Bird PlacesMinsmere
Westleton, Suffolk · RSPB · 24.1 km away
wetland8 hideswheelchair accessible£10.00 adult
Suffolk Wildlife Trust reserve · Lowestoft, Suffolk
Carlton Marshes birdwatching guide
Carlton Marshes is Suffolk Wildlife Trust's flagship Broads reserve at the southern gateway to the national park: grazing marsh, fen and new scrapes beside the River Waveney. A modern accessible visitor centre and flat trails make it one of East Anglia's best family wetlands.
Key facts
- Habitat
- wetland
- Size
- 384 ha
- Entry fee (adult)
- Free
- Entry fee (child)
- Free
- Membership required
- No
- Hides
- 3
- Wheelchair access
- Yes
- Car park
- Yes
- Car park to hides
- 600m on surfaced, level paths
- Toilets
- Yes
- Dogs
- Allowed
- Status
- open
- Best seasons
- spring, winter
Species by season
| Season | Species | Likelihood | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| spring | Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) | frequent | On the new scrapes |
| spring | Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) | common | — |
| winter | Barn Owl (Tyto alba) | frequent | Hunts the grazing marsh at dusk |
Getting there
Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 8HU
View on OpenStreetMap · Official website
Facilities & opening
Reserve open at all times; visitor centre 9:30am–4pm
Frequently asked questions
Is Carlton Marshes free to visit?
Yes, entry is free with a pay-and-display car park; Suffolk Wildlife Trust members park free.
Nearby reserves (all organisations)
Explore more
Information last updated 8 June 2026.