At a glance
- Now
- Open nowUntil 23:59
- Age
- Babies, Toddlers, Children, Teenagers
- Price
- Free
More about prices
Entry to the reserve and visitor centre is free. Non-members are asked for a £2.50 parking donation. Bird-hide day passes cost £3.
- Location
- Houghton-le-Spring
View image credit
Credit: Durham Wildlife Trust; photographer not credited on source page
More to know
- Indoors or outdoors
- Outdoors
- Visit length
- Half a day, Full day
Price band: Free · How we use price bands
These are broad planning guides for a typical visit, not exact prices. Check the venue before travelling.
- Free
- No regular admission fee. Parking, donations, travel or optional activities may still cost extra.
- Low
- Usually a small charge or donation, broadly up to £10 per person.
- Medium
- A typical paid visit, broadly around £10–£25 per person or a moderate family ticket.
- High
- Usually a larger day-out cost, broadly over £25 per person or for a family ticket.
About this activity
A free 100-hectare wildlife reserve where former opencast land has become lakes, wetlands, woodland and wildflower meadows. Families get accessible walking routes, wildlife hides, picnic spots and a nature-themed WildPlay area, plus a visitor centre, café, toilets and baby-changing facilities. The surfaced paths make it particularly useful with pushchairs, while longer trails and wildlife spotting can easily stretch the visit into a half day or more.
Nature reserveGrounds · Current schedule
- monday
- 00:00–23:59
- tuesday
- 00:00–23:59
- wednesday
- 00:00–23:59
- thursday
- 00:00–23:59
- friday
- 00:00–23:59
- saturday
- 00:00–23:59
- sunday
- 00:00–23:59
The reserve is accessible on foot 24/7/365.
Opening times can change. Check the venue website before travelling.
Check venue websitePlan your visit
Location
Mallard Way, Houghton-le-Spring, DH4 6PUKeep exploring
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