← Back🌲 Conifer forest

Blackwater Plantation

5 ha

📷 Zorba the Geek · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsSeasonal

Public accessFree entryDogs welcome5 ha

Getting here

52.82653, 1.09913

Open directionsv

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
🐕Early mornings are best for dog walks in summer — visit before 9am to avoid the heat and find quieter trails
📍Open access throughout summer — no booking required

🌤️ Visiting this summer

🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
🐕Early mornings are best for dog walks in summer — visit before 9am to avoid the heat and find quieter trails
📍Open access throughout summer — no booking required

Good to know

£Free to visit — no entry charge
🐕Dogs welcome

Best for

7 activities

Wildlife

Very strong match

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals

Free

Bird watching

Very strong match

Birds — Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird +53 more · last seen 2024; Birds — Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird +53 more · last seen 2024

Free

Seasonal nature

Strong match

Plants — Common Feather-moss, Bugle, Common Sorrel +352 more · last seen 2025; Plants — Common Feather-moss, Bugle, Common Sorrel +352 more · last seen 2025

Free

Dog walks

Strong match

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Foraging

Strong match

Plants — Common Sorrel, Sheep's Sorrel, Meadowsweet +45 more foraging species

Varies

Insect spotting

Strong match

Lowland fens — fen dragonflies and rare invertebrates; Insects — Speckled Wood, Green-veined White, Red Admiral +20 more · last seen 2024

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km

🚶

Walking

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby

Holt to Mannington WalkWalking route

Named routeLocal walking route

🚴

Cycling

7 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

Cromer Explorer LoopCycling route

Named routeLocal cycle route

EuroVelo 12 - North Sea Cycle Route - part United Kingdom 2Cycling route

Norwich - Lincoln

Named routeRef EV12International cycle route

NCN National Route 1Cycling route

Named routeRef 1National Cycle Network

Salle Cycle LoopCycling route11.3 km

Named routeLength 11.3 kmLocal cycle route

Wood Dalling Cycle LoopCycling route10 km

Named routeLength 10 kmLocal cycle route

Main RouteCycling route7 km

Named routeRef 1Length 7 kmNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt

🐴

Horse riding

3 public paths nearby

Public paths

Workhouse Lanebridleway · 91 m

Public pathbridlewayLength 91 mPath type: track

Wildlife to spot

3,970 records · National Biodiversity Network

Wildlife to spot

3,970 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds63 species

winterspring

2024

Blue Tit · Great Tit · Blackbird · Greenfinch · Goldfinch +58

Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
Great TitParus major
BlackbirdTurdus merula
GreenfinchChloris chloris
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
RobinErithacus rubecula
DunnockPrunella modularis
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
SiskinSpinus spinus
Coal TitPeriparus ater
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus
House SparrowPasser domesticus
StarlingSturnus vulgaris
Marsh TitPoecile palustris2018
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
Carrion CrowCorvus corone
MagpiePica pica
SwiftApus apus2022
JackdawColoeus monedula
Stock DoveColumba oenas
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus
KestrelFalco tinnunculus
Common GullLarus canus
BuzzardButeo buteo
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto
RookCorvus frugilegus
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea
Grey HeronArdea cinerea
PheasantPhasianus colchicus
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major2023
SwallowHirundo rustica2023
Barn OwlTyto alba2023
Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striata2016
JayGarrulus glandarius
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii
MallardAnas platyrhynchos
Herring GullLarus argentatus
FieldfareTurdus pilaris
Red KiteMilvus milvus2023
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinella2023
Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufa2023
GoldcrestRegulus regulus2023
WoodcockScolopax rusticola2020
House MartinDelichon urbicum2015
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula
Rock DoveColumba livia2023
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis2023
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus2023
SkylarkAlauda arvensis2023
LinnetLinaria cannabina2023
Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchus2023
RedwingTurdus iliacus2023
Golden PloverPluvialis apricaria2023
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla2022
LapwingVanellus vanellus2022
Green WoodpeckerPicus viridis2022
Tawny OwlStrix aluco2021
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus2019
OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus2019
TealAnas crecca2016
Lesser RedpollAcanthis flammea cabaret2016
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita2015

