Idle Valley

Swans flying across a lake in front of a building

© Sophie Bell

building on a lake

© Sophie Bell

lake with trees

© Sophie Bell

Idle Valley Rural Learning Centre Notts WT cpt Tim Sexton

© Tim Sexton

Lake near the beaver area at Idle Valley

Idle Valley Nature Reserve © Jim Connolly Photography

New treehouse at Idle Valley Nature Reserve
Beaver swimming

Photo © Hattie Lavender

Little Ringed Plover NottsWT cpt John Smith

 © 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 Mike Vickers Idle Valley

Short Eared Owl at Idle Valley - Mike Vickers

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

Location

North Road
Retford
Nottinghamshire
DN22 8RQ

View on What3Words

A static map of Idle Valley

Know before you go

Size
375 hectares
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Entry fee

Free access
P

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

Access to the reserve is open daily 9-7pm.

The visitor centre shop and cafe is open for snacks and drinks. 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.

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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

Reserve: 9am-7pm

Car park: 9am-5pm

Nature Centre and Café:

During Winter (from when the clocks go back):
Monday to Sunday (Daily) 9am-4pm – Café closes at 3:30pm

During Summer (from when the clocks go forward):
Monday to Sunday (Daily) 9am-5pm – Café closes at 4:30pm

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.

Contact us

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust
Contact number: 01777 858 245
Contact email: info@nottswt.co.uk

Environmental designation

Local Wildlife Site (LWS)
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
Beaver swimming

Photo © Hattie Lavender

Beavers are back!

After being absent for over 400, beavers have been reintroduced to Nottinghamshire at Idle Valley Nature Reserve.

Learn more

Upcoming Events at Idle