England

Norfolk & Suffolk, England

10–19 May 2027 · dates are tentative until registration opens · we'll contact you when registration opens10 days / 9 nights4–10 guests

Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchosField recording · dawn

The Journey

A looping route that begins on The Wash, runs the length of the north Norfolk coast into the Broads, dips inland to the Brecks and Suffolk's ancient woods, and finishes on the Suffolk coast — never more than one hotel move every two nights.

The route · Norfolk → Suffolk → London

May in Norfolk and Suffolk is spring at full volume. The North Sea coast catches migrants dropping in off the water, the great reedbeds hold booming Bittern and bugling Crane, and the ancient woods inland ring with Nightingale song at close range. This is a route built around comfort as much as birds — four characterful hotels, no more than one move every two nights, and a pace that lets the days breathe.

Landscapes in focus

A pair of Avocets wading through shallow water at Titchwell Marsh, their reflections mirrored below — Avocet pair, Titchwell Marsh — the RSPB's own emblem, breeding here in numbers each May.Photo: Giles Laurent · CC BY-SA 4.0

A camouflaged Nightjar perched lengthwise along a branch at dusk — Nightjar at dusk, Dunwich Heath — an extraordinary churring song from a bird built to vanish into bark.Photo: Bouke ten Cate · CC BY 4.0

A colony of Grey Seals hauled out along the shingle at Blakeney Point, Norfolk — Grey Seals hauled out at Blakeney Point — one of England's largest colonies, alongside nesting terns.Photo: Hugh Venables · CC BY-SA 2.0

Day by Day

Sun · 10 May

Arrival in England

We arrive into London and, depending on timings, either overnight near the city or drive straight up to Norfolk to be in position for an early start.

STAY In or near London

Mon · 11 May

Snettisham & Titchwell Marsh

RSPB Snettisham on The Wash is timed to the morning high tide — we walk out to the Wader Watch about two hours before high water, in position as the flood pushes vast flocks of Knot and Dunlin off the mudflats in one of Britain's great wildlife spectacles. The afternoon is spent at Titchwell Marsh for breeding Avocet, hunting Marsh Harrier, and the chance of Bittern and Bearded Tit.

STAY Le Strange Arms Hotel, Hunstanton

NOTE Arrive ~2 hrs before high water · big spring tide

TARGETS Knot · Dunlin · Avocet · Marsh Harrier · Bittern

Tue · 12 May

Holkham, Kelling Heath, Cley & Blakeney

An early start at Holkham, where the pine belt funnels spring migrants, then Kelling Heath — one of Norfolk's best Nightingale sites, where males sing in full voice within metres of the path. Late morning at Cley & Salthouse Marshes, the most famous birding site in Britain, finishing at Blakeney Point for nesting terns and basking Grey Seals.

STAY Le Strange Arms Hotel (2nd night)

TARGETS Nightingale · Spoonbill · Wood Sandpiper · Sandwich Tern

Wed · 13 May

Hickling Broad & the Norfolk Broads

England's largest protected wetland. Hickling Broad is a stronghold for Bittern and breeding Common Crane, whose bugling carries across the water. We take the water-trail boat for the best chance of Bittern in flight, then walk the fen trails for Bearded Tit, Grasshopper Warbler and hunting Hobby.

STAY Dunston Hall Hotel, near Norwich

TARGETS Bittern · Common Crane · Bearded Tit · Hobby · Swallowtail

Thu · 14 May

Strumpshaw Fen & Norwich

A morning at Strumpshaw Fen in the Yare valley — Kingfisher on the river, Hobby over the fen, Cetti's and Reed Warblers from the reed edge, with an outside chance of Otter. The afternoon is free to explore Norwich, one of England's great medieval cities.

STAY Dunston Hall Hotel (2nd night)

TARGETS Kingfisher · Cetti's Warbler · Marsh Harrier · Peregrine

Fri · 15 May

Lakenheath Fen at Dawn — Oriole & Nightingale

The most thrilling morning of the trip. We reach Lakenheath Fen before first light as the dawn chorus erupts, Nightingale singing from the riverside willows. As the light grows we listen for the fluting call of Golden Oriole in the poplars — one of only a handful of reliable UK sites. Afternoon at Lynford Arboretum for Hawfinch, Crossbill and Firecrest.

STAY The Bushel, Bury St Edmunds

NOTE 04:45 start

TARGETS Golden Oriole · Nightingale · Hawfinch · Firecrest

Sat · 16 May

Wolves Wood, Lackford Lakes & Bury St Edmunds

RSPB Wolves Wood, the finest Nightingale site in Suffolk — ancient coppiced woodland holding one of the densest populations anywhere. Then Lackford Lakes, where Osprey is a regular May visitor. Afternoon in Bury St Edmunds — the ruined Abbey, the gardens, and the Cathedral of St James.

STAY The Bushel (2nd night)

TARGETS Nightingale · Osprey · Garden Warbler · Little Ringed Plover

Sun · 17 May

Minsmere, Dunwich Heath & Nightjar at Dusk

RSPB Minsmere — birthplace of modern conservation, where Avocets returned in 1947 — gives us The Scrape and Island Mere for Avocet, Bittern, Bearded Tit and Mediterranean Gull. Dunwich Heath holds Dartford Warbler and Woodlark. We return at dusk for Nightjar, an extraordinary churring from the darkening heath.

STAY The Crown, Westleton

TARGETS Avocet · Bittern · Dartford Warbler · Nightjar · Woodcock

Mon · 18 May

Aldeburgh Seawatch, Sutton Hoo & Departure

A relaxed final morning: a seawatch from the Aldeburgh shingle for Gannet, Common Scoter and passing Red-throated Diver, paired with Sutton Hoo — the Anglo-Saxon ship burial excavated in 1939. After lunch we drive back to London in under two hours.

STAY In or near London

TARGETS Gannet · Common Scoter · Kittiwake · Little Tern

Tue · 19 May

Departure

Transfer to the airport and onward journeys home, after ten days and some of the finest spring birding in England.

Target Species

Nightingale

Luscinia megarhynchos

Bittern

Botaurus stellaris

Avocet

Recurvirostra avosetta

Golden Oriole

Oriolus oriolus

Common Crane

Grus grus

Nightjar

Caprimulgus europaeus

Where We Stay

Days 2–3

Le Strange Arms Hotel

Hunstanton — seafront Victorian hotel, superb breakfast, 10 minutes from Titchwell.

Official lodge site

Days 4–5

Dunston Hall Hotel

Near Norwich — the largest hotel of the trip, with spa, pool and golf for downtime.

Official lodge site

Days 6–7

The Bushel by Greene King Inns

Bury St Edmunds — a warm town-centre inn, 20 minutes from Lakenheath Fen.

Official lodge site

Day 8

The Crown

A beloved Suffolk village inn, 10 minutes from Minsmere, a favourite with birders.

Official lodge site

Registration

This journey isn't open for registration yet. The full itinerary is set out above; final pricing opens soon. Register your interest below and we'll contact you personally the moment it opens.

Fee includes

All accommodation (double-occupancy) and all meals. Ground transportation within England. All local guide fees, park entrance fees, excursions, and the services of your skilled leaders.

Fee does not include

International and domestic airfares, travel insurance, and personal expenses. The single supplement fee of $750 for guests requesting a private room.

This journey isn't open for registration yet. Register your interest and we'll contact you personally if a place or a new departure becomes available.