Welcome to Kelling Heath Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Kelling Heath lies between Holt and Weybourne in North Norfolk, on the Cromer Ridge, overlooking the North Sea. The SSSI is described by Natural England as ‘dwarf scrub heath – lowland’ and covers 90 hectares. Lowland heath is a rare and declining habitat, and is very rich in specialised wildlife. The British Isles holds the majority of heathland in Europe. Over 90% of Norfolk’s heathland has been lost in the past 200 years to forestry, agriculture and natural woodland regeneration. The vegetation is largely open heathland comprising common gorse, western gorse, heather, bell heather and bracken.

The steep north and eastern-facing slopes are largely covered with mixed woodland. Further areas of heathland occur nearby at Muckleburgh Hill to the north and Salthouse to the west. Pine, birch, oak and rowan trees are invading the open heath in many areas, but are being kept in check by a management programme in order to maintain the special nature of the heathland.

This website aims to bring together existing records of fauna and flora for Kelling Heath SSSI, and to encourage visitors to enjoy the area and contribute further wildlife records. The species lists and photographs are aimed at helping with identification, and there is a contact facility for enquiries and records.

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