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Dunwich Heath and Beach
A precious landscape on the Suffolk coast
Coastguard Cottages, Minsmere Road, Dunwich, Suffolk, IP17 3DJ
Important notice
Please note that parts of our car park are currently closed for improvement works. Christmas hours are from 26th Dec to 5th Jan, 10am to 3pm for the tearoom and visitor hut, and 9am to 4pm for the car park. After this we will return to winter hours.
Opening times for 22 December 2024
Asset Opening time Heath Dawn - Dusk Car Park 09:00 - 16:00 Visitor Information 10:00 - 15:00 Tea-room 10:00 - 15:00 Kiosk Closed MTWTFSS2526272829301234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303112345OpenPartially openClosedCars
Ticket type Gift aid Standard Parking fee £6.00 Motorcycles
Ticket type Gift aid Standard Parking fee £4.00 Motorhomes & Campervans
Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £15.00 Parking fee £15.00 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Bookshop
Small second-hand bookshop in the Coastguard Cottages
Kiosk
Ice-cream kiosk available during the summer.
Car park
From April 1st the car park is open 9am to 5pm and is locked outside of these times.
Tea-room
The Coastguard Cottages Tearoom serving drinks, snacks and light-bites.
Dogs allowed
Dogs welcome - must be kept on a short lead 1 March - 31 August. A dog friendly route is available.
Toilet
Toilets and baby changing facilities available by the car park.
Guided tour
Seasonal Ranger Walks. See Upcoming Events for more details and to book.
Blue Badge parking. Accessible toilet by tea-room. Trampers and chauffeur service bookable by phone. Braille map available. Assistance dogs welcome.
Accessible route and/or map
Waymarked accessible route. Speak to Visitor Welcome for more information.
Level access to food outlet
Small tearoom in Coastguard Cottage. Small door sill on the threshold.
Accessible toilet
RADAR accessible toilet available - own key essential.
Powered mobility vehicle available
Pre-bookable single person mobility vehicles available when Visitor Welcome is open. Please see opening times for further information on VW opening hours. Pre-bookable chauffeured vehicle service for either one wheelchair user and three passengers, or five passengers available. Please call 01728 648501 to book for both types of vehicle.
Braille (guide or menu)
Braille map available.
Seating available
Benches and accessible picnic benches (by Coastguard Cottages only) spread throughout the site
Designated parking
Blue badge parking available.
Steps/uneven terrain
Uneven slopes and tree roots. Sandy soils. This is an outdoor coastal site.
Induction loop
Available in Visitor Welcome and Tearoom
By road
signposted from A12. From Westleton/Dunwich road, turn right 1 mile before Dunwich village into Minsmere road, then 1 mile to Dunwich Heath.
On foot
Suffolk Coast and Heaths Path and Sandlings Walk
By train
Darsham 6 miles
Coastguard Cottages, Minsmere Road, Dunwich, Suffolk, IP17 3DJ
Planning your visit
Events coming up at Dunwich Heath and Beach
See what events may be happening during your visit or are upcoming at Dunwich Heath and Beach
Article
Family days out at Dunwich Heath
Come along to Dunwich Heath and Beach and get out and about in the great outdoors.
Article
Bringing your dog to Dunwich Heath
Dunwich Heath is a three pawprint rated place. The nature reserve is a wonderful place to explore with your dog. Here’s all you need to know about visiting with your four-legged friend.
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Highlights
Heath & grassland
Lowland heath and acid grassland, rich in wildlife and home to several rare bird species.
Tea-room & Kiosk
Coastguard Cottages Tea-room, serving hot and cold drinks, snacks and light meals. Kiosk serves ice cream in summer.
Visitor information hut
Visitor information hut with wildlife information, children's trails, history trails and maps.
Heath Barn
Barn with site history, children's activities, games, trails, wildlife information and a cabinet of curiosities.
Second-hand bookshop
Second-hand bookshop stocking books, CDs, DVDs and games.
Beach
Shingle beach with rare plant and wildlife species.
Holiday cottages
Characterful coastal cottages offering stays for two to four people including one accessible apartment.
Play Area
Wooden play area for children to run and let off steam.
Things to see and do
Article
Christmas at Dunwich Heath
Meet Father Christmas and enjoy some festive magic at Dunwich Heath.
Article
Family activities at Dunwich Heath
Head outdoors for some family fun at Dunwich Heath and Beach, with tracker packs, geo-caching, trails, den building, Heath Barn crafts and miles of walks.
Check out our events at Dunwich Heath and Beach
See what events may be happening during your visit or are upcoming at Dunwich Heath and Beach
Article
Things to see at Dunwich Heath
Discover the different areas to explore, and the variety of wildlife you can spot when you visit Dunwich Heath, with some rarer species highlighted...
