Attenborough Nature Reserve

WHAT IT’S LIKE

A wetland reserve with river paths, a café and a sand martin hide, free to explore, but parking costs from £3 unless you're a member.

Attenborough Nature Reserve is a wetland site of old gravel pits by the Trent, established in 1966 and opened by Sir David Attenborough, now attracting around 500,000 visitors a year. Over 250 bird species have been recorded here, including kingfisher (visible all year round) and sand martins in summer (best seen from the hide behind the visitor centre's garden), plus bitterns and otters. Families can wander the riverside paths, cross bridges over the water, and drop into the Nature Centre for its café, nature shop and interactive displays, a good option if little legs (or the weather) need a break. The reserve and Nature Centre are wheelchair accessible, and well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome in the centre, though dogs must be kept on leads across the reserve, especially near livestock and ground-nesting birds. Cycling is allowed on the riverside paths but not everywhere on the reserve. There's an outside ice cream pod open Friday to Sunday for a quick treat. Large groups (15+) should call ahead since the café is small. Parking isn't free beyond the first 30 minutes: it's £3 up to 2 hours, £4 up to 4 hours, and £5 for over 4 hours/all day, though Trust members, staff and volunteers park free. The car park opens 8am until dusk. The Nature Centre and café keep shorter summer and winter hours, and the centre is closed on Christmas Day. It's an easy walk or cycle from the riverside paths and Trent Valley Greenways, a 5-minute walk from Attenborough train station, and reachable by the frequent Indigo bus service between Nottingham and Derby. Note: the Works Bridge remains closed for replacement as of the latest updates, affecting some bridleway access, and angling is currently suspended on site.