🦌

Mammals11 species

wintersummer

2024

Hedgehog · Mole · Muntjac · Grey Squirrel · Roe Deer +6

HedgehogErinaceus europaeus2021
MoleTalpa europaea
MuntjacMuntiacus reevesi
Grey SquirrelSciurus carolinensis
Roe DeerCapreolus capreolus
Water VoleArvicola amphibius2023
RabbitOryctolagus cuniculus2023
Wood MouseApodemus sylvaticus2021
Common PipistrellePipistrellus pipistrellus2021
Soprano PipistrellePipistrellus pygmaeus2021
PipistrellePipistrellus pipistrellus2017

🐸

Amphibians3 species

springsummer

2024

Smooth Newt · Common Frog · Palmate Newt

Smooth NewtLissotriton vulgaris2022
Common FrogRana temporaria
Palmate NewtLissotriton helveticus2020

🐝

Insects24 species

winterspringsummerautumn

2024

Speckled Wood · Green-veined White · Red Admiral · Orange-tip · Holly Blue +19

Speckled WoodPararge aegeria2018
Green-veined WhitePieris napi2018
Red AdmiralVanessa atalanta2017
Orange-tipAnthocharis cardamines2018
Holly BlueCelastrina argiolus2018
Small TortoiseshellAglais urticae2017
Meadow BrownManiola jurtina2017
Small WhitePieris rapae2017
Broad-bodied ChaserLibellula depressa
Liophloeus tessulatusLiophloeus tessulatus
Red-legged ShieldbugPentatoma rufipes2022
Limnephilus lunatusLimnephilus lunatus2021
MystacidesMystacides2021
Hawthorn ShieldbugAcanthosoma haemorrhoidale2020
Dark-edged Bee-flyBombylius major2020
Large WhitePieris brassicae2018
Painted LadyVanessa cardui2017
Small CopperLycaena phlaeas2017
PeacockAglais io2017
Common BluePolyommatus icarus2017
GatekeeperPyronia tithonus2017
Purple HairstreakFavonius quercus2017
Small SkipperThymelicus sylvestris2017
CommaPolygonia c-album2016

🌿

Plants96 species

springautumn

2025

Common Feather-moss · Rough-stalked Feather-moss · Silver-moss · Wall Screw-moss · Hypnum cupressiforme var. cupressiforme +91

