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Suffolk Coast and Heaths
An outstanding landscape
As the name suggests, the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area is an outstanding landscape. Extending from the Stour estuary in the south to Kessingland in the north, it is a low-lying coastal area of astonishing variety. Indeed, it comes as something of a surprise to leave the rolling, arable landscape usually associated with East Anglia and enter a world of subtle but fascinating contrasts – the mix of shingle beaches, crumbling cliffs, marshes, estuaries, heathland, forests and farmland that makes the AONB so special.
A source of inspiration to countless artists, writers and musicians, the Suffolk Coast and Heaths is a landscape rich in history but largely spared from modern development. The countryside, towns and villages in the AONB have an unspoilt and tranquil atmosphere but a distinctive character, recognised in 1970 when the area was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) - a landscape status equal to a National Park. It is now one of 47 AONBs within England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Click here to view a map of the protected landscapes in England and Wales.
A great place for wildlife…
Areas of outstanding countryside are often good for wildlife and one of the most noticeable features of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths is the excellence of its wildlife habitats. Few places can match the sheer variety to be found here: heathland; reedbed; ancient woodland and modern commercial forestry; saltmarsh; estuaries; shingle beaches and crumbling sandy cliffs, often in close proximity to each other. These habitats are home to many species of wildlife that are scarce or absent elsewhere, but thriving within the AONB - a tribute to the way so much of this landscape is managed with nature in mind.
…and for people
Whether you are a visitor or a local resident, the Suffolk Coast and Heaths has much to offer. The quiet towns and villages, attractive countryside and unspoilt coast make it a popular holiday destination as well as a great place to live and work. There are many recreational opportunities and the area boasts a thriving economy. But there are dangers in this popularity - that the human pressure may spoil the very things that make it so valuable. The Suffolk Coast and Heaths is a landscape to cherish and we can all play a part in helping to conserve this special place.
The links from this page will introduce you to the Suffolk Coast and Heaths landscape and some of the special wildlife to be found here.