Welcome
Minsmere is the beating heart of Suffolk’s wild coast. It’s the RSPB’s ‘ark’ on the Suffolk coast: where rare species have recovered, where common species thrive, and where people and wildlife come face-to-face in a wild environment. The reserve is located in the beautiful landscape of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with leisurely walks. The site offers fantastic birdwatching, with hides that bring you close to avocets, waders, and terns in spring and summer and hundreds of ducks in winter on the coastal lagoons known as the Scrape. The reedbeds at Island Mere host bittern and marsh harrier and elusive wildlife such as otters.
Level access
There is level access from the main entrance to:
Visitor Centre ReceptionVisitor Centre toiletsVisitor Centre CafeVisitor Centre ShopDiscovery Centre WildZoneHearing
Visual
General
Getting here
Travel by public transport
Accessible transport from Darsham or Saxmundham railway station or Leiston bus stop to the reserve can be booked a week in advance through Coastal Accessible Transport Services - C.A.T.S. Simply call 01728 635938 or visit their website https://communities.suffolkonboard.com to book your spot.
Travel by taxi
Please contact the visitor centre on 01728 648281 for further advice about visiting the reserve by public transport or private hire.
Parking
Please contact the visitor centre on 01728 648281 before your visit so that we know of any support you require to access the reserve. A mobility scooter and manual wheelchair are available to hire, booking is essential.
Arrival
Path to main entrance
Main entrance
The reception area is permanently staffed during opening hours by RSPB personnel who can provide assistance if necessary. There is a door bell to call for assistance if required.
Getting around inside
Ticket/ information desk
Visitor Centre Reception
Things to See and Do
Public toilet
Visitor Centre toilets
Shop
Visitor Centre Shop
Place to eat and drink
Visitor Centre Cafe
Getting around outside
Coast Trail
A boardwalk from North Wall to East Hide and an extension to East Hide was built in December 2022. This has made East Hide more accessible for wheel chair and mobility scooter users and families with push chairs.
Designated Walking Trail
Island Mere Trail
If wheelchair and mobility users want to visit Island Mere Hide, the best way to do this is to park their car in the accessible parking bays located opposite Scotts Hall (https://goo.gl/maps/Cf96B4En3hm58tLZ7). As the path is more even from here then following the Island Mere Trail from Bittern Hide.
North Hide
Bittern Hide
Wildlife Lookout
Island Mere
South Hide
Canopy Hide
East Hide
Public Viewpoint
Beach
We advise wheelchair and mobility scooter users not to access the beach as the sand and shingle make the route inaccessible. With the installation of the Access for All path from North Wall to East Hide, wheelchair and mobility scooters have access to East Hide without having to access the beach.
Picnic Area
Discovery Centre picnic area
We have a number of benches located along our trails and footpaths.
Discovery Centre WildZone
WildZone is a play area for children and where we often run events such as Bird-ringing demonstrations, specialist workshops and talks. There is an accessible toilet within the building when events are taking place.
Customer care support
We have two electric mobility scooters (tramper model) available to hire from the visitor centre. Seats are adjustable and able to recline, full instructions for use will be given by staff at the Visitor Centre. Both are Invacare models (Comet and Orion) and specifications are available from https://www.invacare.co.uk/. Booking in advance is advised on 01728 648281.
We have our own scooters available to hire but unfortunately we do not have the capacity for visitors to charge their own scooters.
Emergency evacuation procedures
Customer care support
A volunteer guide can be booked in advance to assist individuals or family groups with exploring Minsmere. Booking in advance is essential. There is a fee for this service and can be discussed with the staff over the phone, email or in person.