What's here? at St Aidan's
Available on site
90 spaces. 5 Blue Badge spaces. Blue badge spaces, approximately 30m from the Visitor Centre. Tarmac in the car park. Bicycle racks available. No formal drop-off point. No lighting in car park. No height restriction barrier.
No overnight parking or camping. We have limited capacity in the car park. Please be mindful of this before you travel and have an alternative destination in mind if we are full when you get here. Please don't park on the road or verges as it causes an obstruction for residents and emergency services.
Open daily, 10am-5pm (10am-4pm, November-February). An accessible toilet is located on the ground floor of the Visitor Centre, with level access to it. The gender neutral accessible toilet has one toilet, sink and a fold down baby changing table that can be used from a seated position.
There are both horizontal and vertical hand rails and colour contrast on critical surfaces. Push buttons on the sink. Emergency alarm cord.
Open daily, 10am-5pm (10am-4pm, November-February). They are located in the accessible toilet in the visitor centre.
The level, circular walks around our trails makes St Aidan's the perfect place for a stroll in nature with a pushchair. You and the little ones can spot ducks on the pools, taking in the stunning views across the reserve and fresh air as you go. We do recommend speaking with our team on arrival, as some paths are liable to become muddy during bad weather.
There is a mix of different types of paths, that are both flat and undulating, where walks can be enjoyed. Suggested trails are described on the trail guide and map and vary in length and difficulty, to appeal to explorers of different needs and desires. The trail guide and map are available free from the visitor centre.
Open daily, 10am-5pm (10am-4pm, November-February). They are located in a separate toilet block in the car park.
The Little Owl Cafe serves hot and cold food, including soup, teacakes and a range of sandwiches. Hot and cold drinks. Ice creams. We have a range of handmade cakes and traybakes as well as packaged options for gluten free and vegan.
There is seating inside with a beautiful view across the whole reserve. There is ample seating outside on the decking and picnic benches on the grass too.
Download our trail map, to help you plan your visit.
There is a mix of different types of paths, that are both flat and undulating, where walks can be enjoyed. Suggested trails are described on the trail guide and map and vary in length and difficulty, to appeal to explorers of different needs and desires.
The family trail guides are available for £1.50 at the visitor centre. Turning left out of the visitor centre, there is a 1 in 10 slope downhill to access some of the trails. It is 110m long.
There is a bench at the top, halfway down the slope and at the bottom. This slope provides the most direct access to the Bowers Bimble, Reedbed Ramble and Hillside Hike trails, plus the most direct, uphill, return route to the visitor centre.
You are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy on your visit, or pick up refreshments from the Little Owl Café to take out with you. Our picnic area is located by the Little Owl Café, and we have a number of other benches around the site.
We have picnic tables that are suitable for use with a wheelchair. Level access from the car park Level access from the main reserve facilities. Level access to toilets. Natural surfacing. Dedicated wheelchair spaces. Opportunity to view nature.
We run an exciting programme of guided walks and other events throughout the year.
Our popular RSPB binoculars are available to hire on your visit: £5 RSPB Puffins. £7 RSPB Avocets. Binocular hire is from the Little Owl Café. Open from 10am and to be returned by closing time. Last hire is one hour before closing.
Not available on site
Barbecue
Barbecue
Restrictions
Dogs on leads are welcome on the public footpaths and bridleways around the nature reserve. Please keep to the designated rights of way only. Disturbing wildlife does more than simply causing it to move away; it uses up their energy, decreasing their chance of survival regardless of season.
Dogs are welcome in the recreation area, indicated in grey hatching on our site maps. Dog water bowls available outside the Little Owl Café Sorry, dogs aren’t permitted inside the Little Owl Café other than assistance dogs.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all parts of the reserve.
Use of personal or commercial drones on or over RSPB-owned property is not permitted unless specifically granted by the site manager for relevant use.