“ The woodland is like a secret garden where you instinctively tip-toe
round corners and talk in hushed tones.”

This small wooded valley with its spring-fed stream used to be a source of water for Felixstowe. Together with its small area of marsh, fen and adjacent heathland this reserve is good for flowering plants and a variety of birds including nuthatch, treecreeper, goldcrest and all three kinds of woodpecker. Butterfly include the speckled wood and green hairstreak while the dancing lights of glow worm are sometimes spotted during balmy summer nights.

This site is an SSSI because of the sheer variety of habitats and associated wildlife. Evocative nightingale song characterises the reserve in spring when you can find water avens and spectacular displays of marsh marigold alongside the stream. Careful scrutiny will also reveal common twayblade and the more open areas are covered in common spotted orchid. The woodland is dominated by oak, ash, alder, hazel and hawthorn.

A marked trail takes you around the reserve and a leaflet is available from the visitor centre. Newbourne Springs is cared for by Suffolk Wildlife Trust on behalf of Anglian Water.

Other Trust reserves nearby: Nacton Meadow

Water avens

STAR SPECIES
Nightingale
Marsh marigold