Carlton & Oulton Marshes — Attraction in East Suffolk

Such a wonderful place and only enhanced by the renovation. The new centre has spectacular views from the terrace we've never had before, plus the option to sit and have a cup of tea overlooking the Marshes is just bliss. We love this place, and I'm so glad more people can access it now and love it, with more wheelchair accessible paths, toilets and rest points. Thank you to all the fundraisers, the work has shown!

There are regularly updated signs that record the birds that are arriving and departing and have been seen, maps and habitat descriptions, I've added photos as it can be helpful to plan a walk using this information. The staff are knowledgeable and always happy to help you or advise you.

It's always a pleasure visiting this reserve, the varied habitats, the multiple different routes, the rare wildlife, no visit is the same. I've been fortunate enough to see Lapwings, Blackcaps, Avocets, Egrets, a Barn Owl, Fieldfare, Chiffchaff, Canada Geese and goslings, Herons, Linnets and so on, including the classic garden birds. Chinese Water Deer and Norfolk Hawkers aren't unusual here, as well as Fen Raft spiders! Every time I see something new, big or small, you just have to keep listening and looking everywhere you go!

The cafe and seating areas are wide spread making the covid environment safe, as well as the well-stocked cafe operating from a hatch and sanitising points dotted around. The wooden play park brings lots of joy to the little ones and is made from natural materials while others can sit on the picnic benches nearby. Dogs are allowed but only on leads and only on certain paths due to nesting birds.

Accessible toilet and Changing Place is very good, equipped with a hoist, a shower, shower stool, wet room, changing place, a sink that is adjustable with considerate features such as large handled taps and privacy screen inside the room as well. Only issues are the door is very heavy, so if you're alone in a chair it's a bit tricky. Also, the bin is a pedal bin which can be difficult to use for some. Aside from these points, it's the most impressive, equipped accessible toilet I've seen.

Thank you for your dedication to this reserve, it really shows and makes it an even more enjoyable place to visit, for us and for...

This. Place. Is. Amazing.

Ive lived in lowestoft my whole life (30 years so far) and i cannot believe this place was on my doorstep. Ive heard about it but just never thought to go. Me, my partner and son were there for about 3 hours today and we barely scratched the surface of this place. It is so beautiful and well kept. I found plenty of painted rocks which are always a joy for my son to find (we will bring our own next time ). I cannot wait to visist again to venture further into the marshes.

Only negatives i had from my experience today were not to do with the place at all, just dissrespectfull people who do not treat the place so kindly. 1. Just out of reach in some reeds there was a mcdonalds share box of nuggets discarded which we would have binned if we could reach it 2. There were 2 shirtless yobs who had used an area of the park to smoke weed and play loud risiculous music through a tinny mobile speaker and really ruined the image of the place. After we spotted them they followed us and it felt intimidating, swearing amongst themselvea and such and they then proceeded to get in their car, blaring music before speeding off. This has not put me off the place as people like that cannot be helped and nor should it put anybody else off.

My son loved every second, and he was more for the insects and all other creepy crawlies which in this beautiful setting seem far less creepy. We were both really gutted not to spot a fen raft spider or a snake but that is our aim when we visit in the future. He did spot a very tiny lizard which he was super happy about.

If you havent visited yet, do it now. I can imagine this place will always feel differant evey visit and in different weathers.

I will be making more donations to this place because it is...

I know it's flat and boggy round these parts, but a visit into this area around sun rise is a fabulous experience if the weather is particularly pleasant. On a still morning, all that can be heard is the wildlife and sometimes the muffled clap of a bird scarer in the distance. Heading North on foot, you will shortly encounter the Broads water which seems to attract vessels of all sizes all year round. And all this is only a fifteen minute walk from Oulton Broad and the Lowestoft area. My only criticism as a born again cyclist is that I've noticed there is absolutely no facilities to enjoy any of this on a bicycle anywhere along the Broads. It is possible to walk from here to Beccles along the water edge but the path is rarely used and in some places during summer, almost impassable on foot due to overgrowth. A dedicated cycle path would mean cyclists could enjoy a pleasant ride along this route and more people may be inclined to delve deeper into this wonderful natural landscape. In fact, there should be cycle paths alongside nearly all...