Suffolk’s protected sites
Despite the landscape being heavily dominated by agriculture, Suffolk has retained much of its natural heritage, the majority of which is now protected by some kind of conservation designation. The county is well known for its extensive coastline habitats, which include shingle beaches, saline lagoons, estuaries, and saltmarsh. Suffolk also contains significant tracts of lowland heathland, on a scale that is significant at both national and international levels. The majority of the heathland falls within the Brecks in the west and the Sandlings on the east coast. Suffolk is also rich in ancient woodlands, species-rich meadows, grazing marsh, and reedbed.
© Suffolk Biodiversity Information Service. Administrative boundaries: © Crown copyright and database rights 2025 Ordnance Survey AC0000849963 Access Land: © Natural England copyright. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2025
Designated sites: In Suffolk, there are over 1,100 designated sites covering more than 42,700 ha, including areas designated at local, national, and international levels. In addition, parts of The Broads National Park and two National Landscapes (formerly AONBs) cover a further 35,180 ha. There are 148 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in Suffolk, covering an area equivalent to 8% of the county or 31,307 ha (see map 1). These sites are designated by Natural England, with some of the best examples also designated as National Nature Reserves (NNRs). Suffolk also features 38 Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) covering an area of 470 ha; these represent places with wildlife or geological features of local interest.
County Wildlife Sites: County Wildlife Sites (CWS) play a crucial role in conserving Suffolk’s biodiversity. CWS designation is non-statutory, but recognises the high value of a site for wildlife. Many sites are of county, regional, or national importance and are often designated because they support characteristic or threatened species or habitats. Sites may be privately or publicly owned and vary in size from small meadows, green lanes, dykes, and hedges to much larger areas of ancient woodland, heathland, commons, and marshes (see map 2). For more information, including how to propose a County Wildlife Site, visit the County Wildlife Site page.
Roadside Nature Reserves and County GeoSites: Suffolk’s Roadside Nature Reserves (RNRs) are shown in map 2 and represent good examples of species-rich plant communities, including plants of national or county importance. Most have CWS status; others are legally protected by virtue of falling within an SSSI or supporting legally protected species. Places of geological interest in Suffolk are designated as County GeoSites – non-statutory designations that highlight their local importance for understanding the county’s landscape and geology. Further information is available on the GeoSuffolk website.
Special Protection Areas, Special Areas of Conservation, and Ramsar sites: Large portions of Suffolk fall within nationally and internationally designated sites (see map 3). Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) were originally established under the EU Birds and Habitats Directives and are now retained in UK law following the UK’s departure from the European Union. SPAs designated for their bird interest cover over 27,740 ha of Suffolk (over 7%) and SACs designated for their significant habitat interest cover over 6,591 ha (almost 2%). Suffolk also has 6 Ramsar sites, an international designation that recognises significant wetland habitat.
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