Whitethroat
Your Time Out on Landguard Nature Reserve
A precious coastal reserve, bursting with discoveries
Explore Landguard Coastal Nature Reserve
At Landguard coastal nature reserve in Felixstowe it’s not just the sand, shingle, sea and fresh air of a wonderfully wild stretch of the east coast which is so appealing… There’s an amazing and massively varied collection of special sights on offer, just waiting to open your eyes to all sorts of activities and discoveries. Birdlife and bugs. Brilliant views of big ships. The haunting remains of military built-heritage lurking around the scrub and grassland. Colourful plants and flowers dotted along a globally rare stretch of coastal vegetated shingle…
Bring yourself.
Bring your binoculars.
Bring a sense of adventure and respect for nature.
And let Landguard coastal nature reserve turn a day in the great outdoors into something truly wonderful and new.
Share precious time out, in a precious place
When you spend time together making discoveries, memories make themselves. Landguard coastal nature reserve is both in Felixstowe and worlds apart. So why not lead a little expedition through the dune-like ‘Butts’ to find the perfect spot to stop and enjoy a while? What about encouraging your eco-explorers to pack their own plastic-free picnic? Be sure to pack the binoculars too. You can even download the Reserve’s fun activity sheets, to inspire young companions and get them watching out from nature from the get-go!
There are car parks located at either end of the nature reserve at Landguard Point. These are located at the end of View Point Road by Landguard Fort, and at Manor Terrace. Parking charges apply at both car parks.
A variety of paths lead into the nature reserve and down onto the beach in close proximity to the car parks. At the fort end of the reserve, this includes an accessible boardwalk path.
The reserve can be enjoyed from a fully accessible wide concrete path / cycle way which runs along the reserve, directly from Manor Terrace car park to, and beyond Landguard Fort within the reserve.
Dogs are not allowed on the beach at Landguard from April to the end of September.
As Landguard Nature Reserve covers a large area that is vital for wildlife and unique plants, there are restrictions to walking and exercising dogs on the Reserve. Please ensure that you adhere to guidelines shared on the information boards around the Reserve.
Public toilets are located at the Manor Terrace car park, and in the View Point Café visitor centre at the John Bradfield Viewing area / car park which is just a short walk from the car park at the end of View Point Road.
Refreshments including ice-creams and takeaway drinks are available from the View Point Café or the Beehive Café at Felixstowe Museum (adjacent to Landguard Fort) open (during museum hours) to non-museum visitors.
Sorry, flying a kite at Landguard is not permitted.
The Nature Reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and kite flying can disturb wildlife, especially birds. Coastal areas can have strong and unpredictable winds making kites difficult to control, so the restriction also supports public safety interests.
Sorry, fires including BBQs are not permitted on Landguard Nature Reserve. This includes on the beach and the grassland.
Please help to keep the site safe. The habitats found here are very dry by nature. Combined with prolonged periods of dry weather and coastal winds, this makes the site very vulnerable, and enhances the risk of wildfires.
You are welcome to enjoy your picnic at Landguard, but please ensure that you take all your litter home with you or use the bins provided near the car parks.
Why not bike to the Haven?
Follow National Cycle Network route 51 through the town of Felixstowe and on arrival at Landguard Nature Reserve, the route continues along an easy-going, wide concrete path all the way to Landguard Fort and the View Point by the Haven. Alternatively, pop your bike on the foot-ferry in Harwich and arrive directly at Landguard Point to resume your route 51 ride.
Accessible directly from Felixstowe’s Manor Terrace car park, the Reserve’s wide path is perfect for cycling outings for all ages and pedaling abilities. And what better incentive than a picnic by the estuary or coffee and cake at the View Point and stopping to watch wildlife on the way?
Bike Routes & RidesWalk this way…
There’s no better way to take in nature than on foot – and no better seaside place on Suffolk’s east coast to do that than Landguard Nature Reserve. With a network of built paths and boardwalks, getting around the Reserve on firm ground either on foot, by bike or using a mobility scooter is easy.
Paths less travelled lead across-grassland and up and along the dune-like butts – please enjoy mindfully with respect. The reserve is not a common or a park – it is a collection of precious natural habitats and home to wildlife.
There’s so much more to Landguard Nature Reserve than a walk in a not-park…
Walks & Trails Plants & Flowers Butterflies & Insects Wildlife to Spot
Understand the lumps & bumps of the landscape
You’ll see Landguard from a different perspective when you stand on the ‘dune’ ridge in today’s nature reserve and realise they’re not dunes at all – rather man-made as rifle butts within Landguard’s wartime training grounds. Concrete block defences, towers and ironwork remains of gun emplacements – here the natural world cloaks the past, yet holds the memories. And it shapes the landscape too…
Did you know that the rabbits at Landguard Nature Reserve are architects, eco-warriors and vital to the very nature of the place?
Landguard's History Rabbits! Walks & TrailsBring your binoculars !
Whitethroats might sound like scary pirates ready to raid Landguard’s defences, but when these little chaps land from distant shores it’s much more of a song and dance. Listen up or spot the little warblers flicking their tails and darting about to hold their cover!
Flocks of migratory birds, rare species like the ground nesting Ringed plover, or parties of Long- tailed tits – Landguard Nature Reserve across the seasons is home to them all. Take time out and enjoy.
Landguard Bird Observatory Birds to Spot
Little Owl
Long Tailed Tit
Pied Wagtail
Red Poll
Ringed Plover
Wheatear
Why enjoying Landguard mindfully really matters
Some rare vegetation on the unique shingle beach is not resistant to trampling * Ground-nesting birds lay their eggs and bring up their young on the shingle – it’s why there are cordons and dogs must be on leads * Heavily- trodden areas may soon become bare – lost vegetation will not always grow back * Built-heritage harbours important legacies and is fragile too
Share respect for nature and the past, and give it a future
Sandcastle Spectacular
Super-eco Sandcastles
Build away! Temporary sandcastles won't disturb wildlife habitats.
Wildlife Watching
Wildlife-watching Adventures
From seabirds to seals, spot the incredible wildlife at Landguard.
Fun times on the reserve …. easy activities to share
Ideal for young eco-explorers, but brilliant fun for for all the family to share – check out these activity ideas from beachcombing and birdwatching to getting creative with stones, sand and seaweed on the shoreline!