Common Feather-mossKindbergia praelonga2018
Rough-stalked Feather-mossBrachythecium rutabulum2018
Silver-mossBryum argenteum2018
Wall Screw-mossTortula muralis2018
Hypnum cupressiforme var. cupressiformeHypnum cupressiforme var. cupressiforme2018
BugleAjuga reptans
Creeping ButtercupRanunculus repens
Meadow VetchlingLathyrus pratensis
MeadowsweetFilipendula ulmaria
Springy Turf-mossRhytidiadelphus squarrosus2018
Grey-cushioned GrimmiaGrimmia pulvinata2018
Neat Feather-mossPseudoscleropodium purum2018
Marsh ThistleCirsium palustre
CuckooflowerCardamine pratensis
Creeping ThistleCirsium arvense
Common Mouse-earCerastium fontanum
Meadow ButtercupRanunculus acris
Common KnapweedCentaurea nigra2023
Wood Bristle-mossLewinskya affinis2018
Pointed Spear-mossCalliergonella cuspidata2018
Anomalous Bristle-mossOrthotrichum anomalum2018
Hart's-tongue Thyme-mossPlagiomnium undulatum2018
Capillary Thread-mossBryum capillare2018
Bird's-claw Beard-mossBarbula unguiculata2016
Amphibious BistortPersicaria amphibia
Ribwort PlantainPlantago lanceolata
Common SorrelRumex acetosa
Sheep's SorrelRumex acetosella
Himalayan BalsamImpatiens glandulifera2023
Small-flowered CatchflySilene gallica2023
Common Spotted-orchidDactylorhiza fuchsii2023
Hoary PlantainPlantago media2023
Red CloverTrifolium pratense2023
Bulbous ButtercupRanunculus bulbosus2021
MousetailMyosurus minimus2021
Frizzled PincushionPlenogemma phyllantha2018
Common Cord-mossFunaria hygrometrica2018
Common PincushionDicranoweisia cirrata2018
Common SmoothcapAtrichum undulatum2018
Creeping Feather-mossAmblystegium serpens2018
Swan's-neck Thyme-mossMnium hornum2018
Hemisphaeric LiverwortReboulia hemisphaerica2017
Common Striated Feather-mossEurhynchium striatum2016
Silky Wall Feather-mossHomalothecium sericeum2016
White CloverTrifolium repens
Dog's MercuryMercurialis perennis2024
Musk ThistleCarduus nutans2023
Corn MintMentha arvensis2023
Rough HawkbitLeontodon hispidus2023
Common Bird's-foot-trefoilLotus corniculatus2023
Glaucous SedgeCarex flacca2021
TormentilPotentilla erecta2021
Marsh-bedstrawGalium palustre2021
SelfhealPrunella vulgaris2021
Lesser TrefoilTrifolium dubium2021
Marsh RagwortJacobaea aquatica2021
Early-purple OrchidOrchis mascula2021
Green-winged OrchidAnacamptis morio2021
Curled Dock / Broad-leaved DockRumex crispus/obtusifolius2021
Celery-leaved ButtercupRanunculus sceleratus2021
Brewer SprucePicea breweriana2019
TriticaleSecale x Triticum = X Triticosecale2019
Prickly PoppyRoemeria argemone2019
Soft-tufted Beard-mossDidymodon vinealis2018
River Feather-mossBrachythecium rivulare2018
Lyell's Bristle-mossPulvigera lyellii2018
Intermediate Screw-mossSyntrichia montana2018
Clustered Feather-mossRhynchostegium confertum2018
SphaerocarposSphaerocarpos2018
Great Scented LiverwortConocephalum conicum2018
Hornschuch's Beard-mossPseudocrossidium hornschuchianum2018
Awl-leaved Earth-mossPleuridium subulatum2018
Supine Plait-mossHypnum cupressiforme var. resupinatum2018
Dilated ScalewortFrullania dilatata2018
Crimson-tuber Thread-mossBryum rubens2018
Dune Thread-mossBryum dichotomum2018
Micheli's BalloonwortSphaerocarpos michelii2018
Blueish VeilwortMetzgeria violacea2018
Marchantia polymorpha subsp. ruderalisMarchantia polymorpha subsp. ruderalis2018
Common Bladder-mossPhyscomitrium pyriforme2018
Cape Thread-mossOrthodontium lineare2018
Heath Star MossCampylopus introflexus2018
RedshankCeratodon purpureus2018
Elegant Bristle-mossOrthotrichum pulchellum2018
Endive PelliaPellia endiviifolia2017
Long-beaked Water Feather-mossRhynchostegium riparioides2017
Conocephalum conicumConocephalum conicum2017
Whitish Feather-mossBrachythecium albicans2016
Hypnum cupressiformeHypnum cupressiforme2016
Thickpoint GrimmiaSchistidium crassipilum2016
Fox-tail Feather-mossThamnobryum alopecurum2016
Field Forklet-mossDicranella staphylina2016
White-tipped Bristle-mossOrthotrichum diaphanum2016
Common PottiaTortula truncata2016
Common Tamarisk-mossThuidium tamariscinum2016
Common CrystalwortRiccia sorocarpa2016

