.
14
Here, you reach the start of Docwra's Ditch. A little further on is what is known as the Bund, on the right hand side.
The bund
The bank or 'bund' (just after point 14 on the map) was constructed in 1999 to protect the freshwater habitats of the RSPB Minsmere reserve (adjoining the Heath) in the event of an inundation by the sea. Look out for a sand quarry, purpose-built for a variety of solitary wasps and bees. These insects, nationally scarce, dig individual nests for their young in the soft, hot sandy banks and ground. The bees provision the larvae with 'pollen' balls and the wasps with paralysed invertebrates such as spiders, weevils, caterpillars and even honey bees. Read the sign for more information.
15
Docwra's Ditch extends for approximately 220 yards (200 metres) between points 14 and 15.
Docwra's Ditch
Docwra's Ditch, named after the first National Trust warden for Dunwich Heath, was dug in 1970. The ditch follows the lines of the original freshwater channel and encourages a rich diversity of wildlife. Listen out for Cettis warbler and water rails, wherever a viewing point is located.
16
It's another 165 yards (150 metres) or so before reaching Centenary Pond, taking a sharp left turn and continuing straight up the hill towards the Coastguard Cottages, shop and tea-room. Take the opportunity to visit the lookout at the top of the Cottages whilst you're here.
Centenary Pond
This pond, which has a good stock of mainly smooth newts, was created for the study of water creatures in 1995 to mark the centenary of the founding of the National Trust. Pond-dipping has become a popular aspect of the broad educational programme, now well established at Dunwich Heath. The pond needs regular work to control an invasive weed called Crassula helmsii; affected areas (around the edge) are covered with butyl tarpaulin for a large part of the year.
End:
Dunwich Heath information hut, grid ref: TM476685
