Far Ings National Nature Reserve
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Barton-upon-Humber
What it’s like
Three waymarked trails through reedbeds and old clay pits where you can spot otters, kingfishers and bitterns from the hides.
This is a proper walk-it-off reserve rather than a play-and-picnic one. Three circular trails let you choose how long you've got: the Tadpole Trail is half an hour and fine with small legs, the Grebe Trail is an hour, and the Bittern Trail is the full two hours if you want to see the whole place and actually give the hides a chance to pay off. Birdwatching is the main event here, with otters and kingfishers on the list of things people come to spot, so it suits kids who like a bit of quiet and a pair of binoculars more than ones after climbing frames.
The reserve itself is free and open all the time, which is generous for somewhere with this much ground to cover. The Visitor Centre is the bit with a schedule, open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, and closed Mondays and Tuesdays, so don't turn up on a Monday expecting the shop or the loos to be open. There's a gift shop and refreshments there, plus picnic benches on the grass right outside if you've brought your own food.
Two free car parks make it easy to get to, though the gates on both close in the evening rather than staying open all night, so keep an eye on the time if you're there for a late one. Wheelchair access covers many of the paths and two of the hides, but some gates get closed when sheep are grazing, which is a fair enough reason but still a bit of a faff if that's the route you planned. One firm rule worth knowing before you set off: dogs aren't allowed anywhere on the reserve itself, only in the Visitor Centre, so this isn't a dog-walking loop.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Older kids keen on wildlife spotting and longer walks
- Parking
- Free parking at two car parks: Visitor Centre car park (open 9am-4:30pm or dusk if earlier) and Ness End Farm car park (gates open 8am
- Picnics
- Picnic benches on a grassy area immediately outside the Visitor Centre
- Wheelchairs
- Many paths suitable for wheelchairs except when closed gates present
- Dogs
- Are not permitted on this nature reserve
- Visitor Centre is shut Mondays and Tuesdays, though the reserve itself stays open
- Cycling isn't permitted within the reserve, so leave the bikes at the car park
- Car park gates lock at dusk or a set time, so don't linger too late
- Sheep grazing can mean some gates are closed, which affects wheelchair routes
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
The reserve is free to enter, at any time.
Do we need to book?
Not for a family visit, turn up when you like. Organised groups do need to fill in a form at least a month ahead.
How long should we plan for?
The shortest trail, Tadpole, takes about half an hour. The longest, Bittern, is a two-hour walk if you want to see the whole reserve.
What are the opening hours?
The reserve itself is open all the time. The Visitor Centre is Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, and shut Mondays and Tuesdays.
Is there parking?
Two free car parks, one at the Visitor Centre and one at Ness End Farm. Both have gates that lock in the evening or at dusk.
Can we bring the dog?
No, dogs aren't allowed on the reserve itself. They're welcome in the Visitor Centre only.
Is it wheelchair or buggy friendly?
Many of the paths are suitable, and two of the hides have disabled access. Some gates get closed when sheep are grazing the land, which can block a route.
Is there food on site?
The Visitor Centre has a gift shop and refreshments, and there are picnic benches on the grass just outside if you'd rather bring your own.
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