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

3,970 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds63 species

winterspring

2024

Blue Tit · Great Tit · Blackbird · Greenfinch · Goldfinch +58

Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
Great TitParus major
BlackbirdTurdus merula
GreenfinchChloris chloris
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
RobinErithacus rubecula
DunnockPrunella modularis
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
SiskinSpinus spinus
Coal TitPeriparus ater
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus
House SparrowPasser domesticus
StarlingSturnus vulgaris
Marsh TitPoecile palustris2018
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
Carrion CrowCorvus corone
MagpiePica pica
SwiftApus apus2022
JackdawColoeus monedula
Stock DoveColumba oenas
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus
KestrelFalco tinnunculus
Common GullLarus canus
BuzzardButeo buteo
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto
RookCorvus frugilegus
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea
Grey HeronArdea cinerea
PheasantPhasianus colchicus
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major2023
SwallowHirundo rustica2023
Barn OwlTyto alba2023
Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striata2016
JayGarrulus glandarius
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii
MallardAnas platyrhynchos
Herring GullLarus argentatus
FieldfareTurdus pilaris
Red KiteMilvus milvus2023
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinella2023
Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufa2023
GoldcrestRegulus regulus2023
WoodcockScolopax rusticola2020
House MartinDelichon urbicum2015
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula
Rock DoveColumba livia2023
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis2023
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus2023
SkylarkAlauda arvensis2023
LinnetLinaria cannabina2023
Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchus2023
RedwingTurdus iliacus2023
Golden PloverPluvialis apricaria2023
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla2022
LapwingVanellus vanellus2022
Green WoodpeckerPicus viridis2022
Tawny OwlStrix aluco2021
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus2019
OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus2019
TealAnas crecca2016
Lesser RedpollAcanthis flammea cabaret2016
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita2015

🦌

Mammals11 species

wintersummer

2024

Hedgehog · Mole · Muntjac · Grey Squirrel · Roe Deer +6

HedgehogErinaceus europaeus2021
MoleTalpa europaea
MuntjacMuntiacus reevesi
Grey SquirrelSciurus carolinensis
Roe DeerCapreolus capreolus
Water VoleArvicola amphibius2023
RabbitOryctolagus cuniculus2023
Wood MouseApodemus sylvaticus2021
Common PipistrellePipistrellus pipistrellus2021
Soprano PipistrellePipistrellus pygmaeus2021
PipistrellePipistrellus pipistrellus2017

🐸

Amphibians3 species

springsummer

2024

Smooth Newt · Common Frog · Palmate Newt

Smooth NewtLissotriton vulgaris2022
Common FrogRana temporaria
Palmate NewtLissotriton helveticus2020

🐝

Insects24 species

winterspringsummerautumn

2024

Speckled Wood · Green-veined White · Red Admiral · Orange-tip · Holly Blue +19

Speckled WoodPararge aegeria2018
Green-veined WhitePieris napi2018
Red AdmiralVanessa atalanta2017
Orange-tipAnthocharis cardamines2018
Holly BlueCelastrina argiolus2018
Small TortoiseshellAglais urticae2017
Meadow BrownManiola jurtina2017
Small WhitePieris rapae2017
Broad-bodied ChaserLibellula depressa
Liophloeus tessulatusLiophloeus tessulatus
Red-legged ShieldbugPentatoma rufipes2022
Limnephilus lunatusLimnephilus lunatus2021
MystacidesMystacides2021
Hawthorn ShieldbugAcanthosoma haemorrhoidale2020
Dark-edged Bee-flyBombylius major2020
Large WhitePieris brassicae2018
Painted LadyVanessa cardui2017
Small CopperLycaena phlaeas2017
PeacockAglais io2017
Common BluePolyommatus icarus2017
GatekeeperPyronia tithonus2017
Purple HairstreakFavonius quercus2017
Small SkipperThymelicus sylvestris2017
CommaPolygonia c-album2016

🌿

Plants96 species

springautumn

2025

Common Feather-moss · Rough-stalked Feather-moss · Silver-moss · Wall Screw-moss · Hypnum cupressiforme var. cupressiforme +91

