Salthouse Marshes
Salthouse is a small coastal village on the north Norfolk coast that sits behind one of the most productive and atmospheric stretches of coastal grazing marsh, freshwater scrapes and shingle beach on the entire East Anglian coast. The marshes between Salthouse and Cley-next-the-Sea together form a continuously managed nature reserve of international importance for migrating and wintering birds, and the combination of habitats available within a short walk makes this section of the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty one of the most rewarding wildlife destinations in Britain. The landscape here is characterised by the dynamic relationship between land and sea. The shingle beach and bank that runs along the coast is a relatively recent formation in geological terms, built up by longshore drift and constantly reshaped by storms. Behind it lies a band of grazing marsh and reed-fringed pools that sit below the level of high tide, protected by the shingle ridge but subject to occasional winter flooding. The flat, open character of this landscape gives it an enormous feeling of sky and weather, particularly on grey winter days when the light off the water and the vast flocks of wildfowl create spectacles of genuine grandeur. The reserve at Cley Marshes, managed by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, is adjacent to Salthouse and the two areas can be explored together. The reserve's hides and viewing screens allow close observation of the birds using the scrapes and lagoons without disturbance, and the range of species seen here throughout the year is exceptional. In winter, flocks of brent geese graze the fields behind the beach while wigeons, teals and shovelers crowd the freshwater marshes. Spring and autumn bring migrating waders and passerines in numbers that make Salthouse and Cley among the most celebrated birdwatching locations in Britain. The shingle beach itself, though uncomfortable for bathing, provides nesting habitat for ringed plovers and little terns and has been the site of several remarkable rarities that have attracted twitchers from across the country over the years. The Salthouse Dunes, a recent addition to the coastal habitat mosaic, provide further terrestrial habitat for coastal species. The village pub and the several cafés in nearby Cley provide the practical amenities needed for a comfortable visit to this exceptional coastal wildlife location.