Working Together to Improve Norfolk's Wildlife
Projects
Sustead Common, Sustead Surveyors Allotment and Spurrell’s Wood
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These three individual sites together make up what we believe was once Sustead Common, split up in 1973 when the parish relinquished the title. The existing Common and Surveyors Allotment owned by National Trust and North Norfolk District Council respectively, are co-joined, but separated by a chalk stream, Gur Beck. The third site, Spurrell’s Wood, is separated from the others by the road.
When Felbeck Trust began managing the sites, the Common and Surveyors Allotment were badly over grown and, without Felbeck Trust intervention, would have reverted to woodland. After completion of basic habitat restoration work a 'permissive path' and a bridge over the stream created public access to the whole area.
In 2018 the Trust successfully raised funds to purchase Spurrell's Wood, an area of recently planted hazel coppices, hornbeam and other native trees, surrounded by ancient boundary trees. This is open to the public via a defined circular perimeter path. There is a hide at the end of the wood, with exclusive access to Friends of Felbeck Trust.
The post-code reference for the Sustead sites is NR11 8QZ.
OS Map Reference: TG 187 374.
Directions: From Sustead Cross, heading roughly north towards Aylmerton and Felbrigg Park, keeping the old Methodist Chapel on your right, the sites are on both sides of the road, close to the road bridge over the Gur Beck.
West Beckham Old Allotments, East Beckham Common and West Beckham Green
All are owned by the Parish Council. Habitat is managed by Felbeck Trust under a long lease.
The Old Allotment site is being restored to wild flower meadow, boundary hedges are being gapped up and native trees are being planted. Felbeck Trust is in touch with the RSPB who have assessed the site as suitable for their “Operation Turtle Dove” project – intended to reverse the decline of Turtle Dove; currently vulnerable to global extinction.
The post- code reference for this site is NR25 6PJ. OS Map reference: 136 406
West Beckham Green is close to Sheringham Park and is accessed from the minor road, north of the village of West Beckham, close to the junction with the A148. The site, bordered by the A148, is open woodland, including a number of mature Oak, with areas of scrub and bracken. A circular path runs around the site providing public access with a bench and picnic table provided. The site is designated as a village green.
East Beckham Common is a gently sloping site to the south of the village of East Beckham. A public footpath runs through the site with mixed mature trees and hedges along the route. The site is designated as Common.
All of these sites have a small amount of car parking. If you are parking please show consideration to local residents and respect any verges which may be designated as Roadside Nature Reserve.