Common Feather-mossKindbergia praelonga2018
Rough-stalked Feather-mossBrachythecium rutabulum2018
Silver-mossBryum argenteum2018
Wall Screw-mossTortula muralis2018
Hypnum cupressiforme var. cupressiformeHypnum cupressiforme var. cupressiforme2018
BugleAjuga reptans
Creeping ButtercupRanunculus repens
Meadow VetchlingLathyrus pratensis
MeadowsweetFilipendula ulmaria
Springy Turf-mossRhytidiadelphus squarrosus2018
Grey-cushioned GrimmiaGrimmia pulvinata2018
Neat Feather-mossPseudoscleropodium purum2018
Marsh ThistleCirsium palustre
CuckooflowerCardamine pratensis
Creeping ThistleCirsium arvense
Common Mouse-earCerastium fontanum
Meadow ButtercupRanunculus acris
Common KnapweedCentaurea nigra2023
Wood Bristle-mossLewinskya affinis2018
Pointed Spear-mossCalliergonella cuspidata2018
Anomalous Bristle-mossOrthotrichum anomalum2018
Hart's-tongue Thyme-mossPlagiomnium undulatum2018
Capillary Thread-mossBryum capillare2018
Bird's-claw Beard-mossBarbula unguiculata2016
Amphibious BistortPersicaria amphibia
Ribwort PlantainPlantago lanceolata
Common SorrelRumex acetosa
Sheep's SorrelRumex acetosella
Himalayan BalsamImpatiens glandulifera2023
Small-flowered CatchflySilene gallica2023
Common Spotted-orchidDactylorhiza fuchsii2023
Hoary PlantainPlantago media2023
Red CloverTrifolium pratense2023
Bulbous ButtercupRanunculus bulbosus2021
MousetailMyosurus minimus2021
Frizzled PincushionPlenogemma phyllantha2018
Common Cord-mossFunaria hygrometrica2018
Common PincushionDicranoweisia cirrata2018
Common SmoothcapAtrichum undulatum2018
Creeping Feather-mossAmblystegium serpens2018
Swan's-neck Thyme-mossMnium hornum2018
Hemisphaeric LiverwortReboulia hemisphaerica2017
Common Striated Feather-mossEurhynchium striatum2016
Silky Wall Feather-mossHomalothecium sericeum2016
White CloverTrifolium repens
Dog's MercuryMercurialis perennis2024
Musk ThistleCarduus nutans2023
Corn MintMentha arvensis2023
Rough HawkbitLeontodon hispidus2023
Common Bird's-foot-trefoilLotus corniculatus2023
Glaucous SedgeCarex flacca2021
TormentilPotentilla erecta2021
Marsh-bedstrawGalium palustre2021
SelfhealPrunella vulgaris2021
Lesser TrefoilTrifolium dubium2021
Marsh RagwortJacobaea aquatica2021
Early-purple OrchidOrchis mascula2021
Green-winged OrchidAnacamptis morio2021
Curled Dock / Broad-leaved DockRumex crispus/obtusifolius2021
Celery-leaved ButtercupRanunculus sceleratus2021
Brewer SprucePicea breweriana2019
TriticaleSecale x Triticum = X Triticosecale2019
Prickly PoppyRoemeria argemone2019
Soft-tufted Beard-mossDidymodon vinealis2018
River Feather-mossBrachythecium rivulare2018
Lyell's Bristle-mossPulvigera lyellii2018
Intermediate Screw-mossSyntrichia montana2018
Clustered Feather-mossRhynchostegium confertum2018
SphaerocarposSphaerocarpos2018
Great Scented LiverwortConocephalum conicum2018
Hornschuch's Beard-mossPseudocrossidium hornschuchianum2018
Awl-leaved Earth-mossPleuridium subulatum2018
Supine Plait-mossHypnum cupressiforme var. resupinatum2018
Dilated ScalewortFrullania dilatata2018
Crimson-tuber Thread-mossBryum rubens2018
Dune Thread-mossBryum dichotomum2018
Micheli's BalloonwortSphaerocarpos michelii2018
Blueish VeilwortMetzgeria violacea2018
Marchantia polymorpha subsp. ruderalisMarchantia polymorpha subsp. ruderalis2018
Common Bladder-mossPhyscomitrium pyriforme2018
Cape Thread-mossOrthodontium lineare2018
Heath Star MossCampylopus introflexus2018
RedshankCeratodon purpureus2018
Elegant Bristle-mossOrthotrichum pulchellum2018
Endive PelliaPellia endiviifolia2017
Long-beaked Water Feather-mossRhynchostegium riparioides2017
Conocephalum conicumConocephalum conicum2017
Whitish Feather-mossBrachythecium albicans2016
Hypnum cupressiformeHypnum cupressiforme2016
Thickpoint GrimmiaSchistidium crassipilum2016
Fox-tail Feather-mossThamnobryum alopecurum2016
Field Forklet-mossDicranella staphylina2016
White-tipped Bristle-mossOrthotrichum diaphanum2016
Common PottiaTortula truncata2016
Common Tamarisk-mossThuidium tamariscinum2016
Common CrystalwortRiccia sorocarpa2016