Where are the buried tanks in Norfolk?
Titchwell is popular among Norfolk locals for a good walk, but if you venture through the reserve, across the reedbeds and the marshland, you will reach one of Eastern England’s most fascinating historical sites. Titchwell was originally used as a military firing range during the Second World War, and remnants of its past can be seen on the beach today, with crumbling pillboxes and the occasional sight at low tide of the remains of two Covenanter tanks! Towards the end of the West Bank path, looking out to Titchwell beach, as well as at Thronam Point, you’ll find the remains of old RAF control towers, built during the 1950’s as part of their aircraft firing range.
Titchwell Beach History
If the tanks aren’t enough, you can go even further back in time at Titchwell, as at low tide, you can see the remains of a petrified forest. This forest, thousands of years ago, is the remains of Britain’s attachment to mainland Europe, known as ‘Doggerland’. At this time, the area was so vastly connected that our ancestors could have walked across to Germany!
The ruins of the war bunker, as you emerge from the path onto the beach, are often home to an amazing number of starfish, so make sure to bring along your young explorers. Walk for miles along the sand, or spend a few hours wildlife spotting and have a picnic in the dunes.
- Admission:
Adults £5
Children £2.50
Free entrance for first child
Free entrance for under 5s
Student £3.75 (with valid NUS card) - Opening times:
Nature reserve: open daily, at all times.
Car park: open daily, at all times.
Welcome Hub: open daily, 9.30am-4.30pm.
Shop: open daily, 9.30am-4.30pm.
Café: open daily, 9.30am-4.30pm. - Paths available for wheelchair users.
