Suffolk is a diverse landscape for nature, with coastal landscapes, heaths and woodland making a home for a wide range of wildlife. 

There are almost fifty nature reserves to visit in Suffolk by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust.

Here are some of the best recommended reserves where you can see nature up close for free.

1. Lackford Lakes Nature Reserve

East Anglian Daily Times: The lakesides are busy with nesting birds.The lakesides are busy with nesting birds. (Image: Gregg Brown)

Where: Bury St Edmunds IP28 6HT

Lackford Lakes is described as an oasis of wildlife with lakes, reeds, meadows and woodland. 

There are three trails and eight nature viewpoints where you could see a kingfisher from.

2. Captain's Wood Nature Reserve

Where: School Road, Woodbridge IP12 2BE

The wildlife you can spot in this ancient woodland includes fallow deer, barn owls and bats. 

In spring there is a display of bluebells and you may even see some rare plants.

Suffolk Wildlife Trust advises parking in the free car park 400m from the reserve rather than in School Road.

3. Hen Reedbeds Nature Reserve

East Anglian Daily Times: Hen Reedbeds was created with support from The Heritage Lottery FundsHen Reedbeds was created with support from The Heritage Lottery Funds (Image: Bill Darnell)

Where: Halesworth Road, Southwold IP18 6SH

The reedbeds, fens and pools here were created in 1991.

A large variety of birds such as heron and marsh harrier make this reserve there home. You could even see some otters or water voles swimming in the water.

4. Newbourne Springs Nature Reserve

Where: Woodbridge Lane, Ipswich IP12 4NY 

Nightingale songs characterise this woodland which is like a secret garden.

A marked trail takes you around the reserve where you can see marsh marigold and common spotted orchid. 

Suffolk Wildlife Trust care for the springs on behalf of Anglian Water.

5. Trimley Marshes Nature Reserve

East Anglian Daily Times: You can view the Orwell estuary from Trimley MarshesYou can view the Orwell estuary from Trimley Marshes (Image: Sarah Lucy Brown)

Where: Cordy's Lane, Felixstowe IP11 0UD

The site started out as a blank canvas in 1990 and was intended to relieve the loss of the Fagbury Mudflats with the expansion of the Port of Felixstowe.

The resevoir is a hub for nesting birds and summer brings numbers of warblers and black-headed gulls. 

The free car park is a 45 minute walk from the reserve entrance.