Southrepps Commons

About Southrepps Commons

Southrepps Commons comprises five adjoining sites spreading over 12 hectares in the village of Southrepps.

Just under half is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

The sites are a mosaic of woodland, tall-herb fen and reed bed, and home to many special plant species, including grass of Parnassus, fragrant orchid and, as well as a wide range of birds and invertebrates.

Southrepps Common, central to all the sites, and the most interesting and diverse botanically. Here you can see wild orchids, cottongrass, bog-bean, devil’s-bit scabious and tall reeds. Typical birds of reed beds such as reed warblers, sedge warblers and reed buntings can often be seen or heard.

School Common is woodland and can be partly accessed via a boardwalk. There is an orienteering trail designed by the school opposite too.

Pit Common has a pond which is home to moorhens, mallards and the occasional visiting heron.

Mill Common and Bradfield Road Common are both broad-leaved woodlands.

Wildlife highlights include the Southern Marsh orchid, Common Spotted orchid, Grass of Parnassus, cottongrass, bog-bean, devil’s-bit scabious, tree creeper, nuthatch, great spotted woodpecker.