The BTO’s Nunnery Lakes Reserve is a County Wildlife Site which lies to the south of Thetford between the Rivers Thet and Little Ouse. It follows a series of lakes created by old gravel workings, and contains a rich variety of Breckland habitats within a relatively small area. These include dry, sandy heathland, wet woodland and flood meadow, which are home to a remarkable range of resident and seasonal wildlife.
The reserve is free to visit and explore and we have a range of resources available to help you enjoy your time.
Avian influenza (AI)
Due to the recent rise in severe cases of avian influenza (also known as avian flu and bird flu) in birds across the UK, we must advise visitors not to touch sick or dead birds, should they come across them. It is better that they are dealt with by staff wearing appropriate PPE. To date, no cases of bird flu have been identified at the Nunnery Lakes Reserve but given the high levels of mobility among birds the potential is always there.
- Please contact Ian Henderson, the Reserve Manager, if you have any questions.
- Read more about how we're tackling the challenge of avian flu.
Wildlife on the reserve
Around sixty species of birds breed here and many more overwinter or pass through on migration in spring and autumn.
- Birds recorded during the breeding season (March to August)
- Birds recorded outside the breeding season (September to February)
There are Water Voles, Otters, Grass Snakes, Common Lizards and a wide variety of butterflies and dragonflies. Several scarce Breckland plants occur here, including Tower Mustard and Mossy Stonecrop.
Discovery Trail
The Nunnery Lakes Discovery Trail is a series of interpretation panels to guide you around the lakes, and a leaflet is available from BTO reception during office hours (M-T: 9-5.30 p.m., F: 5 p.m.), or for download:
You can also download a Discovery Trail photo ticklist of wildlife you might see around the Discovery Trail.
We hope you enjoy your visit.
Access to the reserve
The reserve is open during daylight hours and free for people to visit and quietly enjoy the countryside. Apart from Arlington Way, paths are unsuitable for wheelchairs but access can be arranged by contacting info@bto.org in advance.
There are three entrances, each with an information panel and map. A path runs along the River Thet from Arlington Way across a meadow to Nunn’s Bridges, where there is parking beside the Little Ouse. The path continues south along the Little Ouse to a second bridge where a left turn, away from the river, leads to a kissing gate on the right, and a track which runs to the lakes.
From the car park at the BTO, Nunnery Place leads to a track to the river, and beyond the bridge, the kissing gate to the lakes is on the right.
General information
- The nearest toilets are on Nunnery Place at the back of BTO (during office hours only).
- BTO reception is open 9 a.m. – 5.30 p.m. Mon – Thur and 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday.
- The distance from the Nuns’ Bridges to the Lakes and back is about 3 km /1.5 m.
- It is advisable to wear walking boots.
- All paths are way-marked.
- Please keep all dogs on a lead.
- Contact info@bto.org with any questions.
Getting here
- Parking is available at The Nunnery (BTO HQ) and nearby on Nuns' Bridges Road.
- Alternatively, the reserve entrance is a 20-minute walk or bus ride from Thetford Station.
- British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU
- Tel: +44 (0)1842 750050
Support the Reserve
Got a few hours you could spare? Why not become a Friend of the Nunnery Lakes Reserve and get involved in looking after and improving Thetford's wonderful nature reserve.
