Bungay Common

Known as Outney or Bungay Common, it extends to about 400 acres and is naturally divided into The Lows, which forms about half the area, and comprises low lying grazing land bordering the River Waveney, and The Hards, the higher ground in the centre which contains an 18 hole Golf Course, and an area designated Right to Roam which is well used by ramblers and dog walkers.

The common is a wonderful place for walking, watching wildlife, spotting wildflowers and even river swimming in the clear waters of the Waveney. It is also possible to hire a canoe from the adjacent caravan park. all benefit from the ongoing maintenance programme to protect the open nature of the area, heathland and water meadows.

The Common has an interesting history.  A “going”-the right to graze livestock on the Common , was, perhaps as long as 1000 years ago, attached to owners of properties in Bungay. Eventually these 300 goings were sold away from the properties and are now owned by around fifty individuals and organisations in Bungay and the surrounding area.

The Common is managed by the Chairman and 6 Common Reeves appointed by the owners at the Annual General Meeting; they work to a management plan which was agreed ten years ago with the District Council tree wardens and the Broads Authority. The Common, with the exception of the Golf Course is, because of its special environment, now included in the new Higher Level Stewardship Scheme administered by Natural England; it is acknowledged as an important habitat for over-wintering wading birds and has one of the largest areas of acid grassland in the Waveney Valley; water voles are present in the dykes and there is a growing population of Barn Owls. Agricultural inputs are kept to a minimum to avoid seepage of harmful chemicals into the surrounding waterways. This should ensure that all visitors to the Common will benefit from the ongoing maintenance programme to protect the open nature of the area, heathland and water meadows.

There are a number of excellent walks in the area