Supporters raised hundreds of thousands of pounds to create a new refuge for rare and declining species. Suffolk Wildlife Trust confirmed it secured £775,000 to complete its purchase of Worlingham Marshes, which sits inside the Broads National Park. The trust hopes woodcock will return to the wet woodland, while otters and water voles will use the waterways for breeding. Christine Luxton, the trust’s chief executive, said the purchase expands protected space in the Lower Waveney Valley and thanked everyone who contributed to the appeal.
The trust acquired 381 acres of land with help from £2m in National Lottery Heritage Fund support and donations from businesses, charities and local residents. The land previously saw private grazing and wildfowling. It contains fen, scrub, dykes and foot drains, with the River Waveney forming its northern edge. The trust says these features allow it to expand rich habitats, build new wetland areas and restore the historic Broadland landscape.
Wildlife Already Returning to the Area
The trust began managing the site last year before completing the purchase. Since then, species such as kingfishers, merlin, short-eared owls, marsh harrier, otters, grass snakes, butterflies and dragonflies have already settled in the marshes. The acquisition moves the trust closer to creating a continuous wildlife corridor along the Waveney Valley by linking existing reserves at Castle Marshes, Carlton Marshes and Oulton Marshes.
Lewis Yates, the new warden, praised the strong local support for the project and said he looks forward to watching the reserve evolve over time.
Plans to Improve Access and Visitor Experience
The trust plans to add viewpoints and footpaths to help visitors explore the site. These upgrades aim to improve public access while protecting the marshes. Vehicle access remains unavailable, so visitors must park at Carlton Marshes or in Beccles before walking to the reserve.
