Church Lane, Martlesham, near Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 4PQ
Martlesham Wilds Nature Reserve
Mixed-habitat reserve
Source image
6.1
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Free
Cost
Big-sky
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.1On the Deben’s banks, a former organic farm is being reshaped into a 117-hectare reserve of grazing marsh, saltmarsh, mudflats, ponds, hedgerows and woodland.
Martlesham Wilds is a landscape in the making: follow public paths from estuary-edge saltmarsh and grazing marsh up through fields, hedges and woodland, while a former organic farm is gradually being transformed for nature. Its changing habitats and Deben views give the visit more to notice than a simple waterside stroll.
Big-sky · Peaceful · Wild
Find your way
Open mapChurch Lane, Martlesham, near Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 4PQ
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The experience
Come at low tide and follow the public footpaths through the changing mosaic of estuary, marsh, fields and woodland. Look across the Deben for feeding or resting waders and wildfowl, and notice how the former farmland is being managed and restored. Check for path diversions before setting out.
Things to do
Walk the public footpaths
Explore the reserve on its public footpaths, keeping to the routes and checking notices for any diversion. Paths and tracks can be wet and bumpy.
Watch the estuary marsh for birds
Look for curlew, shelduck, lapwing and redshank feeding on the marsh and saltings. The reserve recommends visiting at low tide.
Notice the reserve’s habitat mosaic
As you walk, look for the change from river and saltmarsh to grazing marsh, fields, hedgerows and woodland. The Trust describes the site as a former organic farm undergoing habitat restoration.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1–2 hours
Quick Escape: Deben-side wildlife walk
- 01
Start from the Church Lane car park, checking first for Sunday-morning church use and any current access notices.
- 02
Follow the public footpaths towards the estuary and saltmarsh, staying on the signed paths.
- 03
Pause to scan the marsh and saltings for waders and wildfowl, then return by the public footpath.
Half day · Half day
Make a Half Day of It: follow the changing habitats
- 01
Visit at low tide, as recommended by the reserve, and check the current tide and path-diversion notices.
- 02
Take a longer wander on the public footpaths, moving from the river and saltmarsh across grazing marsh and fields towards hedges and woodland.
- 03
Take time to watch for marsh birds and notice the reserve’s developing habitat-restoration landscape.
- 04
Bring your own food and drink; on-site café provision is not confirmed.
Verified history
Martlesham Wilds is being transformed from an organic farm into a nature reserve under Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s stewardship. The BBC reported in January 2025 that restoration work was under way, including managing grazing marsh with Herdwick sheep and Belted Galloway cattle to improve habitat for wading birds and wildfowl. The reserve lies across the River Deben from Sutton Hoo, an Anglo-Saxon royal burial site.
Hidden details
Watch for the habitats changing under restoration — This is an evolving landscape, not a finished restoration project: the Trust describes plans and work to restore ponds, create new ponds and wetland scrapes, and allow former farmland to develop into a more varied habitat mosaic.
When to go
October · November · December · January · February · At low tide, as recommended by the reserve; check tide times before visiting.
The Trust recommends low tide. Winter is a strong season for looking for overwintering waders and wildfowl on the Deben estuary and grazing marsh. Wildlife sightings vary.
Grazing-marsh paths can be wet after heavy rain. Tracks may be wet and bumpy. A section of the Coastal Path may flood at high tide due to a broken sluice; follow on-site notices for diversions.
The route
- surface
- Tracks can be wet and bumpy; grazing marsh can be wet after heavy rain.
- start point
- Public footpaths at Martlesham Wilds; the accepted map pin is the main-place pin, not an entrance pin.
- parking start
- Small car park off Church Lane, near St Mary’s Church. Alternative parking is listed at Martlesham Recreation Ground, The Street, IP12 4RG. Check current arrangements.
- River Deben and estuary-edge saltmarsh
- Grazing marsh and mudflats
- Fields, hedgerows and woodland
- Opportunities to look for waders and wildfowl
Worth pairing with
Sutton Hoo
The reserve’s official page places the Anglo-Saxon royal burial site of Sutton Hoo across the River Deben. Check Sutton Hoo’s own access, opening and visit details before planning a combined trip.
What to look for
Scan the marsh and saltings for curlew, shelduck, lapwing and redshank. Notice the transition from river and saltmarsh to grazing marsh, hedgerows, fields and woodland, and the restoration work on ponds and wetland scrapes.
The story
A former organic farm now being restored as a nature reserve; the wider landscape lies across the river from Sutton Hoo.
Best time to go
Winter for estuary waders and wildfowl; choose a low tide for the recommended visit. Spring and summer bring a changing mix of plants and wildlife.
The reserve recommends visiting at low tide. Winter is a particularly worthwhile time to look for waders and wildfowl on the estuary and marsh; check tide times and current path notices before setting out.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Photographers · Families
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
Open at all times, with free entry. Keep to public footpaths. A section of the Coastal Path may flood at high tide because of a broken sluice; follow on-site diversion notices. Grazing-marsh paths can be wet after heavy rain.
Parking
A small car park is off Church Lane, near St Mary’s Church. Parking is limited on the first and third Sunday mornings of the month, 10am–1pm, when the church uses it. Alternative parking is listed at Martlesham Recreation Ground, The Street, IP12 4RG. Check current arrangements before travelling.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Dogs
Dogs must be kept on a short lead.
Accessibility
Tracks can be wet and bumpy and are not currently suitable for wheelchairs or buggies. Alternative public transport is available on bus routes 63, 65, 66 and 73; check current services.
Check before visiting
Cost
Free
Water
River Deben, saltmarsh, mudflats, grazing marsh and ponds. Swimming and paddling permission is not stated; do not assume either is allowed.
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Martlesham Wilds Nature Reserve
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
Place photograph6.1Martlesham Heath Aviation Society
Martlesham Heath, Martlesham, Ipswich IP5 3UZ
2.6 km away
Place photograph6.3Suffolk Aviation Heritage Museum
Foxhall Road, Kesgrave, Ipswich IP10 0AH
4.7 km away
