Discover Newbourne Springs

For the perfect summertime nature reserve, look no further than Newbourne Springs. At just 21ha (51 acres), the site punches well above its weight for beauty and biodiversity, enveloping your senses from the moment you arrive.

The best way to experience Newbourne Springs is to visit early in the morning or later in the evening. As you arrive, even from the car park, the first thing you'll notice is the sound of birdsong filling the air, serenading in the day or sending it off to sleep. A visit in early summer will reward you with a tuneful melody filled with chiffchaffs and willow warblers, the scratchy song of the whitethroat, song thrushes, blackbirds and more. Take a moment to listen carefully. Both blackcaps and garden warblers might be heard, their songs almost indistinct but to the trained ear.

If you’re really lucky, you might notice a gentle purring, whirring sound; that’s the soothing song of the now rare turtle dove, cooing from the scrub. Many people visit Newbourne for the famous nightingale chorus. Around seven breeding males have territories here, and on a still morning their song is phenomenally loud.

For such a small reserve, Newbourne Springs hosts a mosaic of habitats that give it a really wild feel. A proper babbling brook cuts the reserve in half, rushing water down into the Deben estuary, and lots of underground springs push up to the surface here, making areas of soil wet all year-round. Follow the winding paths and wooden boardwalk across the fen and into the wet woodland. At this time of year, the margins will be in full bloom with ragged robin, yellow flag iris, cuckooflower, marsh marigold and water mint. You might spot dragonflies and damselflies perching on the vegetation or patrolling the area.

As you explore the path, you’ll head up through carpets of woodland bluebells and on to higher ground, with the wetlands transforming into dry heathland, where sheep's sorrel and gorse dominate. This area is covered with hawthorn scrub, perfect for many breeding birds. In May and early June, the pale blossoms will look beautiful and attract bees and a range of butterflies.

For its size, this small reserve will surpass all expectations for its beauty and biodiversity.

As you dip down the escarpment again, you’ll see a lot of standing deadwood. These trees are covered with woodpecker holes and many of the taller stumps are

DID YOU KNOW Newbourne

Springs is owned by Anglian Water. The pit in the nature reserve was once used to excavate coprolite for fertiliser. The previous water company used to abstract water from the stream; we now work with Anglian Water to help this rich wildlife site thrive.