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

View on What3Words

warned.eaten.bogus

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 open 9am - 7pm in summer and 9am-5pm in winter.
Car parking donations welcomed.

Visitor Centre & Café

During Summer (from when the clocks go forward)
Monday to Friday: 10am to 5pm, Café closes at 4.30pm. Weekend: 9am to 6pm, Café closes at 5.00pm.

During Winter (from when the clocks go back)

We open at 9am and close at 4pm every day. Food (kitchen) stops at 3pm

From 1st March:

Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Café closes at 3:30 PM)
Weekend: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Café closes at 4:00 PM)

Picnic benches are available outside. Toilets are available (during centre opening times).

Centre is closed on Christmas Day.

We welcome well-behaved owners and their dogs in our visitor centre but please be considerate to those who are less confident around dogs.

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.

Species

Habitat

Contact us

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust

Contact number: 01777 858 245

Contact email: info@nottswt.co.uk

See Reserve's Twitter

See Reserve's Facebook

See Reserve's Flickr

Environmental designation

Local Wildlife Site (LWS)

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Idle Valley Nature Reserve map

Café

Enjoy a brew with a view!

Our café offers great food and drink with a gorgeous view over Belmoor Lake.

Dig in to a wide range of hot and cold foods and daily homemade specials. Perhaps indulge in a cream tea or a slice of one of our delicious cakes while you’re at it.

We offer vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options and pride ourselves on accommodating special dietary needs where possible.

View our menu