How to get toRSPB Minsmerecar-free
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Visit RSPB Minsmere car-free
Use our journey planner (above) for bus directions to Leiston or train directions to Darsham. From there either book a taxi in advance or use this map to walk.
From Ipswich by bus: Travel to Leiston (90 mins). Book a taxi (15 mins) or walk (95 mins).
From Ipswich by train: Travel to Darsham (45 mins). Book a taxi (15 mins).
From Lowestoft by train: Travel to Darsham (40 mins). Book a taxi (15 mins).
Check out our recommended route (below) for further information, such as travel from other towns and bus timetables.
Leiston taxis (about 15 mins) need to be booked ahead with: Henderson Taxis – 01728 830101 or A2B Taxi – 01728 633033 or 1728 440310.
Darsham taxis (10-15 mins) and Saxmundham taxis (about 20 mins) need to be booked ahead with: Torrens Cars – 07532 044 085 or A2B Taxi – 01728 633033 or 1728 440310.
Community Transport can take you all the way to RSPB Minsmere from rural coastal areas (such as: Leiston bus stop, Darsham train station, Saxmundham train station, Woodbridge or Felixstowe). You can request accessible transport with between 1 week and 1 hour notice. Book in advance: 01728 635938.
Community transport is also called a ‘demand responsive’ or ‘flexi’ bus. It looks like a minibus and is a cross between a shared taxi and a bus with no set timetable. Routes and journey times depend on the number and needs of passengers. For this reason it does not show accurately on journey planners. Your journey to RSPB Minsmere could take about 20 minutes, but this varies, so confirm when you call.
For money-saving tips see our handy guides to trains and buses or travel in Suffolk.
Find the cheapest bus tickets for you from First Eastern Counties bus (buses 63 and 65, explorer tickets are not valid) or Border bus (buses 521 and 522). Greater Anglia Rail has a range of train ticket discounts and offers at events and attractions.
Scenic Ipswich to Lowestoft train line stops at Darsham and Saxmundham and has an audio tour.
Scenic bus Red 64 runs to Leiston from Ipswich and Aldeburgh.
Cycle routes National Route 42 and the Wolf Way cross the RSPB Minsmere entrance road, with just a one mile detour to the Visitor Centre, with local roads from Westleton or Eastbridge and a bridleway from Dunwich. Plan your cycle route here. Cycle racks are available at the visitor centre. Please do not cycle on the nature trails for the safety of visitors and wildlife. Find out more about cycling in the local area.
Walking route, the Suffolk Coast Path passes RSPB Minsmere from Sizewell (2 miles), Dunwich (3 miles) or Dunwich Heath (1 mile), but you need to enter via the visitor centre. You can walk along local roads from Westleton (2.5miles) and Eastbridge (1.7 miles). Find out more about walking in the local area and other points of interest.
Here’s some information on access to attractions, buses and trains and here’s some information on accessibility at RSPB Minsmere.
Discover more offers and days out in Suffolk with Good Journey.
Getting to RSPB Minsmere car-free
Here's our recommended route to RSPB Minsmere. To get bus and train times and walking routes use our journey planner.
By train
There are direct trains to Darsham or Saxmundham from: Beccles (25 mins), Brampton (15 mins), Halesworth (10 mins), Ipswich (45 mins), Lowestoft (40 mins), Melton (25 mins), Oulton Broad South (35 mins), Wickham Market (15 mins) and Woodbridge (30 mins).
-Book a taxi in advance from Darsham (10-15 mins) or Saxmundham (about 20 mins) with: Torrens Cars – 07532 044 085 or A2B Taxi – 01728 633033 or 1728 440310.
–Community Transport can take you all the way to RSPB Minsmere from rural coastal areas (such as: Leiston bus stop, Darsham train station, Saxmundham train station, Woodbridge or Felixstowe). You can request accessible transport with between 1 week and 1 hour notice. Book in advance: 01728 635938.
By bus
There are fairly regular, direct buses to Leiston from:
- Aldburgh (buses Red 64, 65, 521 and 522, 15 mins),
- Beccles Old Market Place (bus 522, 60 mins),
- Bungay (bus 522, 60 mins),
- Brampton (bus 522, 50 mins)
- Darsham (bus 521 and bus 522, 25 mins),
- Halesworth (bus 522, 35 mins),
- Ipswich Old Cattle Market bus station stand E (Red bus 64 and bus 65, 90 mins),
- Saxmundham (buses Red 64, 65, 521 and 522, 15 mins) and
- Woodbridge (Red bus 64 and bus 65, 55 mins).
-Book a taxi in advance from Leiston (about 15 mins) with: Henderson Taxis – 01728 830101 or A2B Taxi – 01728 633033 or 1728 440310.
–Community Transport can take you all the way to RSPB Minsmere from rural coastal areas (such as: Leiston bus stop, Darsham train station, Saxmundham train station, Woodbridge or Felixstowe). You can request accessible transport with between 1 week and 1 hour notice. Book in advance: 01728 635938.
-Leiston is about 4 miles, or 95 minutes away. You could go direct or take the longer coast path. Use this map to walk.
About RSPB Minsmere
Explore Minsmere's varied habitats for stunning views of the Suffolk coast, heaths and wetlands. There's an incredible variety of wildlife, which varies through the seasons. Look for Marsh Harriers, Avocets and Adders in spring; butterflies, mining bees and terns in summer; Red Deer, migrant birds and fungi in autumn; or ducks, Starling murmurations and golden sunsets in winter. Join our knowledgeable volunteers on a guided walk or take part in family activities during the school holidays. Try the delicious range of hot and cold snacks, cakes and meals in the cafe, including our famous cheese scones that are baked daily in the kitchen.
For any queries about visiting contact RSPB Minsmere on 01728 648281 or minsmere@rspb.org.uk
Address: RSPB Minsmere, Westleton, Saxmundham, Suffolk, IP17 3BY. Visit Website