Stour Estuary is made up of woodland, intertidal (mudflats and saltmarsh) and Grazing marsh and intertidal marshes. The estuary is a protected SSSI/ASSI, SPA and RAMSAR site. The wetland parts of the reserve hold the most important intertidal roosts on the Stour Estuary which between them have held up to 20,000 wintering waders and wildfowl on occasion. The woodland is most important for its ancient woodland flora (with a superb display of wood anemones and bluebells in the spring). We have a small car park on Wrabness Road, nature trails and viewing areas.
Really nice place, we enjoyed the great walk. A little bit of everything here. Water, trees, bushes, fields, countryside. It is ok for dogs. Nice views and very quiet although we were here on a walk in October, so maybe not the busiest time ever. Highly recommend and we will come back.
The RSPB Stour Estuary is an exceptionally scenic, unspoilt expanse of coastline heading towards the Essex side of the mouth of The Stour. The Estuary stretches from the eastern edge of Wrabness & runs past the Haltermann-Carless refinery & Parkeston Quay. The high ground above the shingle shore is densely populated with deciduous trees. Despite the presence of the Mayflower branchline running straight through the Nature Reserve woodland, it still feels tranquil & isolated. The woodland is full of flowers throughout Spring, but probably the best time to visit is in Autumn when the trees are shedding their leaves. There's 3 bird hides on-site for observing the vast variety of birds visiting the Stour Estuary, as well as the River's resident populations of Swans, Egrets, & other river birds (position of each hide separately marked on Google Maps). The panorama from the Essex riverbank across to Suffolk, on a clear day, gives a clear view of Harkstead Beach & Erwarton Ness, & the Suffolk side of The Stour.
Nature seekers can hide to watch nice range of birds. Lots of walking around if you have a dog remember to clean after!
A gorgeous day, a wonderful walk. Easy route through woodland if you follow circular walk. Parking for a few cars , take water with you.
Lovely, quiet, nature reserve, with less-trodden paths and plenty of hides for those with more patience than me! Hides may or may not include giant wasps/hornets.
Sadly I could only go as far as the carpark, as even though my wheelchair is small, I still am unable to access the trails. Why can't a radar key kissing gate be installed here instead. As previously commented, even dogs are better thought of than disabled nature lovers. What a wasted trip from Ipswich. Car park is very unmaintained, many deep potholes and the picnic area could also do with some attention.
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Hiking
LGBTQ+ friendly
Good for kids
Kid-friendly hikes
Dogs allowed
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Really nice place, we enjoyed the great walk. A little bit of everything here. Water, trees, bushes, fields, countryside. It is ok for dogs. Nice views and very quiet although we were here on a walk in October, so maybe not the busiest time ever. Highly recommend and we will come back.
The RSPB Stour Estuary is an exceptionally scenic, unspoilt expanse of coastline heading towards the Essex side of the mouth of The Stour. The Estuary stretches from the eastern edge of Wrabness & runs past the Haltermann-Carless refinery & Parkeston Quay. The high ground above the shingle shore is densely populated with deciduous trees. Despite the presence of the Mayflower branchline running straight through the Nature Reserve woodland, it still feels tranquil & isolated. The woodland is full of flowers throughout Spring, but probably the best time to visit is in Autumn when the trees are shedding their leaves. There's 3 bird hides on-site for observing the vast variety of birds visiting the Stour Estuary, as well as the River's resident populations of Swans, Egrets, & other river birds (position of each hide separately marked on Google Maps). The panorama from the Essex riverbank across to Suffolk, on a clear day, gives a clear view of Harkstead Beach & Erwarton Ness, & the Suffolk side of The Stour.
Nature seekers can hide to watch nice range of birds. Lots of walking around if you have a dog remember to clean after!
A gorgeous day, a wonderful walk. Easy route through woodland if you follow circular walk. Parking for a few cars , take water with you.
Lovely, quiet, nature reserve, with less-trodden paths and plenty of hides for those with more patience than me! Hides may or may not include giant wasps/hornets.
Sadly I could only go as far as the carpark, as even though my wheelchair is small, I still am unable to access the trails. Why can't a radar key kissing gate be installed here instead. As previously commented, even dogs are better thought of than disabled nature lovers. What a wasted trip from Ipswich. Car park is very unmaintained, many deep potholes and the picnic area could also do with some attention.
