Days Out For The FamilyCarlton Marshes
Lowestoft
Park in Lowestoft
The experience
About this day out
Carlton Marshes is a 1,000-acre (405 hectare) nature reserve in the Broads National Park at the southern tip of the Waveney Valley on the Suffolk-Norfolk border, with floodplain marsh and lowland fen supporting some of the largest populations of wading birds in the East of England. Wildlife includes marsh harrier, bittern, water vole, 28 species of dragonfly and the rare fen raft spider reintroduced in 2012. A contemporary visitor centre offers a cafe, shop, bird hides and a hireable Discovery Room with views over the marshes.
When to go
Opening calendar
Summer (April-October): 10.00am-4.30pm visitor centre, toilets and cafe open (hot food until 3.00pm); Winter (November-March): 10.00am-4.00pm; nature reserve and car park open dawn to dusk
Check the venue calendar ↗What it costs
Prices at a glance
- Admission
- Free (charges can apply for groups and schools; a £3 per person donation is recommended for all visitors)
Prices can change. Confirm ticket terms with the venue before booking.
Practical details
Facilities & accessibility
At a glance
- Accessibility
- Sprat's Water and Share Marsh trails are wheelchair-friendly and the visitor centre is fully accessible, with allocated parking and a disabled toilet; parts of the reserve are accessible by mobility scooter, and scooter hire is available
- Parking
- Car park open dawn to dusk, with disabled parking and an electric car charging point; bicycle parking available plus eBike charging
- Dogs
- Yes, dogs must be kept on a short lead at all times under a Public Space Protection Order
Getting there
Where you'll find it
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