The nature reserve is open to visitors at all times.
Some of the trails and public footpaths are suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs and can be accessed using a Radar key, but other sections have squeeze-gates, steps and stiles. Please speak to a ranger or volunteer for advice about routes and weather conditions.
Parking
The car park is next to the Visitor Centre and holds around 40 vehicles. Coaches need to book in advance.
Visitor centre
The Visitor Centre is open 10am to 4pm every day, subject to volunteer availability. The toilets are open daily 10am to 4pm. In the Visitor Centre, drinks and snacks, ice creams, leaflets, wildlife greetings cards, bird food, bird feeders and second-hand books are available to purchase.
Before you visit it’s worth checking that we are open by for looking at updates on Facebook or the Paxton Pits website. Or you can telephone the Visitor Centre on 01480 406795.
In the centre you can also find:
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a range of light refreshments
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an up-to-date sightings book – feel free to call in at the end of your visit and tell us what you’ve seen
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a viewing window of the feeding station and the meadow
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bird food and feeders, greetings cards, nature reserve honey (when available) and second-hand books for sale.
Toilets
Toilets are located at the Visitor Centre and are open daily between 10am and 4pm.
Disabled access
There is disabled parking in the car park and wheelchair access to the Visitor Centre and toilets. There is also one disabled toilet. The Heron and Meadow Trails are suitable for wheelchairs via Radar gates (a Radar Key is required).
The paths can become muddy during wet weather but the Heron Trail is hard surface most of the way round so is often a preferred route for wheelchairs. Radar keys are sold in the Visitor Centre.
There is a ‘Tramper’ electric powered wheelchair which you can book to use during Visitor Centre opening hours. You will need to be shown how to use it before you borrow it for the first time so please contact the rangers to arrange this.