Families and nature lovers in Thorpe St Andrew, Norfolk, can join a free guided wildlife walk at the Thorpe Marshes nature reserve on June 23, 2026. The event, organised by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, aims to help residents explore the local landscape and spot uncommon species such as dragonflies and warblers.
Local expert Chris Durden will lead the group through 25 hectares of flower-rich marshes and open water. The walk falls in the Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s 15th anniversary year of managing the site (NWT took over the lease in 2011); the land was traditionally managed as grazing marsh with limited public access before NWT’s stewardship.
Visitors can expect to see the rare Norfolk hawker dragonfly, which is regularly observed at the reserve in June. To join the walk, participants should meet at the pedestrian railway bridge at the end of Whitlingham Lane, accessed from Yarmouth Road (A1242) opposite Thunder Lane — note that access requires crossing a pedestrian bridge over the railway line.
While the walk is free, people are encouraged to book their spots in advance via the Norfolk Wildlife Trust (bookings are typically handled through the NWT Eventbrite portal) to help manage group sizes. More information about the habitats can be found through the British Dragonfly Society or the Visit East of England website.
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