Swans flying across a lake in front of a building

Idle Valley Rural Learning Centre Notts WT cpt Tim Sexton

Lake near the beaver area at Idle Valley

Idle Valley Nature Reserve © Jim Connolly Photography

New treehouse at Idle Valley Nature Reserve

Photo © Hattie Lavender

Little Ringed Plover NottsWT cpt John Smith

Cowslip and dew-soaked grass as a woman is birdwatching at Idle Valley Nature Reserve Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust

Tom Hibbert

Short Eared Owl at Idle Valley - Mike Vickers

Idle Valley

One of the largest sites for nature conservation in the East Midlands

Location

North Road

Retford

Nottinghamshire

DN22 8RQ

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Know before you go

Size

375 hectares

Entry fee

Free access

Parking information

£3 donation

Bicycle parking

Yes

Grazing animals

Rare breed cattle and sheep can be seen in various areas around the reserve throughout the year. Please keep to paths and keep dogs on leads near them.

Walking trails

There are 4 designated walking routes.

Access

The visitor centre shop and café is open for snacks and drinks, and toilets are available. (During centre opening hours, see below).

There is disabled parking onsite and many of the trails around the reserve are suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Contact the Trust for more information.

Dogs

On a lead

Please keep dogs on leads near sheep and cattle on site.

Facilities

Visitor centre

Toilets

Shop

Cafe/refreshments

Picnic area

Accessible toilet

Baby changing facilities

Outdoor play area

Disabled parking

Accessible trails

When to visit

Opening times

Car park: 9am-7pm

Visitor Centre and Café:

Monday to Sunday (Daily) 9am-3pm – Café closes at 2:55pm (Kitchen closes 2.30pm)

Centre is closed Christmas Day

Best time to visit

All year round

About the reserve

This reserve consists of a beautiful 375ha network of lakes, wetland, grassland and scrub. It is home to a diverse range of wildlife and is recognised as one of the richest birding sites in the region. Look out for birds such as gadwall and little grebe in winter and breeding wading birds including little ringed plover and redshank in spring and summer. The Idle Valley Rural Learning Centre is a high quality educational facility based at the south end of the site and is a venue for a range of training courses and events.