シップメドーの湖・トップ5

The reservoir is on private land and there are notices warning there is no right of way or public access allowed.

Under no circumstances should you go swimming

The reservoir is just on the right as you enter Church Road from Sotterly. A great spring and summer spot for a rest and take in the plethora of wildlife that frequent the reservoir.

Great spot for watching the wildfowl when the water skiers aren't using the lakes

The lake here is private and used by the local waterski club. However, from the roadside, you can admire the flooded gravel pits and get a close-up view of the quarry conveyor belt. This conveyor runs under Bath Hills Road and Hall Road to the sand and gravel workings to the south. Thanks to its proximity to the road, you'll get an unusual opportunity to see this bit of logistical genius. Not to be mistaken for the bottom of a toboggan run.

Before Flixton quarry was put into use, an archeological survey discovered numerous evidence of Neolithic activity in the immediate area, including pits, ditches and ceramic artefacts. A mammoth tusk was also found here during excavations. Today, a large area of the pits is a thriving habitat for birds and wildlife. You’ll find an information board just above the quarry and keep an eye out for the birds that call this open water area home.

Castle Marshes is a large Broadland nature reserve and home to a huge variety of plant, bird and insect life. Summer brings butterflies and dragonflies, including rare types such as the Norfolk hawker dragonfly. Summer’s birds include several types of warbler as well as lapwings and redshanks. Overhead, birds of prey hover in search of snacks in the tall grasses. Winter transforms these marshes, cared for by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust. While the Angles Way footpath stays high enough to walk along, the marshes themselves are flooded to create an enormous expanse of water for the overwintering wildfowl. Teal, widgeon and gadwall are some of the winter faces you can see here.

When walking from Chedgrave along the River Chet to Hardley Flood, the walkway at this point has collapsed and is impassable. Unfortunately, there are no signs further along the path on either side to warn you of the obstruction. Clearly the upkeep of this section of footpath has been left for some time, which is a shame as the loop back around to Chedgrave around the reserve is beautiful.