Norfolk's top walks and the widllife spots to explore this spring
Few people know Norfolk’s wild spaces quite like Patrick Barkham. As president of the Norfolk Wildlife Trust and an award-winning nature writer, his connection to the county runs deep, from childhood explorations to a lifelong commitment to protecting its landscapes.
That lifelong bond shapes the places he returns to time and again. His choices reflect not only personal history, but a deep understanding of Norfolk’s evolving environments from the landscapes that first sparked his love of nature to those now facing increasing environmental pressures.
Warham Camp
An ancient landscape with a living heartbeat, Warham Camp offers more than just history. Its chalk grassland bursts into life in summer, when clouds of Chalkhill Blue butterflies drift across the slopes. In winter, the mood softens, quiet, misty, and ideal for spotting Barn Owls and Marsh Harriers gliding overhead.
Holme-next-the-Sea
The windswept dunes of Holme-next-the-Sea remain one of Barkham’s most treasured coastal habitats. Summer brings butterflies in abundance, while winter sees a shifting cast of birdlife carried in on North Sea winds. Nearby, Holkham’s sweeping dunes offer similarly rich wildlife encounters.
Barton Broad and Marshes
At Barton Broad and Marshes, Norfolk feels almost otherworldly. This wet woodland, dense, humid, and teeming with life evokes landscapes far beyond the UK. Follow the boardwalk through a chorus of birdsong and you’ll emerge at a vast, still lake that more than rewards the journey.
Mousehold Heath
Overlooking the historic city of Norwich, Mousehold Heath is a rare pocket of urban wildness. Once a site of rebellion, today it’s a textured, open landscape loved by walkers and cyclists, yet it still retains a sense of quiet mystery.
Foxley Wood
Step into Foxley Wood and you enter a landscape that has remained wooded for thousands of years. In spring, bluebells spill across the forest floor, while autumn brings a rich display of fungi. Look up for a glimpse of a Goshawk or listen for the song of Blackcaps drifting through the trees.