Find out more about Dunwich Heath
Find out how to get to Dunwich Heath, where to park, things to see and do, and more.
Family activities at Dunwich Heath
Head outdoors for some family fun at Dunwich Heath. Here's what you could get up to on your visit...
Half-term at Dunwich Heath and Beach
We’ll have loads to keep little adventurers busy this May half-term. Track down our 13 geocaches hidden across the site, blow off some steam on the adventure play area, go for a stroll along the beach or come and take part in one of our half-term events.
Pond-dipping and bug basement sessions
25-26 May and 1-2 June, 11am-2pm
Take a closer look at the beasties and bugs that call our woodland and waterways home.
Dunwich Heath Big Breakfast
Sunday 26 May, from 08.45am
Bring the whole family along for a hearty breakfast in Coastguard’s Lookout and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the heath before the crowds arrive. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available. Booking is essential.
We'll also have...
Tracker packs
10am - 3pm | Free
Collect a tracker pack from visitor welcome and see what wildlife you can discover. Packed full of spotter sheets, pots and magnifying glasses, the packs can help you study nature of all shapes and sizes as you explore the heath, woodland or beach. Just ask for one at visitor welcome when you arrive.
Geo-caching
9am - 4pm | Free
How about a treasure hunt while you take in the beauty of the heath? Download the geo-caching app before you visit and then use it while you're here to find the 13 geo-caches hidden around the site.
Trails
10am - 3pm | Free
We have the Dunwich Discovery trail and Tree Trek available for you to have a go at. Discover the history of Dunwich Heath, from smugglers to coastguards and through two world wars, or learn more about the trees that you can find on the heath. Once you've completed your trail, head back to the visitor welcome hut for your prize!
Den building
9am - 4pm | Free
Are you a stick architect? Head to our den building area and gather your sticks then see what kind of den you can build. Will it be long and thin, short and wide, or a bit of both? The possibilities are endless...
Crafts in Heath Barn
10am - 3pm | Free
From stick swords to natural mandalas and leaf crowns to Hapazome, let your creative side shine at the craft table in Heath Barn.
Planning your family visit
Here's some information to help make your family day out at Dunwich Heath and Beach as easy to enjoy as possible:
- The buggy-friendly accessible route takes in a good portion of the heath, just grab a map from visitor reception.
- Baby changing can be found in the toilets, adjacent to the car park.
- High chairs, cups and water jugs are available in the Tearoom.
- If you fancy a picnic, you'll find picnic benches all around the coastguard cottages. Or you're welcome to take a picnic blanket and find a spot on the grass or on the beach, but please put your litter in the bins provided by the cottages.
- The toilet block is adjacent to the car park, while there is an accessible toilet in the cottages.
- The beach is two minutes walk down the slope from the car park.
- The tearoom is situated in the coastguard cottages, just next to the car park. See our opening times for more details.
- Visitor welcome is at the edge of the car park. Please collect your parking tickets from here.
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Bringing your dog to Dunwich Heath
Dunwich Heath is a three pawprint rated place. The nature reserve is a wonderful place to explore with your dog. Here’s all you need to know about visiting with your four-legged friend.
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Things to see at Dunwich Heath
Discover the different areas to explore, and the variety of wildlife you can spot when you visit Dunwich Heath, with some rarer species highlighted...
Trail
Dunwich Heath wartime trail
A trail taking you on an in-depth dive into the wartime history of Dunwich Heath, stopping at locations around the site that still show evidence of the military activity.
Coastguard Cottages tea-room
The tea-room is open for hot and cold drinks, snacks and light meals. If you have an allergy and would like ingredient information, ask one of the staff, who’ll be happy to help.