East Beckham Common

The site is owned by East and West Beckham Parish Council. Habitat is managed by Felbeck Trust under a long lease.

Access

Post-code: NR11 8RP

OS Map Reference: TG 157 396

Directions: From the A148, take Gibbet Lane southwards, continuing onto Red Barn Lane. Turn left onto East Beckham Road. The Common is up The Loke, accessible only on foot.

Parking: There is no dedicated parking. Park with care on East Beckham Road.

Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome. Please keep to paths.

Accessibility: The site is accessed via an uphill slope. As this is a natural site there are inevitably some uneven patches and tree roots etc. In wet weather the paths may be slippery and muddy.

Habitat

This gently sloping site lies to the south of the village of East Beckham and consists of a public footpath with broad margins to either side. There are mixed mature trees and hedges along the route with areas of Blackthorn thicket, Bramble/Bracken scrub and small patches of open grassland. The boundary bank may date back to Saxon times.

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Habitat Management

Prior to Felbeck Trust taking on the habitat management in 2019, the site had largely been unmanaged apart from some recent clearance of some areas of Blackthorn and Bracken.

Whilst East Beckham Common appears to hold no particularly rare flora or fauna, it acts as a 'wildlife oasis in an agricultural green desert’, where wildlife can feed, breed and shelter. It also represents a valuable public amenity space, allowing visitors to enjoy nature at close-quarters – improving awareness, health and well-being.

What have we achieved?

Improvement of boundary hedges, through a combination of laying and gapping-up, protecting the site from prevailing weather and providing important nesting sites for farmland birds
Maintenance of paths
Erection and maintenance of bird-boxes and bat-boxes
Management of temporary standing water, damp ditches
Construction of rustic seating

What are our future plans?

Erect relevant interpretive signage, subject to funding and any approvals
Where possible, eradication of garden escapes and pernicious weeds
Creation of a dew-pond

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