Covering 14 hectares and managed under Higher Level Stewardship, the reserve is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Ramsar Site and lies within the North Norfolk Coast Special Protection Area (SPA), and the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Situated just south of the River Hun, a footpath runs along the eastern boundary, and a member’s viewing hide is accessible from Broadwater Road.

Birds and other Wildlife:

Redwell Marsh tends to flood in winter and dry out in summer. When there are muddy margins on the scrapes these can attract Common, Green and Wood Sandpipers, Black-tailed Godwits, Common and Spotted Redshank, Greenshank and Snipe among others. In some years scarcer species such as Red-necked Phalarope, Temminck’s Stint and Pectoral Sandpiper have been recorded. Visiting wildfowl have included American Wigeon and Garganey. Barn Owl and Cetti’s Warbler can be seen throughout the year, Kingfisher and Water Vole can be present on the river.

Reserve History

NOA purchased the reserve in 1985 with a significant grant from the World Wildlife Fund, together with smaller donations. A sluice gate was installed in 1996, and further improvements in 1998 and 2004 increased the water levels and enhanced the site for wildlife. This was followed by the construction of a bird hide in March 2001. A bridge crosses the River Hun to the hide, and the boardwalk was renewed in 2014 thanks to a grant from the Goldcrest Charitable Trust, bringing it up to modern wheelchair standards.

Access Information

A members key is required to use Redwell Marsh Members’ Hide. This is accessed via a boardwalk suitable for wheelchairs, and the hide is adapted for wheelchair use. The hide gives excellent views over the whole reserve including the scrapes. Members may use the hide from dawn to dusk and more information on how to join can be found here.

The restricted byway across Redwell Marsh runs adjacent to the eastern boundary of the reserve, emerging at Broadwater Road to the north and Busseys Lane in Holme village to the south. The byway is often muddy, and walkers may sometimes have to cross flooded areas. Cattle are on the marsh between April and November and walkers may encounter grazing animals when crossing the reserve, so please take care.

Conservation Grazing Area:

Please help protect wildlife on Redwell Marsh when crossing the reserve on foot, by keeping dogs on leads, keeping to the path and closing gates. Thankyou.

Directions and facilities

The reserve is situated on north side of Holme-next-the-Sea village off (Broadwater Road). Visitors can use the public car park at the north end of Beach Road (near the Golf Course), where there are public toilets. In dry conditions parking is permitted in the paddock off Broadwater Road. Parking is also available for NOA members and visitors in the NOA car park at the eastern end of Broadwater Road.

Redwell Marsh Grid Reference: TF70143