Snape has a number of lovely walks as well as open access areas of heathland. We have provided two maps that we hope will help you enjoy the area.
Snape sits on part of the Suffolk Coastal Cycle Route, an 88 mile signed circular route around the Suffolk Coast and Heaths areas of outstanding natural beauty. It meanders along quiet roads and well surfaced tracks. Get more information and free maps from East of England Tourism on +44 (0)1284 727470. Other sources of information are Sustrans and Visit East of England
THE RSPB AT SNAPE
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds currently manages 133 hectares of land in the Snape area. The RSPB now owns 61 hectares of land at Abbey Farm and, in conjunction with the Environment Agency, intends to create a new wetland for wildlife. Water levels will be raised across the site to allow reedbeds to spread and provide a home for rare species such as bitterns, marsh harriers, otters and water voles. Work is due to start in January 2008 and will take two winters to complete.
At the moment there is no public access to the Abbey farm site as construction works will make the area unsafe.
The RSPB also manages 72 hectares of heathland and acid grassland at Snape Warren under an agreement with The Guy Heald 1993 Settlement Trust. Management work here is supported by Natural England's "wildlife enhancement scheme" which has allowed large scale scrub removal and grazing. Currently Exmoor ponies and Manx loghtan sheep are grazing the area. This area is now one of the best heathland areas in Suffolk and supports many pairs of breeding nightjars, woodlarks (see left) and the perky Dartford warbler.
Rob Macklin
RSPB Suffolk Area Manager
January 2008