Skip to content
Huddlepin
OutdoorsFree entry

The Lancashire Wildlife Trust

Preston
Courtesy of The Lancashire Wildlife Trust

ENTRY

Free

SETTING

Outdoors

BUGGY FRIENDLY

Yes

What it’s like

Free wildlife reserve with lake and woodland trails, an adventure playground, and a floating visitor village to explore near Preston.

There's no entry fee here, which makes it an easy one to say yes to on a whim. The draw is the walking trails around the lakes, woodland and riverside, where the site says you might spot roe deer, kingfishers or even ospreys if you're patient and quiet. There's an adventure playground too, plus picnic areas with swings and things to climb and balance on, so a morning can easily turn into an all-day visit without anyone getting bored.

Younger children will get the most out of the playground and the picnic spots, while older kids and the grown-ups will want the longer trails, especially if you fancy your chances of a kingfisher sighting. Wellies are worth packing whatever the season, as the reserve is prone to muddy, soggy paths, and there are no toilets out on the trails themselves, only back at the Visitor Village and Welcome Centre, both open 10am to 4pm.

Parking is £6 for the day, and while the entry itself is free, that fee is what keeps the reserve running, so it doesn't feel like too bad a trade. The car park can fill up in summer with access restrictions kicking in on the busiest days, so an early start helps. There's a café on site too, open seven days a week during Lancashire school holidays, and picnic benches if you'd rather bring your own food.

One thing to flag: dogs aren't allowed anywhere at Brockholes, to protect the ground-nesting birds and stop invasive plants spreading. There are other dog-friendly reserves nearby if you need to bring the family pet along on the same trip, just not this one.

What’s on here

Facilities

Accessible toilet
Blue badge parking
Café
Gift shop
Outdoor play
Parking
Picnic area
Pushchair friendly
Toilets
Wheelchair accessible

Need to know

Parking
£6 all day in main car park. 16 accessible spaces 125 metres from Visitor Village
Picnics
Allowed with picnic benches available on site
Pushchairs
Accessible for smaller pushchairs on kissing gates
Wheelchairs
Most footpaths level and surfaced
Dogs
Not allowed at Brockholes to protect rare wildlife and prevent spread of invasive plants
  • Wellies are worth it, the paths get muddy year round
  • No toilets out on the trails, only at the Visitor Village and Welcome Centre
  • Larger pushchairs and mobility vehicles need a gate key, £10 refundable deposit
  • Feeding the birds is discouraged, gulls prey on the chicks of species breeding there

Plan your visit

Do we need to pay to get in?

No entry fee, but the car park is £6 for the day. That money goes straight back into looking after the reserve.

Do we need to book to visit?

Just turn up. Booking is only needed for specific events, not for a regular day out.

Is it buggy friendly?

Smaller pushchairs manage the kissing gates fine. Larger ones need the vehicle access gates, which need a key with a £10 refundable deposit.

Are there toilets on the trails?

Not out on the reserve itself. Toilets are back at the Visitor Village and Welcome Centre.

Can we bring a picnic?

Picnic benches are dotted around the site if you'd rather not use the café.

Are dogs allowed?

Dogs aren't permitted anywhere at Brockholes, to protect the wildlife that breeds there. There are other dog-friendly reserves nearby.

What if the car park is full?

It can reach capacity in summer, and access restrictions kick in when it does. Getting there early on a sunny day is the safer bet.

Is the site accessible for wheelchairs?

Most footpaths are level and surfaced, there are 16 accessible parking spaces near the Visitor Village, and adapted toilets there too.

What about food?

There's a café on site open 10am to 4pm, and it runs seven days a week during Lancashire school holidays.

Featured in 3 Huddlepin lists

32HUDDLEPIN LISTFree days outBrilliant days out that don't cost a penny to get in.28HUDDLEPIN LISTFarms & animalsLambs, llamas, penguins and everything you can feed or stroke.17HUDDLEPIN LISTParks & natureCountry parks, woods, lakes and trails for burning off energy.

See all Country Parks & Nature Reserves in Preston · Things to do in Preston

MAKE A DAY OF IT

While you’re there

King's Dance Academy

King's Dance Academy

1.4 mi · from £5.50

Samlesbury Hall

Samlesbury Hall

1.9 mi · Free

Person's hand gripping a blue climbing hold on an indoor rock climbing wall with red and white panels.

PrestonWall Climbing Centre

2.1 mi · from £3