Knettishall Heath Nature Reserve

Heathland, Forest, and Open Landscapes at the Start of the Peddars Way

Knettishall Heath Nature Reserve is one of the most distinctive heathland landscapes in the East of England. Located on the Suffolk–Norfolk border, the reserve combines open heath, woodland, grassland, river habitats, and historic trackways within a landscape shaped by wildlife, grazing, and centuries of human activity.

The reserve marks the start of the Peddars Way, one of England's best-known long-distance routes. From here, the trail follows the line of an ancient Roman road north through Norfolk, linking heathland, woodland, farmland, and historic villages before reaching the Norfolk coast.

Together, the reserve's heathland, woodland, river valleys, and open spaces create one of the most distinctive landscapes at the start of the Peddars Way. Wildlife, open horizons, and historic pathways shape the character of the area, providing a natural beginning to one of England's best-known long-distance routes.