Birdwatching from a hide, Family day out at the RSPB nature reserve

Nature reserves for families

Go wild with the children - fun for big kids as well as little ones!

Map view
List view

Our top 10 family reserves

To find out more, pick a marker from the map or zoom in.

Loch Leven

Part of the Loch Leven National Nature Reserve, this is an ideal day out for all the family. Visit our hides for close-up views of wildlife.
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Fairburn Ings

With pond-dipping, regular fun events and walks to help you get away from it all, RSPB Fairburn Ings is the ideal place for adults and children to find out more about wildlife.
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Saltholme

Come and explore our huge wetland and all its wildlife, but don't forget to make time for our brilliant café - just follow your nose for freshly-brewed coffee, gooey cakes and mouthwatering meals.
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Conwy

Situated on the banks of the Conwy estuary, with magnificent views of Snowdonia and Conwy Castle, this reserve is delightful at any time of year.
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Newport Wetlands

This nature reserve offers a haven for wildlife on the edge of the city, but is a great place for people too with our visitor centre, a cafe, shop and children's play area.
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Rainham Marshes

We acquired Rainham Marshes in 2000 and set about transforming it into a great place for nature and people. You can expect to see breeding wading birds in spring and summer, and large flocks of wild ducks in winter.
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Minsmere

There's so much to see and hear at Minsmere: splendid woodland, wetland and coastal scenery, rare birds breeding and calling in on their migrations, shy wildlife like otters, the 'booming' of bitterns in spring, beautiful bugs and flowers.
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Old Moor

Right at the heart of the Dearne Valley, Old Moor is a wonderful place to come and watch wildlife. The skies, fields and open water are teeming with birds throughout the year.
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Pulborough Brooks

Set in the heart of beautiful countryside, this reserve is a fantastic day out for people of all ages. Walks lead through hedge-lined paths to viewing areas and hides where volunteers are often on hand to help point out the wildlife.
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Radipole Lake

A nature reserve in central Weymouth sounds unlikely, but once you are on the footpath amongst the reeds and lagoons you could be far away in the countryside.
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Our top 10 family reserves

RSPB reserves really are great places to get away from it all, get closer to nature, and enjoy spending time together as a family.

We have more than 100 which you can visit - our top 10 family reserves all feature:

Friendly volunteers and staff on hand seven days a week.
Visitor centres offering a range of information, advice, wildlife guides and spotting sheets to help you work out what you are seeing!
An RSPB shop, filled with games, toys and craft activities, at pocket-money prices.
Clean, well-maintained toilets and baby changing facilities.
Snacks, drinks and picnic tables (all family-friendly reserves, except Fairburn Ings, also have tea rooms serving delicious, locally-sourced snacks, meals and drinks. High chairs are available).
Boredom-busting events which run throughout the year, including weekends and school holidays.
Fun, self-guided activities like pond dipping, bug hunting, birdwatching or explorer kits to hire.
Wide, level 'pushchair-friendly' paths with short routes, perfect for little legs
Natural play areas, or open spaces to play in - just the ticket for letting off steam!