Wildlife reserves · East of England
Black Bourn Valley
In or near Beyton Green.
Black Bourn Valley — Suffolk Wildlife Trust nature reserve.
Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 2 h–4 h
- Best time of year
- Autumn & winter (migration & wildfowl)
- Nearest railway station
- Thurston · 2.1 km
- Free entry
- Family-friendly
- Dog-friendly
- Limited wheelchair access
Getting there & planning your visit
To visit Black Bourn Valley, the nearest railway station is Thurston, located 2.1 km away. Admission is free, but please note that wheelchair accessibility is limited. The postcode for sat-nav is P31 3SQ.
About
Black Bourn Valley is a wildlife reserve in the United Kingdom. It covers approximately 88 km². Managed by Suffolk Wildlife Trust. Address: P31 3SQ. Wikidata describes it as: "Suffolk Wildlife Trust nature reserve". Coordinates: 52.2500°, 0.8400°.
Photo gallery
Summary from the official site
Black Bourn Valley Nature Reserve is a rewilded area where former arable fields have been transformed into diverse habitats, promoting wildlife conservation. Visitors can explore various ecosystems, including wetlands and meadows, and observe a range of flora and fauna, including rare aquatic invertebrates and birds.
Read more on the official property page.
From the Wikipedia article
Black Bourn Valley, formerly called Grove Farm, is an 88 hectare nature reserve between Thurston and Elmswell in Suffolk. It is managed by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust. The River Black Bourn runs through this large nature reserve, which has many bird species, such as barn owls, yellowhammers, linnets, reed buntings and skylarks. Plants in wet meadows include marsh orchids and marsh marigolds. The river has reportedly dried up during the 2022 European drought. There is access by going east out of Thurston along Barrell's Road, and turning south at the end. The entrance to the site, shown on the Ordnance Survey map and on the site as Grove Farm, is on the left just before the railway line.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
- Coordinates
- 52.2500, 0.8400
- County
- Suffolk
- District
- Mid Suffolk
- Parish
- Thurston
- Postcode
- P31 3SQ
- Parliamentary constituency
- Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket
- Nearest railway station
- Thurston — 2.1 km
- Opening
- Open at all times
- Official site
- www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org
Sources
- wikidata: Q38251040 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Black Bourn Valley (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: Black Bourn Valley 6.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby
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Thurston War Memorial
Memorials & monuments · 1.1 km
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Caravan parks · 1.5 km
Norton
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Thurston railway station
Heritage railway stations · 2.1 km
The Gardeners Arms Public House
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Black Bourn Valley?
- Black Bourn Valley is in Suffolk, East of England, United Kingdom (postcode P31 3SQ), in the parish of Thurston.
- What is Black Bourn Valley?
- Black Bourn Valley — Suffolk Wildlife Trust nature reserve.
- How do I get to Black Bourn Valley?
- The nearest railway station is Thurston, about 2.1 km away. Drivers can use postcode P31 3SQ.
- Who runs Black Bourn Valley?
- Black Bourn Valley is operated by Suffolk Wildlife Trust.
- Is Black Bourn Valley free to visit?
- Yes, Black Bourn Valley is free to enter.
- How do I get to Black Bourn Valley?
- The nearest railway station is Thurston, about 2.1 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode P31 3SQ.
- Are dogs allowed at Black Bourn Valley?
- Most wildlife reserves allow dogs on lead only, with restrictions during ground-nesting bird season (March-July). Check signage at the reserve.