Just 30 minutes from Glasgow, bring the whole family for a wild day out in nature. Explore our trails, take on our Spring Super Spotter Scavenger Hunt, then enjoy a picnic or buy refreshments from our shop.
The visitor centre will be closed on December 1 and December 2 due to a fire at the old visitor centre, which occurred on Sunday.
Thankfully, nobody was hurt but staff will be attending to the damage and therefore unable to open the visitor centre.
The toilets, car park and trails remain open to visitors.
Just 30 minutes from Glasgow city centre by car or train, this wetland reserve is an ideal spot to get away from it all and enjoy some amazing wildlife.
As one of the few wetlands left in the west of Scotland, Lochwinnoch is the perfect place to watch Whooper Swans, Wigeon, Goldeneye and a wide variety of other ducks during winter months. In spring you won't want to miss the elaborate displays of the Great Crested Grebes, while the woodland is alive with wildlife all the year round.
Much of the conservation work we do at Lochwinnoch is to restore the reserve's wetland system to how it would have been more than 100 years ago, before agricultural pressures led to dramatic changes in this landscape. This involves creating new wetland areas, re-naturalising the area's hydrological systems, and reconnecting burns that were diverted.
Contactless card payments at machine. Charges apply at all times.
30 spaces, (of which 4 spaces are dedicated for shop customers) 3 Blue Badge spaces Spaces 20m from the visitor centre. Gravel with uneven surface due to frequently developing potholes.
Bicycle racks are situated close to the visitor centre entrance. No lighting. No formal drop-off point. No height restriction.
There is one accessible toilet, situated 5 meters from the entrance to the visitor centre.
Baby changing facilities available in accessible toilet, situated 5 meters from the entrance to the visitor centre.
Nature trails access: Three partly-signposted trails (two 400m trails + one 1.5km trail), all flat with no significant inclines. Main trail (1.5km long) is an all-access trail. All prone to flooding.
Car park is gravel with uneven surface due to frequently developing potholes.
Nature trails access: Three partly-signposted trails (two 400m trails + one 1.5km trail), all flat with no significant inclines. Main trail (1.5km long) is an all-access trail.
All prone to flooding after heavy rain.
4 picnic benches, 2 of which have single wheelchair space.
Toilets are situated 5 meters from the entrance to the visitor centre.
Dogs are allowed on all footpaths in line with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Well behaved dogs are welcome within the visitor centre. Please keep dogs at heel or on a lead to protect wildlife.
Assistance Dogs welcome in all parts of the reserve.
Discover exciting events all year at Lochwinnoch. Join us for our guided walks inluding our biofluorescence night walks and more!
We know that Lochwinnoch is a special place for many. If you or your loved one have shared happy memories there, you can make a donation to the reserve on our dedication page. It can be in celebration or in memory, and you can post an image along with your message.
Holidaycottages.co.uk is working with the RSPB to restore UK woodland for future generations to enjoy. Every booking with Holidaycottages.co.uk supports woodland restoration projects at key RSPB reserves around the country, protecting the wildlife that makes the UK an extraordinary place for a holiday.
New to Holidaycottages.co.uk portfolio of handpicked self-catering holiday cottages is the Showcase Collection: Near RSPB Reserves. At these extraordinary homes, immerse yourself in the diverse landscapes of RSPB reserves and get up close to some of the UK’s most cherished native wildlife.