Redgrave and Lopham Fen
| Redgrave and Lopham Fens | |
| National nature reserve | |
 View across Redgrave and South Lopham Fens
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| Country | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| State | England |
| Region | East of England |
| County | Suffolk, Norfolk |
| River | River Waveney |
| Coordinates | 52°22′49″N 01°00′57″E / 52.38028°N 1.01583°ECoordinates: 52°22′49″N 01°00′57″E / 52.38028°N 1.01583°E |
| Area | 1.25 km2 (0 sq mi) |
| Biomes | Fen, Lowland heath |
| Plant | Saw-sedge |
| Animal | Fen raft spider |
| For public | Open year round |
| Easiest access | Via A1066 road between Diss and Thetford |
| Protection status | NNR, SSSI, Ramsar Site and Natura 2000 |
| Designations | |
| Official name | Redgrave and South Lopham Fens |
| Designated | 15 February 1991 |
 Redgrave and Lopham Fens shown within Suffolk
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| Website: SWT - Redgrave & Lopham Fen | |
Redgrave and Lopham Fens is a 127 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest between Thelnetham in Suffolk and Diss in Norfolk. It is a National Nature Reserve, a Ramsar internationally important wetland site, a Nature Conservation Review site, Grade I, and part of the Waveney and Little Ouse Valley Fens Special Area of Conservation. It is managed by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust.
It is the largest remaining area of river valley fen in England and consists of a number of different fen types, including saw-sedge beds, as well as having areas of open water, heathland, scrub and woodland. It is also one of only three sites in the UK where the fen raft spider Dolomedes plantarius is known to be found.
The habitats present at Redgrave and Lopham are characteristic of areas of valley mire. This ecosystem creates a zonation of vegetation types, producing a diverse range of habitat. Dry marginal woodland becomes fen grassland, dominated by purple moor-grass, which grades into mixed fenland of reed and sedge beds. This grassland is particularly notable at Redgrave and Lopham for its areas of saw sedge Cladium mariscus.
Into these areas of fenland protrude sandy ridges covered in heath vegetation. Without management these communities become invaded by sallow and develop into scrubland. To maintain site diversity, this has been allowed to occur in some areas of the Fen.
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Wikipedia