North Cave Wetlands
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Outdoors
BUGGY FRIENDLY
Yes
What it’s like
Five hides and a circular lake path where you can watch avocets, otters and water voles for free.
You walk the circular footpath around the lakes and wetlands, ducking into whichever of the five hides takes your fancy, and see what turns up. Avocets are the headline bird here, but otters, water voles, dragonflies and butterflies all get a mention too, so bring the binoculars if you have them and don't rush it.
It's free to get in, which is the main draw, though parking will cost you £3 for under two hours or £6 for longer, paid through your phone. YWT members park free, which is worth knowing if you're the sort who comes back often. The turret hide is the one to save for last if your legs are up to it, since it's two flights of steps with twelve in total, and not every hide is that easy to reach.
Give it half a day if you want to do it properly. The Little Butty Bus food van runs from 8am to 2.30pm but shuts on Mondays, so pack a picnic if that's your day, and there are picnic areas dotted about anyway. Paths are pushchair and wheelchair friendly for the most part, with three of the four main hides accessible and disabled parking on site.
Winter's the trickier season here. The grass paths can turn properly muddy, and some paths close altogether during bird breeding season, so it pays to check which bit of the reserve you're actually walking into before you set off in your good shoes.
What’s on here
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- £3 for less than two hours, £6 for longer periods, via Pay By Phone
- How long to allow
- Half day trip
- Wheelchairs
- Most paths accessible including three of four hides
- Getting there by bus or train
- Bus 55 from Hull stops at North Cave village, 15 minute walk from reserve
- Parking charges are being introduced from 17 August 2026, so check which side of that date you're visiting
- The turret hide involves two flights of steps, twelve in total
- Little Butty Bus food van shuts on Mondays
- Some paths close during bird breeding season
- YWT members park for free
Plan your visit
Is it free to visit?
Yes, entry to the wetlands is free. You just pay for parking.
How much is parking?
£3 for under two hours, £6 for longer, paid via Pay By Phone. Free if you're a YWT member.
How long should we plan for?
It's a half day trip if you want to walk the full circular path and take in a few hides.
Is there food on site?
The Little Butty Bus van is there from 8am to 2.30pm, but it's closed on Mondays. There are picnic areas if you'd rather bring your own.
Can we get there by bus?
Bus 55 from Hull stops in North Cave village, which is about a 15 minute walk from the reserve.
Is it buggy and wheelchair friendly?
Most of the paths are, and three of the four main hides are accessible too. The turret hide has two flights of steps though, twelve in total.
Do we need to book?
There's no booking needed, you just turn up.
Will it be muddy?
In winter the grass paths can get properly muddy, so decent footwear helps. Some paths also close during bird breeding season.
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