The Orford Ness Nature Reserve

Keep Cottage our luxury holiday cottage is perfectly positioned just a five minute stroll to Orford Quay where you can visit the Orford Ness Nature Reserve, so remember to bring your binoculars and sturdy footwear as we have a number of special places to visit and great sights to see along the way.

If you are staying at the beginning of the month, why not take a trip to Havergate Island you will need to book ahead as there is  a maximum of 12 people per boat (two boats run) the trip is on the first Saturday of each month only. Bookings can be made via the RSPB Minsmere reserve visitor centre. Tel: 01728 648281. Cost to RSPB members £12 non-members £18. The boats leave at 10 am and are back around 2 pm.

The time in the boat is around 20 minutes, so wrap up well,  take your Thermos and camera to capture the moments – we will be delighted to post your shots on the keep cottage website.

This national nature reserve is of international importance. Known as the Ness, it is a vegetated shingle spit – and is the largest in Europe. The area is renowned as being a place for breeding and migrating birds, including; a range of wading birds the  sightings of Avocet and Marsh Harrier this makes the area popular with birdwatchers and nature lovers alike.

The site is also home to the brown hare, Chinese water deer and a huge range of insects.

There are a number of habitats on Orford Ness Nature Reserve, most shaped by man. Exceptionally, the coastal shingle is in places in its truly wild state, which is incredibly rare in England.

When you return from this trip, you will see on the Quay,  the Riverside Cafe who offer a warm reception,  where they serve great sandwiches, soups and cakes.