RSPB Minsmere reopens as Dunwich Heath remains closed after wildfire
RSPB Minsmere is welcoming visitors again following the Suffolk wildfire, while the National Trust is urging people to stay away from neighbouring Dunwich Heath as safety assessments continue.
RSPB Minsmere has reopened to visitors following the major wildfire which swept through Dunwich Heath and into parts of the internationally important Suffolk nature reserve at the end of July.
The reserve reopened on Monday 10 August. The RSPB says the fire incident remains live, however, and all visitors are being asked to report to the Visitor Hub on arrival so staff can advise which areas are open and which should be avoided. Current opening hours are 9am until dusk.
The blaze began on the evening of 29 July at Dunwich Heath and spread rapidly through tinder-dry vegetation before reaching land at Minsmere. A major incident was declared and fire crews from Suffolk and elsewhere in the country were brought in to tackle the fire. More than 100 hectares of heathland were affected in the wider incident.
The major incident was stood down on 10 August, although crews have continued dampening down the affected ground and checking for hotspots. The RSPB has warned that some paths and neighbouring areas remain unavailable while the aftermath of the fire is managed.
Despite the damage, much of Minsmere's wetland bird habitat remains accessible and recent sightings show that the reserve continues to hold a wide range of birds. On 11 August these included two adult Roseate Terns, Little Terns and large numbers of Sandwich and Common Terns on the Scrape, together with a broad selection of passage waders.
Marsh Harriers, Hobbies, Bitterns and up to four Great Egrets were also reported around Island Mere and Bittern Hide, while a Turtle Dove was seen briefly on the Scrape.
The position at neighbouring Dunwich Heath is very different. The National Trust says the heath and beach will remain closed until a full impact and safety assessment has been completed and is urging people not to attempt to enter the reserve.
Right now, however, the best way people can help is by staying away from the reserve.
Russell Clement, General Manager, National Trust
The closure includes the King Charles III Coast Path and public rights of way crossing the National Trust site. The charity says some parts of the fire ground have still not been fully accessed, mapped or checked for hazards and that assessing the reserve is likely to take several weeks.
Among the immediate risks are ash and debris being blown across the site, the loss of familiar paths and landmarks, and uneven ground created by machinery and new firebreaks. Some trees which remain standing have suffered severe damage below ground, where burnt root systems have left them vulnerable to collapse.
The fire has also exposed unexploded ordnance dating from the site's use for military training during the Second World War. Specialist teams have already made some discoveries safe, but the National Trust says further items may still be present.
Other hidden hazards include rabbit burrows and warrens which have retained significant heat and continue to create hotspots below the surface. Fire also spread across the clifftops, raising concerns over their stability and making the beach below unsafe.
For wildlife, the consequences at Dunwich are expected to be substantial. Large areas of heath have been transformed, with important habitat, feeding areas and nesting sites lost. The reserve is particularly important for heathland birds including Dartford Warbler, Nightjar and Woodlark, and the longer-term ecological impact will become clearer as surveys can safely begin.
The National Trust's appeal to support the recovery of Dunwich Heath has now raised more than £600,000, which the charity says will help fund the first years of survey, recovery and restoration work.
Dunwich village itself remains open and the National Trust is encouraging people to continue supporting local businesses while staying away from the closed heath. RSPB Minsmere is also reminding visitors that the National Trust's Dunwich Heath and adjoining beach remain out of bounds.
Birders planning a visit to Minsmere should check the latest RSPB visitor information before travelling and follow instructions given at the Visitor Hub. Updates on the closure and eventual reopening of Dunwich Heath are available from the National Trust.
13 Aug 2026
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