This 7 acre (2.8 hectare) reserve includes the remnants of the once-worked Osier beds, native tree species and beds of phragmites reed mixed with sedge. Whether you are enjoying the peaceful setting, or photographing the wildlife, we hope you enjoy your visit.
Opening times
The island is open from 10am – 4pm on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays between April and October.
If you wish to visit the island at any other time, the key is available from One Leisure St Ives or the Norris Museum – you will need to pay a returnable deposit.
Directions to the island can be found in the information leaflet [PDF, 1.5MB].
Volunteering
There are plenty of volunteering opportunities at Holt Island Nature Reserve.
Huntingdonshire District Council runs monthly work parties on Fridays and Sundays when volunteers help the site ranger with outdoor practical tasks. This includes activities such as reed bed management, boardwalk maintenance and vegetation clearance. You will need to be reasonably fit and prepared to get wet and muddy!
Other volunteering opportunities include helping with school groups, which involves leading/helping with activities such as pond dipping and bird watching.
You can also help with wildlife surveys. People of all expertise are welcome and getting involved with surveys can be very valuable if you want to learn about the wildlife in your area. You don’t need to be an expert!
There are also opportunities to help fundraise for the Friends of Holt Island Nature Reserve which is the reserve’s Friends charity.
If you would like more information on volunteering at Holt Island then please contact our Community Volunteer Coordinator by email at Paxton.Pits@huntingdonshire.gov.uk, download an application form [DOCX, 63Kb] or pick up an application form from the Visitor Centre at Hinchingbrooke Country Park or Paxton Pits Nature Reserve.
