Titchwell Marsh

Titchwell Marsh is a nature reserve on the north coast of Norfolk, owned by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. It stretches across 171 hectares between the villages of Titchwell and Thornham, eight kilometres east of Hunstanton. The land includes reed beds, saltmarshes, a freshwater lagoon and a sandy beach, with a small woodland near the car park. The reserve forms part of the North Norfolk Coast Site of Special Scientific Interest and the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is also protected under Natura 2000, a Special Protection Area and the Ramsar Convention. The reserve supports rare breeding birds such as pied avocets on the islands and western marsh harriers in the reeds. Eurasian bitterns and bearded reedlings nest there, encouraged by wetter reed beds and stocked with common rudd. Wetland birds like water rails, reed warblers and sedge warblers appear regularly, and little egrets are common. Migrating birds often pause at Titchwell, and large numbers of ducks and geese winter there. The reserve also shelters the endangered European water vole. Visitors find three bird hides, a seawatching platform and two nature trails. A visitor centre provides information and facilities. The freshwater lagoon is bordered by improved banks, and the brackish lagoon has been converted to tidal saltmarsh. Archaeological remains include Upper Paleolithic artefacts and military constructions from both world wars. A First World War military hospital’s brickwork survives, along with Second World War artillery targets and tank tracks. At low tide, the wreck of the SS Vina can be seen offshore.