Syderstone Common

Purple heather and blue skies at Syderstone Common

Syderstone Common (credit: Richard Osbourne)

Shrubs and heather at Syderstone Common on a sunny day

Syderstone Common (credit: Richard Osbourne)

A natterjack toad surrounded by sand and grass

Natterjack toad (credit: iStock)

Syderstone Common

Syderstone Common is a wonderful area of grass heathland, punctuated with seasonal ponds and surrounded by woodland wildlife. In late summer, the heather patches create glorious splashes of purple.

Location

2km south of Syderstone village in West Norfolk. From Fakenham take the A148 road to King’s Lynn and turn towards Docking on the B1454. After 2km turn right to Syderstone village and at a fork 400m further on, bear left up Mill Lane. The car park is 300m on the left. Entrance is from the car park.
PE31 8SE

OS Map Reference

TF 835 315

View on What3Words

A static map of Syderstone Common

Know before you go

Size
24 hectares
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Entry fee

Free
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Parking information

Main car park to the east. There are additional car parks adjacent to Syderstone Business Park and along the B1454
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Walking trails

Several sandy tracks cross the reserve. See map below for more details.

Reserve map

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Access

Paths on this site are access grade 2. Please visit our Accessibility page for more information.

Dogs

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When to visit

Opening times

Dawn till dusk, every day, all year round

Best time to visit

Spring and summer

About the reserve

Syderstone Common is well known for reptiles and amphibians – seven species have been spotted here, including great crested newts and the rare natterjack toad. Now largely restricted to coastal sand dunes, Syderstone is one of the few examples of an inland natterjack breeding site in the country. Smaller than the common toad, the natterjack has a thin, yellow stripe running along its back. Visit on a warm spring evening and you may hear a chorus of the males’ mating call, which can carry for up to two kilometres. 

Woodlark occasionally breed here too. They start singing very early in the spring. The woodlark’s beautifully rich song is a true pleasure on a frosty March morning. 

Please note: Natterjack toads and their habitat are highly protected. Disturbance and unlicensed photography is illegal.

Contact us

Norfolk Wildlife Trust
Contact number: 01603 625540
Illustrated map of Syderstone Common