Why Windmill Lodges is An Ideal Holiday Base for Bird-Lovers

Suffolk is a great place to come on holiday if you are looking for a natural break. The Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty covers most of the county’s coastline, and there are plenty of walks and trails to enjoy as well.

Windmill Lodges provide Suffolk hot tub holidays in Saxtead in the heart of the county. Here we explain why a holiday with us is perfect for bird-lovers – and not just because all our lodges are named after our feathered friends.

The East Atlantic Flyway

The East Atlantic Flyway is a migratory bird route that covers western parts of Europe including Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, Kent, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. It is of such importance that it has just been put on the UNESCO World Heritage Site shortlist by the UK Government. This is in recognition of its vital importance to bird populations, as an area that sees more than 90 million birds pass through every year.

Species such as dark-bellied brent geese, and black- and bar-tailed godwits, pass through Suffolk – RSPB Minsmere in particular – on their way to Iceland, Greenland, Siberia and other migratory destinations. Minsmere is also used as a feeding stop as part of their journey, but not as a breeding ground.

At the moment there are only two purely natural UNESCO sites in the UK; the Dorset and East Devon Coast and the Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland (although there are other, cultural sites – or a combination of the two). So it would be quite an accolade for the East Atlantic Flyway to be added to this list.

RSPB Minsmere Itself

RSPB Minsmere is a great resource for bird-lovers, and not just because of the Flyway. Avocets, bearded tits, bitterns, marsh harriers and nightingales can all be found here if you know the right time of year to come. Some species actually nest and breed on the reserve, whereas others migrate to other parts of the world.

Minsmere’s not just about watching the birds; the site has a visitor centre and an extensive network of trails and paths. There are also play zones (Wild Zone and Wood Wood Adventure), a picnic site, a visitor centre and shop, as well as eight bird hides. Entry is free to members of the RSPB. The reserve hosts a number of special events so check out the Minsmere website to learn more.

RSPB Minsmere is just 15 miles east of Windmill Lodges in Saxtead, so it’s the ideal place to base yourself if you are going ‘twitching’ or birdwatching. And, at the end of the day, you can come back and relax in your own private hot tub.

The Clear Skies

Another thing which also benefits birdwatchers is the open countryside and clear skies. Birdwatchers have plenty of sites from which to view a wide variety of species, not just at the coast.

The clear skies also apply at night, with the lack of light pollution meaning that Suffolk is an excellent place for astronomers to do a spot of stargazing. This particularly applies to Windmill Lodges, where we have a large area where telescopes can be set up.

There’s also plenty of wildlife on or near our site too, including great spotted and green woodpeckers, as well as red, roe and muntjac deer, if you prefer to stay close to your chalet.

Suffolk Hot Tub Holidays at Windmill Lodges

At Windmill Lodges, we have a range of four- and five-star rated log cabins, two of which (Woodpecker and Wagtail) are pet-friendly. All of our lodges come with fully-equipped kitchens and bathrooms, as well as your own private hot tub. They are ideal if you want a romantic break, a family holiday or a short Suffolk break.

To check our availability, simply click here. You can also call us on 01728 685338 if you have any questions.