What's here? at Fairburn Ings
Available on site
The car park has 98 spaces, with six Blue Badge spaces. Bicycle racks are available. Blue badge spaces, 100m from the Visitor Centre. No formal drop-off point. Tarmac in the car park and loose gravel elsewhere.
There are no height restrictions. Please be respectful of other visitor access, our team and our neighbours by not parking on the road, verges or in gateways, as it causes an obstruction for residents and emergency services.
The Visitor Centre has an accessible toilet located on the ground floor. The building is raised due to the site flooding but ramp access is available.
The unisex accessible toilet has one toilet, sink and a fold down baby changing table that can be used from a seated position. There are both horizontal and vertical hand rails and colour contrast on critical surfaces. Push buttons on the sink. Emergency alarm cord.
Baby changing facilities are located in a separate toilet block just next to the visitor centre entrance.
The reserve is pushchair and wheelchair friendly. The Discovery Trail is 0.3 miles long (500m). Allow around 10 minutes to complete this trail. Look for grey herons and lapwings. This route is great for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
The reserve is pushchair and wheelchair friendly. The Discovery Trail is 0.3 miles long (500m). Allow around 10 minutes to complete this trail. Look for grey herons and lapwings. This route is great for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
The toilets are located in a separate toilet block just next to our visitor centre entrance.
Our cosy visitor centre houses our shop and refreshments service. Our friendly team are on-hand to welcome you on arrival. Seven steps with handrails or a one in 12 ramp.
Assisted doors. Step-free, level access throughout. Non-slip vinyl floor. Natural and artificial lighting. A magnifying glass, pen and pad of paper are available at the counter. Staff available to assist.
Refreshments: available daily 10am-5pm, 1 March-31 October. 10am-4pm, 1 November-28 February. Drinks machine and fridges holding cold drinks that can be accessed from a seated position. The catering area is self-service; however, staff can assist on request.
Our wildlife watching hides and viewpoints are a great place to spot the special wildlife here and offer outstanding views over Fairburn Ings. We currently have three hides and two viewpoints. Steps or ramps (1 in 12 gradient) provided at all viewing structures. Level entry to all hides. All viewing points have fixed bench seats.
Download our trail map, to help you plan your visit.
Our reserve has over 9km of trails and 5 signposted trails to help you explore this amazing landscape and the wildlife that calls it home. There is a mix of different types of paths, that are both flat and undulating, where walks can be enjoyed.
Usually width for two wheelchairs to pass except some boardwalks. Four RADAR-key operated kissing gates. A spare RADAR key can be borrowed from the Visitor Centre. Regular seating and rest points. The Discovery trail is 0.3 miles long, flat with firm gravel and boardwalk surfaces. The Riverbank trail is approximately 2 miles long, linear (4 miles total to return to the visitor centre), undulating, more than 1 in 12 gradient in places with an uneven gravel/mud surface.
There are two RADAR gates, one at either end of Cut lane. The Lin Dike Link trail is approximately 2 miles long, has a steep hill at the start with a gradient over 1:12 for a distance of 200 m. The path is gravel and undulating in places. It can become wet in winter. The Arrow Lane trail is 1.2 miles long.
The path is gravel and uneven in places. It can become wet in winter. It is not suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs or mobility scooters The Roy Taylor trail is 1.5 miles long, has two steep hills at the start with a gradient over 1;12 for a distance of 200m approximately each. The path is gravel and uneven in places.
Our family-friendly play area is open daily. The entrance is located towards the far end of the Picnic Area. Go wild on our nature-inspired play equipment including our den building and natural play areas and our climbing wall and tower.
You are welcome to bring a picnic with you to enjoy on your visit. There are six picnic tables with spaces for a wheelchair-user in the picnic area, plus a small wooden shelter with benches. Another six picnic benches outside Visitor Centre. Help keep this place safe and special for wildlife and people by taking your litter home with you.
Our popular RSPB binoculars are available to hire on your visit:
- £3 RSPB Puffin Juniors
- £5 RSPB Puffins
- £7 RSPB Avocets
Binocular hire is available daily from 10am, to be returned by visitor centre closing time. Last hire is an hour before closing.
Our shop is open daily, and our friendly team are on hand to serve and advise you.
Not available on site
BBQs are a fire risk, endangering other people and the precious wildlife and habitats here. They are not allowed on the reserve at any time.
Restrictions
Dogs are welcome on the public footpaths and bridleways around the reserve. Please keep to the designated rights of way only.
Dog water bowls are available outside the visitor centre.
Sorry, dogs aren’t permitted inside the visitor centre and shop other than assistance dogs.
Please keep your dog on a short lead and under control at all times due to the sensitive wildlife, habitats and livestock here. Even if dogs are very well behaved, wildlife and livestock can easily become startled by a loose dog they perceive as a predator.
Disturbing wildlife does more than simply causing it to move away – it uses up their energy, reducing their chance of survival no matter the season.
Thank you for protecting the special wildlife here by keeping your dog on a lead and under control.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all parts of the reserve.
Use of personal or commercial drones on or over RSPB-owned property is not permitted unless specifically granted by the site manager for relevant use.