The Nature Discovery Centre
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Outdoors
BUGGY FRIENDLY
Yes
What it’s like
Free lakeside reserve for feeding ducks, exploring an adventure playground and walking signposted trails around the water.
This is a lake and nature reserve rather than an aquarium in the traditional sense, and the appeal is all outdoors. Kids feed the ducks, have a go on the adventure playground and follow signposted routes around the water, with the Red Trail built to suit both wheelchairs and pushchairs. There's also a Nature Nook Play Café running sensory play, a creative station and a story corner, which is worth timing your visit around if you've got a younger one who needs more than a walk to hold their attention.
Entry is free, which is rare for a day out like this and makes it an easy one to slot into a morning without weighing up whether it's worth the money. The lakeside café does hot and cold refreshments, and picnics are allowed if you'd rather bring your own and make a longer stop of it. Dogs are welcome on the lead around the reserve and in the café, though they're not allowed into the Nature Nook Play Café sessions or the lake itself.
The catch is the ground. Paths can get muddy after rain, so wellies or old trainers are the sensible choice even though it's generally fine for buggies and wheelchairs. There's also a free mobility Tramper for hire on a suggested £5 donation, though anyone using it needs a training session first and must be with someone over 16.
It's open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, and closed Mondays outside school holidays. Worth checking which day you're planning around if a Monday is the only day that works for you. The car park locks at dusk year round, so don't linger too long over a sunset walk by the lake.
Facilities
Need to know
- Food
- Lakeside café with hot and cold refreshments
- Picnics
- Picnic facilities on site
- Wheelchairs
- Wheelchair accessible centre. Red Trail around lake suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs
- Dogs
- Welcome on lead in café, shop and around reserve
- Paths can get muddy after rain, wellies are a good shout
- Car park locks at dusk every day of the year
- The mobility Tramper is free to use with a suggested £5 donation, but needs a quick training session first
- Nature Nook Play Café sessions don't allow dogs, even though the rest of the site does
Plan your visit
Is it free to visit?
Yes, entry is free. The café and gift shop are extra if you want them.
Do we need to book?
Booking is mentioned, you can turn up during opening hours.
What are the opening hours?
Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Mondays are closed except during school holidays.
Is it buggy and wheelchair friendly?
The Red Trail around the lake suits both, and there's a wheelchair accessible centre too. Paths can get muddy in wet weather though, so it's not always a smooth ride.
Can we bring the dog?
Dogs on a lead are welcome in the café, shop and around the reserve, but they can't go into the Nature Nook Play Café sessions or the lake.
What is the Nature Nook Play Café?
A session with play, sensory activities, a creative station and a story corner, on top of the outdoor bits.
Is there food on site?
There's a lakeside café for hot and cold drinks and snacks, and picnics are allowed if you'd rather bring your own.
Is there parking?
There's a car park, but it locks at dusk year round so don't plan a late finish.
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