Alder Carr Marshes

Coastal Marsh, Saltings in Suffolk East Suffolk

England

Alder Carr Marshes

Serpentine wall at Henham Park This is the westernmost wall of the four walls which form the boundary of the Henham Hall walled garden, its length, extending to 120 yards or 110 metres. There is one segmental-arched doorway built into the southern half of the wall. The other three walls are of the normal variety each having wide access gates and enclose a total of about three and one third acres.
Built in the late 18th and early 19th century of red brick with brick copings, and amounting to about 3.5m. high. It is listed as a grade II building.
My grateful thanks to Hektor Rous for allowing me access. — Serpentine wall at Henham Park Credit: Adrian S Pye

Alder Carr Marshes is a stunning coastal marshland located in Suffolk, England. Spanning over a vast area, this marshland is known for its diverse range of wildlife and unique ecosystem.

Situated along the coast, the marshes are characterized by their saltwater environment, making them a prime habitat for a variety of marine species. The area consists of a network of channels and creeks that weave through the marshes, creating a picturesque landscape.

The marshes are primarily covered by salt marsh grasses, which can withstand the high salinity levels in the soil. These grasses provide an important breeding ground for various bird species, including the iconic avocet and redshank. The marshes are a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to their significance as a breeding, feeding, and roosting site for numerous bird species.

The tidal nature of the marshes also attracts an array of invertebrates, such as crabs, shrimps, and mollusks. These invertebrates serve as a vital food source for the birds and other wildlife found in the area.

The marshes are also home to several rare plant species, including sea lavender and glasswort, which have adapted to the harsh coastal conditions. These plants add vibrant colors to the landscape, especially during the summer months when they bloom.

Alder Carr Marshes offer a peaceful and tranquil setting, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and birdwatchers. Visitors can explore the marshes through a network of footpaths and trails, allowing them to observe the rich biodiversity up close.

Overall, Alder Carr Marshes in Suffolk is a remarkable coastal marshland teeming with diverse wildlife and boasting a unique ecosystem. It serves as a valuable habitat for numerous bird species and provides a picturesque setting for visitors to enjoy.

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Alder Carr Marshes Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.342198/1.6125351 or Grid Reference TM4677. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Serpentine wall at Henham Park

This is the westernmost wall of the four walls which form the boundary of the Henham Hall walled garden, its length, extending to 120 yards or 110 metres. There is one segmental-arched doorway built into the southern half of the wall. The other three walls are of the normal variety each having wide access gates and enclose a total of about three and one third acres. Built in the late 18th and early 19th century of red brick with brick copings, and amounting to about 3.5m. high. It is listed as a grade II building. My grateful thanks to Hektor Rous for allowing me access.

Adrian S Pye

A short length of serpentine wall on Henham Park

The wall is close to, but not part of the 120 yards or 110 metre length of garden wall. TM4478 : Serpentine wall at Henham Park

Adrian S Pye

Alms houses at Wangford

A plaque between the central windows reads thus: "These almshouses were built by George, 3rd Earl of Stradbroke and Helena his wife in memory of their son Christopher Simon Rous who died in Melbourne, Australia after long suffering bourne with heroic patience and cheerfulness." The plaque can be seen here TM4679 : Plaque on the almshouses at Wangford

Adrian S Pye

Plaque on the almshouses at Wangford

The plaque between the central windows reads thus: "These almshouses were built by George, 3rd Earl of Stradbroke and Helena his wife in memory of their son Christopher Simon Rous who died in Melbourne, Australia after long suffering bourne with heroic patience and cheerfulness." TM4679 : Alms houses at Wangford

Adrian S Pye

Serpentine wall at Parson's Meadow, Wangford

A serpentine or crinkle-crankle wall was initially designed to save bricks and reduce to cost of building walls. Suffolk seems to be the historical birthplace of the metamorphic remodelling of the straightforward into the curiously peculiar. A wavy wall can be built with the thickness of a single brick and is self supporting even in very strong winds whereas a straight wall requires a thickness of at least two bricks (9 inches) and even buttresses if raised over about three feet. Wikipedia has a few words to add: A crinkle crankle wall, also known as a crinkum crankum, slangenmuur (snake-wall) sinusoidal, serpentine, ribbon or wavy wall, is an unusual type of structural or garden wall built in a serpentine shape with alternating curves, originally used in Ancient Egypt, but also typically found in Suffolk in England. The alternate convex and concave curves in the wall provide stability and help it to resist lateral forces, leading to greater strength than a straight wall of the same thickness of bricks without the need for buttresses. The phrase "crinkle crankle" is an ablaut reduplication, defined as something with bends and turns, first attested in 1598 (though "crinkle" and "crankle" have somewhat longer histories).

Adrian S Pye

Old Post Office at Wangford

Link

Sandy Gerrard

Wolsey's Creek

Looking along Wolsey's Creek near to Reydon, Suffolk on a dull winters day.

Keith Evans

Footbridge

Footbridge into the nature reserve near to Reydon, Suffolk.

Keith Evans

Mardley Road

Looking along Mardley Road near to Reydon, Suffolk.

Keith Evans

Road Junction

Road junction as seen from Mardley Road near to Reydon, Suffolk.

Keith Evans

Track

Track near to Reydon, Suffolk.

Keith Evans

Norfolk Road

Norfolk Road Reydon, Suffolk.

Keith Evans

Halesworth Road

Looking east along Halesworth Road near to Blythburgh, Suffolk.

Keith Evans

Footpath and entrance

Footpath and entrance near to Blythburgh, Suffolk.

Keith Evans

Henham Park lake 'en fete' ...

From a temporary footbridge over the lake at Latitude 2016.

Peter Turner

Approaching the lake bridge at festival time

The continuing success of Latitude seems to have spawned a number of bridges over the lake, this being the major one and appears to be a permanent fixture.

Peter Turner

Henham Park lake and bridge

Latitude subjects the local ovine population to a transfiguration and leaves them in the pink. The normally secluded lakeside banks subjected to heavy foot traffic by humans but after a few days all is quiet again. But the sheep are presumably still pink.

Peter Turner