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Welcome to the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape
Welcome to National Landscapes – the new name for the UK’s designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape stretches from Kessingland in North Suffolk, down to the Stour Estuary in North Essex.
The Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape was designated in 1970 and is cared for by a Partnership, a team, and the thousands of people who live in, work in and visit it.
It is a diverse and ever changing landscape. You can enjoy a low-lying coast of shingle and sand, ancient woodland, forest, lowland heaths, farmland, valley meadowlands, estuaries, marshes, and historic towns and villages.
What does it mean to live and work in an National Landscape? We've put together some useful information to provide an introduction and everything you need to know!
2027 Coast & Heaths Forum
The Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape team is delighted to invite you to the 2027 Coast & Heaths Forum.
The event is free to attend and will be held on Thursday 17th June from 9:00am to 1:00pm at The Hold, 131 Fore Street, Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 1LR.
Come along to the event and hear from some four fantastic speakers:
- Suffolk Coast Nature Recovery Project
- Balancing recreation and conservation
- Water & Recovering the Deben Project
- National Landscape Project Updates & Funding Opportunities
Dunwich Heath Footpath & Site Closures
Closures within the immediate affected area following the wildfire at Dunwich Heath remain in place and are expected to continue for several months while essential site safety works and route reinstatement are undertaken.
More information about the current public right of way closures and restrictions in place around Dunwich Heath, following the wildfire this summer, are available on the Suffolk County Council website.
Community grants open for applications
The Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape is proud to open multiple grants schemes that fund local community projects.
The schemes vary in purpose, scale of funding and geographic area with which they benefit, so it's important to find the right fund for your project.
You can now apply for funding now for projects running from April or July 2027 - March 2028.