What's here? at Marshside
Available on site
Autumn/Winter opening hours: 8.30am-4pm (1 November-1 March)
Spring/Summer opening hours: 8.30am-5pm (2 March-31 October).
The car park is closed and locked outside of these hours.
RSPB car park charges: £1.50 Up to 2 hours / £3.00 Over 2 hours.
RSPB Members and Blue Badge holders park for free.
Uneven ground. Unmarked spaces. No height restriction barrier. No lighting in car park. No overnight parking or camping. Access to reserve via toucan crossing over Marine Drive. Lighting by crossing.
Car park not suitable for coaches and buses. Please call us on 01704 211690 for coach/bus parking information. Bicycle racks available outside the visitor centre.
Our portable toilet is open daily, in line with our seasonal opening times. It is located just outside our visitor centre.
Please see the 'Nature Trails' section for access information.
Please see the 'Nature Trails' section for access information.
Our portable toilet is open daily, in line with our seasonal opening times. It is located just outside our visitor centre.
Our visitor centre is housed in Sandgrounders' hide and offers panormaic views out over Marshside. Accessed by surfaced level path. Adjustable telescope available when staff/volunteers present.
Displays include large map, interactive 'What's About' board and wildlife illustrations with fixed and seasonal identification charts. Information on tide time and height. On some days our friendly volunteers will be on-hand to welcome you.
Two 'hides' (Sandgrounders' doubling as visitor centre). Level entry to hides, 1m wide doors. Movable seating and space for wheelchair users. Three viewing screens, two with low viewing slots. One raised viewing platform, ramped with hand rails on both sides. They are open at all times.
Trail map available from visitor centre.
Hide trails are level and surfaced, at least 2m wide with passing places.300m to Visitor Centre and 560m to Nel’s Hide from car park.
Sutton’s Trail, 3 miles (4.5km), minimum of 2 hours walk. Four benches with backs (no arm rests). Rough, unsurfaced path, narrow entrances and one stile crossing.
Rimmer’s Trail, 2 miles (3km), minimum of 2 hours walk. Three benches with backs (no arm rests). Rough, unsurfaced path, narrow entrances, kissing gate and two road crossings.
Redshank Road, 0.5 mile (0.8km), minimum of 1 hours walk. Crosses tidal marshes. Track uneven and unsurfaced. Please check tide times before using this route.
Not available on site
There are no baby changing facilities, electricity or running water here. The Nearest public toilets are around 2 miles away in Southport or Hesketh.
BBQs are a fire risk, endangering other people and the precious wildlife and habitats here. They are not permitted on the site at any time.
Contact us for information on the exciting programme of curriculum-linked outdoor education sessions at our nearby Fairhaven Lake Visitor Centre.
Group bookings are accepted. Guided walks are also available.
Please note the car park is not suitable for coaches or buses. Please call 01704 211690 for coach/bus parking information.
There is no cafe or shop here, the nearest places for food and drinks are at the nearby Marshside suburb, 1 mile (1.6km) away, with further options in Southport, 2 miles away. We recommend you bring your own food and drinks if this is likely to affect your visit.
Restrictions
Dogs are welcome on the reserve, but must be kept on leads. Assistance dogs only in hides.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all parts of the reserve.