Top trails
Trail
Dunwich Heath wartime trail
A trail taking you on an in-depth dive into the wartime history of Dunwich Heath, stopping at locations around the site that still show evidence of the military activity.
Trail
Dunwich Heath Woof Walk
Follow the Dunwich Heath Woof Walk if you would like to walk your dog off the lead without the worry of them running off into the undergrowth and disturbing the wildlife, and in doing so help us care for this beautiful landscape.
Trail
Dunwich Heath orange trail
Follow the orange trail if you want a bit of everything on your walk, from the swathes of heather making up the heath with the rare Dartford Warbler maybe making an appearance, to the statuesque woodland where you might spot a flash of red and black as a Greater Spotted Woodpecker wings by, and the open expanse of the grassland where Stone Curlews and Hares hide amongst the swaying fronds.
Trail
Dunwich Heath pink trail
Follow the pink trail to take in the best views of the heath, with the main body of the heather flowering between late July and September. Along the trail keep an eye out for our main bird species, the Dartford Warbler, or Red deer roaming the heath, and look to the skies for the musical Skylark singing overhead.
Trail
Dunwich Heath grey trail
Follow the grey trail for views of the heath, patches of woodland, and Docwra's Ditch. Perfect for birdwatchers who are looking for woodland birds or reed dwelling birds such as Woodlarks or Reed Buntings, or for those who are after a gentle stroll in a peaceful place, with the wind sighing through the trees and the birds singing.
Eating
Coastguard Cottages tea-room
The tea-room is open for hot and cold drinks, snacks and light meals. If you have an allergy and would like ingredient information, ask one of the staff, who’ll be happy to help. The second-hand bookshop is attached to the tearoom and open at the same time, offering books, DVD's, games and CD's with all donations going to help look after Dunwich Heath.
Places to stay
Bridge Farm Cottage
A peaceful retreat surrounded by grass meadows and pine forests, just a 10-minute walk from Dunwich Beach.
Woodlark
A white-washed apartment with views of Dunwich Heath and Beach from every window.
Stonechat
A bird watcher’s haven, this first floor apartment overlooks Dunwich Heath nature reserve.
Nightjar
Once home to the Coastguards, now a beachside apartment with accessible facilities.
Upcoming events
Event
Dunwich Heath history introductions
Delve into 300 years of fascinating history by joining one of our introductions...
Event
Walk with Us: Dunwich Heath
Rediscover nature and walk your way to better wellbeing on one of our volunteer-led group walks.
Event
Landscape Photography workshop
Explore Dunwich Heath through the lens of your camera and discover top tips from professional photographer Phil Morley on developing your landscape photography skills.
Event
Landscape & Close-up Photography Workshops (combined)
Explore Dunwich Heath through the lens of your camera and discover top tips from professional photographer Phil Morley on developing your landscape and close-up photography skills.
Event
Close-Up photography workshop
Explore Dunwich Heath through the lens of your camera and discover top tips from professional photographer Phil Morley on developing your close-up photography skills.
About Dunwich Heath and Beach
Tucked away on the Suffolk coast, Dunwich Heath offers you peace and quiet and a true sense of being at one with nature.
A rare and precious habitat, the Heath is home to special species such as the Dartford warbler, nightjar, woodlark, ant-lion, adders and much more.
Quiet and serene, wild and dramatic, this is an inspiring visit, whatever the time of year. From July to September, the Heath is alive with colour; a patchwork of pink and purple heather and coconut-scented yellow gorse is an unmissable experience.
Our work
Article
Our work to care for Dunwich Heath
Find out about the work we do to care for the landscape of Dunwich Heath, where the wide variety of habitats provides a home for many different species.
History
Article
The history of Dunwich Heath
Dunwich Heath has a surprisingly turbulent past, from smugglers' haven and coastguard station, to witness for the east coast war channel and training area for D-Day, there is so much more to the heath than meets the eye...
Support us
Article
Volunteering at Dunwich Heath
There are many different ways that volunteering with the National Trust at Dunwich Heath can benefit you. Find out more about the roles and get in touch.
Latest news
Press release
Dunwich heather back in bloom after remarkable recovery
Dunwich Heath's patchwork of pink and purple heather is showing signs of recovery.
News
Pillbox used in D-Day preparations is given new lease of life as a home for bats
A Second World War pillbox at Dunwich Heath, which was used in preparations for the D-Day landings, has been transformed into a home for roosting bats.
Article
Our response to Sizewell C
Learn about our involvement in the consultation process and why we think the plans threaten this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for visitors, wildlife and the environment.