Dunwich Heath and Beach to extend opening hours for visitors to witness ‘incredible’ wildlife spectacles

A nature hotspot will extend its opening hours to enable visitors to observe the changing seasons.

Dunwich Heath and Beach will stay open for an extra hour every Thursday through the autumn and winter months, as part of their ‘Dusk at Dunwich’ programme.

Guests will have the chance to view autumn sunsets and spot seasonal wildlife such as rutting deer, geese and even murmurations of starlings.

Dunwich Heath is a coastal habitat with heather that extends all the way to the cliffs and seas, and the heathland home to a number of species of bird such as the Dartford Warbler and the Woodlark.

Daniel Payne, visitor experience officer at Dunwich Heath and Beach, said: “We’re delighted to be opening for an extra hour on Thursdays.

“It gives people an extra opportunity to enjoy the landscape, watch the world go by, and maybe even see a few things that they would ordinarily miss during the day.

“The sunsets over the sea and cliffs, as Barnacle geese fly overhead, are so atmospheric, and as we get into winter, it will be a great time for people to spot a few of our migrant species that make the heath their home during the cooler months.

“Some years, we have starlings roost nearby and at dusk, they create incredible murmurations over the heath; If they roost here again this year – which we hope they do – it will be a must-see.”

For more information, visit nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/suffolk/dunwich-heath-and-beach.

Dunwich Heath and Beach is open 9am to 5pm daily in October, and 9am to 4pm daily in November, December and January before reverting to 9am to 5pm in February.