Southrepps Common Visit

A month ago, a small group of Southrepps Common volunteers visited three of our sites – WBOA, East Beckham Common and the Sustead cluster – and, in return, we were invited to visit Southrepps Common. Ideally, this visit would take place in May, when the common is at its best but we wanted our first visit to be sooner than that, so six of us – David and Maureen H, Stu and Tracey B, David S and I – gathered in the car park opposite Southrepps and Antingham Primary School on the afternoon of Friday July 17th. We were greeted by Duncan and three other Southrepps volunteers who had visited our sites, along with two others, one of whom, Margaret, was our leader for the afternoon.

David S wrote about the visit:

‘Every day is a school day, so it was interesting to learn that the main site of the five parcels at Southrepps Common is not only a SSSI but also a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). These are nature conservation sites of international significance. The toppermost of the poppermost. It is part of the widely dispersed Norfolk Valley Fens SAC, a designation which also includes Holt Lowes and Beeston Regis & Sheringham Commons within this corner of North Norfolk. These SAC sites, including Southrepps, are designated for their distinctive lowland habitat (spring-fed swampy ground) and, in the case of Southrepps, key species of flora associated with these conditions (April and May are probably the best time to visit for plant species). There was further intrigue that the site also hosts snail eating flies (or more accurately flies whose larvae are parasitic to snails). Invasive plant species represent a significant challenge including the dreaded seed popping Himalayan Balsam and the pond bully, New Zealand Pigmyweed (Crassula helmsii). Keeping these at bay forms a critical part of the work of the friendly group of volunteers, along with giving the main common a cyclical cutting regime agreed with Natural England / Norfolk Wildlife Trust.’

And the other David, David H, added:

‘A clear little stream flows continuously through the Commons, here about 2km below its source just east of Thorpe Market. It later becomes the Ant, flowing into Barton Broad. It would make an interesting comparison with our own Gur Beck at Sustead, although here it is an SSSI and so permission is needed to sample, especially if it might have native crayfish. ‘

Many thanks to Duncan, Margaret and the rest of the group for giving us such an interesting and informative tour and we look forward to returning in April or May next year, with a larger group.

Peter Maingay

July 17th 2026