Belton Fen

Downs, Moorland in Suffolk Great Yarmouth

England

Belton Fen

Belton Fen, located in Suffolk, England, is a diverse and unique natural landscape encompassing downs, moorland, and various wetland habitats. Covering an area of approximately 800 acres, it offers a haven for wildlife and is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and bird watchers.

The fen is characterized by its undulating downs, which are covered in heather, gorse, and other low-lying vegetation. These downs provide a picturesque backdrop and offer stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The moorland areas are rich in flora and fauna, with vibrant displays of wildflowers in the spring and summer months.

Wetlands are a prominent feature of Belton Fen, providing a vital habitat for a wide range of water-loving plants and animals. The fen is home to several rare and protected species, including the fen raft spider and the white-faced darter dragonfly. Birdlife is also abundant, with visitors often spotting species such as lapwings, reed buntings, and marsh harriers.

Belton Fen offers a variety of walking trails and nature trails, allowing visitors to explore the diverse landscape at their own pace. Interpretive boards and information points are scattered throughout the site, providing insights into the unique ecology and history of the area.

Managed by a local conservation organization, Belton Fen is actively involved in habitat restoration and preservation projects. Efforts are made to maintain a delicate balance between conservation and public access, ensuring that the fen can be enjoyed by both visitors and wildlife for generations to come.

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Belton Fen Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.575149/1.6581758 or Grid Reference TG4703. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Burgh Castle South Eastern Tower

A Saxon Shore Roman Fort Link

Sandy Gerrard

Eastern Wall of Burgh Castle Saxon Shore Fort

Link

Sandy Gerrard

Berney Arms Windmill

Matthew Chadwick

Angles Way by night

View of River Waveney and boatyard near to Burgh Castle, by night. In case anyone wonders, the bright light on right is a night-light on a post providing electric hookups for boats at the moorings. Angles Way runs alongside the river here.

Michael Westley

Burgh Castle WW1 War Memorial

Helen Steed

Burgh Castle WW2 War Memorial

Helen Steed

St Peter and St Paul's church

Helen Steed

Burgh Castle Roman Fort

Burgh Castle is the site of one of nine Roman Saxon Shore forts constructed in England around the 3rd century AD. This fort was possibly known as Gariannonum. The fort is roughly rectangular, measuring (internally) approximately 205 m (673 ft) by 100 m (330 ft). The walls on the north, east, and much of the south side are largely intact, standing at a height of approximately 4.6 m (15 ft) and measuring up to 3 m (9.8 ft) thick at the base. They have a core of mortared flint rubble and an external and internal facing of prepared flint and red tile or brick in alternating bands. Against the outer face of the walls there are six solid bastions of pear-shaped plan spaced symmetrically, two on the south wall, one each at the north-east and south-east angles, one slipped from position on the north wall, and one below the south wall where it has fallen. The west wall has at some time in the distant past collapsed down the underlying hillside and into what was once an estuary but is now a marsh, and nothing of it is now visible. Breydon Water is all that is left of the estuary this fort once overlooked. Link

Brian Deegan

St. Peter & St. Paul's Church, Burgh Castle

Grade II Listed Parish church. Late C11 west tower. Nave and chancel retain C13 character but remodelled C15. North aisle 1847. South porch 1857. Quaternary and Quarry flint and chert with Lincolnshire Limestone ashlar dressings and some brick. The ruins of the neighbouring Roman fort of Gariannonum, built about 270AD, have provided much of the materials (flints and Roman tiles) to build this tower and church.

Brian Deegan

Footpath along the River Yare towards Breydon Water

The footpath here forms part of the Angles Way. Although late in the year, there were many dragonflies out on the wing: one can be seen in the centre of the image.

Christopher Hilton

Burgh Flats from the Angles Way

On the horizon, the two windmills are actually on the banks not of the adjacent body of water (the River Waveney) but on the River Yare, separated from the Waveney by a slim triangle of land; the two rivers meet just off to the right of the photograph. The mills are Berney Arms Mill (to the right, still with its sails) and Red Mill (to left, without sails).

Christopher Hilton