![Swans flying across a lake in front of a building](/sites/default/files/styles/node_hero_default/public/2023-07/IVNR%20Belmoor%20Lake%20centre%20with%20swans%20flying%20cpt%20Sophie%20Bell-2.jpg?h=cef3aa48&itok=q4Oa1fWK)
© Sophie Bell
![building on a lake](/sites/default/files/styles/node_hero_default/public/2023-07/Idle%20Valley%20centre%20view%20across%20lake%20cpt%20Sophie%20Bell%20%281%29.jpg?h=f9515182&itok=wFy-rayx)
© Sophie Bell
![lake with trees](/sites/default/files/styles/node_hero_default/public/2023-07/IVNR%20view%20from%20centre%20cpt%20Sophie%20Bell-3.jpg?h=70031421&itok=Xsa84U1S)
© Sophie Bell
![Idle Valley Rural Learning Centre Notts WT cpt Tim Sexton](/sites/default/files/styles/node_hero_default/public/2018-07/Idel%20Valley%20Rural%20Learning%20Centre%20Notts%20WT%20cpt%20Tim%20Sexton.jpg?h=16c24637&itok=AO8A-HEw)
© Tim Sexton
![Lake near the beaver area at Idle Valley](/sites/default/files/styles/node_hero_default/public/2021-11/2021%20NWT-NTU%20Beaver%20release-147.jpg?h=8d250c0c&itok=FTrQTRYz)
Idle Valley Nature Reserve © Jim Connolly Photography
![New treehouse at Idle Valley Nature Reserve](/sites/default/files/styles/node_hero_default/public/2021-07/MicrosoftTeams-image%20%2822%29.png?h=71976bb4&itok=3SBGHxor)
![Beaver swimming](/sites/default/files/styles/node_hero_default/public/2021-11/Beaver%20Release%20Credit%20Hattie%20Lavender%20_%20NWT-15.jpg?h=0775493e&itok=PZ7JxWPY)
Photo © Hattie Lavender
![Little Ringed Plover NottsWT cpt John Smith](/sites/default/files/styles/node_hero_default/public/2018-05/Little%20Ringed%20Plover%20NottsWT%20cpt%20John%20Smith.jpg?h=cb604099&itok=ghOGQG86)
© John Smith
![Cowslip and dew-soaked grass as a woman is birdwatching at Idle Valley Nature Reserve Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust](/sites/default/files/styles/node_hero_default/public/third_light/IMG_6289_0.jpg?h=5f29f7b4&itok=aCCKQUfj)
Tom Hibbert
![Short Eared Owl Mike Vickers Idle Valley](/sites/default/files/styles/node_hero_default/public/2018-11/Short-eared%20Owl%20at%20Idle%20-%20Tiln%20North%209%202018%20%20NottsWT%20cpt%20Mike%20Vickers.jpg?h=8ce66f29&itok=zjuKR5a3)
Short Eared Owl at Idle Valley - Mike Vickers
Idle Valley
Location
Know before you go
Dogs
Please keep dogs on leads near sheep and cattle on site.
When to visit
Opening times
Car park: 9am-7pmVisitor Centre and Café:
Monday to Sunday (Daily) 9am-4pm – Café closes at 3:30pm
Centre is closed Christmas Day
Best time to visit
All year roundAbout 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.