Churchfarm Marshes

Coastal Marsh, Saltings in Suffolk Great Yarmouth

England

Churchfarm Marshes

Churchfarm Marshes is a coastal marshland located in Suffolk, England. It is a part of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, known for its diverse and unique ecosystems. The marshes are situated near the village of Aldeby, along the banks of the River Waveney.

Covering an area of approximately 200 acres, Churchfarm Marshes is a prime example of a salt marsh habitat. Here, the land is regularly flooded by tidal waters, resulting in a mix of brackish water and mudflats. The marshes are divided into several distinct zones, including salt marsh, reed beds, and salt pans.

The salt marsh at Churchfarm Marshes is characterized by its low-lying, flat landscape, covered in a variety of salt-tolerant plants such as samphire, sea lavender, and glasswort. These plants provide vital habitat and food sources for numerous bird species, including wading birds like redshanks, oystercatchers, and curlews. During the winter months, the marshes attract large flocks of migratory birds, making it a popular destination for birdwatchers.

The reed beds within the marshes are home to a diverse range of wildlife, including reed warblers, marsh harriers, and water voles. These habitats are carefully managed to maintain their ecological balance and support the rich biodiversity found in the area.

Visitors to Churchfarm Marshes can explore the marshland via a network of footpaths and nature trails. The marshes offer breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and provide a tranquil environment for those seeking to connect with nature. It is also a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, highlighting its importance for wildlife conservation and scientific research.

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Churchfarm Marshes Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.590618/1.652716 or Grid Reference TG4705. 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 Railway Station

Matthew Chadwick

Berney Arms Windmill

Matthew Chadwick

River Yare

Matthew Chadwick

Train passing the cows

Matthew Chadwick

Wherryman's Way

Matthew Chadwick

Lockgate 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