There shouldn’t be any barriers to nature, however as a charity things don’t always move at the pace we would like them to. And there are some sites with rough ground and steep edges where accessibility will always be an issue.
But for this years Disabled Access Day on March 16 we thought we would share some of the most accessible reserves for people with mobility issues and what you may expect to find there.
Summer Leys, Northamptonshire – Summer Leys is our most popular reserve for bird watching. It is home to some amazing wetland bird species with great white egret, glossy ibis, marsh harrier, redshank and lapwing all seen regularly in recent months. There is ample parking on the reserve (there is a charge for this car park for non members), there are wheelchair accessible bird hides, and hard paths.
Plan a visit at: www.wildlifebcn.org/summer-leys
Nene Wetlands, Northamptonshire – Nene Wetlands is accessible from the car park at the Rushden Lakes shopping centre. There is an all terrain tramper mobility scooter available to borrow from our visitor centre on the boardwalk at Rushden Lakes. There are plenty of hard paths and accessible viewing platforms, including one overlooking Delta Pit where we have recently reintroduced beavers.
Plan a visit at: www.wildlifebcn.org/nene-wetlands
The Great Fen, Cambridgeshire – the Great Fen covers a large area with mixed levels of accessibility. Start with Ramsey Heights where there is a tramper available and parking. By prior arrangement the tramper can be used at nearby Woodwalton Fen, a fascinating remnant of ancient fen home to countless species. It can get wet and muddy but is flat with no stiles or gates.
Plan a visit at: www.greatfen.org.uk
Trumpington Meadows, Cambridge – On the edge of Cambridge Trumpington Meadows is an open reserve with wildflower meadows full of life in summer, plenty of hard paths and a viewing platform over the pond with step free access. Parking is available at the nearby Park and Ride site and the reserve can also be accessed from the adjacent Byrons Pool reserve.
Plan a visit at: www.wildlifebcn.org/nature-reserves/trumpington-meadows
Thorpe Wood, Peterborough – in an urban setting this reserve is home to a range of woodland wildflowers including bluebells, wild garlic and wood anemone. There are hard paths and parking nearby which make it accessible for any visitor.
Plan a visit at: www.wildlifebcn.org/nature-reserves/thorpe-wood
Flitwick Moor, Bedfordshire – The beautiful atmospheric wet woodland on this site has a boardwalk running through it which makes it accessible all year round - while some woodlands suffer from muddy paths in winter and spring. Although the car park has now been closed, there is a radar gate next to the new barrier gate.
Plan a visit at: www.wildlifebcn.org/nature-reserves/flitwick-moor-folly-wood
Cambourne – winding around the residential areas of Cambourne, there are hard paths, good parking and easy access to all areas with no gates or stiles. With different habitats from woods and grasslands to a lake and orchard there’s lots of different species to see from marbled white butterflies in summer to large patches of cowslips, woodpeckers, dragonflies, skylarks and jays.
Plan a visit at: www.wildlifebcn.org/nature-reserves/cambourne
Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire – there are hard paths to get to much of the reserve but some wet areas that are more difficult. The main hide has ramp access and, radar gates are installed and there is car parking nearby. This former gravel pits site has woodland, wetlands and grassland, so a good mix of habitats to ensure you’ll see lots of different species.
Plan a visit at: www.wildlifebcn.org/nature-reserves/godmanchester-nature-reserve
If you have any questions about accessing our reserves, or you would like to report something that is causing an issue please email cambridgeshire@wildlifebcn.org, bedfordshire@wildlifebcn.org or northamptonshire@wildlifebcn.org and we will do our best to help