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NWT Martham Broad National Nature Reserve

Part of the Bure and Thurne Living Landscape, Martham Broad is a fantastic place to visit, with a wide variety of wildlife.

Description
Pricing
Opening Times
Description

The site actually comprises two shallow Broads bisected by the navigable River Thurne, as well as surrounding fen, reedbed and marsh. The reserve holds many species of breeding birds including bittern, bearded tit, common tern, Cetti’s warbler and marsh harrier.

Stately common crane use the reserve and can often be seen flying over. Good numbers of wintering ducks and geese frequent the Broad and surrounding fields. Hen harrier and merlin are also possible in the winter months, and barn owl are often seen.

The site is also excellent for swallowtails and many other invertebrates in summer, including Norfolk hawker.
Several bat species occur. Otters are present and Chinese water deer are relatively easily observed.

(Please do not park in Staithe Road which is used by large, wide farm vehicles and delivery lorries)

Chinese water deer
Martham Broad is a good place to spot Chinese water deer, particularly in the early morning or evening when they emerge from cover to graze in the surrounding fields. As its name
suggests this unusual deer is not a native UK species, having been introduced
from China in the nineteenth century. It favours wet, marshy habitat and is a strong swimmer when it needs to.

Access
The entrance to the nature reserve is via Somerton Staithe. Public footpaths (often muddy) skirt either side of the Broad; a circular walk is not possible.

Boats can only use a narrow marked channel through the northern Martham Broad from October to March (angling available 3 days a week – day or half day permits must be obtained by writing to Norfolk Wildlife Trust in advance) and are discouraged from using the Broad during the winter months because of the breeding season. The southern Martham Broad is closed to all craft at all times.

There is no access for canoeists to the northern or southern Martham Broad, but you can canoe along the River Thurne main channel to West Somerton boat dyke for close proximity to reed and sedge beds. Please note that there is no access upstream to West Somerton Staithe.

Seasonal highlights

Spring
Birds – Bittern, bearded tit, marsh harrier, barn owl, water rail, pochard, tufted duck
Mammals – Otter

Summer
Birds – Bittern, bearded tit, marsh harrier, barn owl, water rail, pochard, tufted duck, crane
Insects – Swallowtail
Mammals – Nathusius’ pipistrelle

Autumn
Birds – Shoveler, goldeneye, whooper swan, pink-footed goose, bittern, bearded tit, marsh harrier, barn owl, water rail, pochard, tufted duck
Mammals – Water vole

Winter
Birds – Shoveler, goldeneye, whooper swan, pink-footed goose, bittern, bearded tit, marsh harrier, barn owl, water rail, pochard,tufted duck
Mammals – Chinese water deer

Dog policy
No dog access. Public footpath alongside reserve.

Pricing

Free

Opening Times

Dawn till dusk, every day, all year round

NWT Martham Broad National Nature Reserve
The Staithe
West Somerton
Great Yarmouth
Norfolk
NR29 4AB