Berney Marshes and Breydon Water

Berney Marshes and Breydon Water - where the sea meets the Broads in Great Yarmouth, are part of the Broads National Park and are also RSPB designated nature reserves.

Breydon Water, at the confluence of the Rivers Bure, Yare and Waveney, eventually leading to the sea past Great Yarmouth quayside, is one of the most important estuaries on the east coast and is a Euopean Union Special Protection Area (SPA).

At Breydon Water, you can see vast numbers of wading birds, such as Golden Plover, Lapwing, Pink Footed Geese, Redshank and Wigeon. Huge numbers of wintering birds arrive from September onwards, peaking in January help make this a birdwatcher's haven. Bird watchers can observe from the hide at the east end on the north shore, just follow the Wherryman's Way long distance footpath on the northern side of the estuary. 

The English Heritage owned Berney Arms Drainage Mill stands proudly over Berney Marshes, which enjoy a particular peculiarity: they can only be accessed by rail, by boat or by foot. Two National Trails are nearby; the Weaver's Way walks right past the mill which is a short diversion off the Wherryman's Way. Birdwatchers, walkers and boaters tend to be the only ones to adventure out onto the marshes. Berney Marshes is accessible by train from Berney Arms Station. Follow the footpath signs once you disembark. 

Sunsets over Breydon Water, or with Berney Arms in the background, are quite simply stunning.

To walk to Berney Arms, walkers need to set out on either the Weaver's Way or the Wherryman's Way walks which are part of the National Trails network. Alternatively, a walk along the Angles Way has beautiful views over the river towards the mill, and amazing sunsets.