Brockholes Nature Reserve
Type:Nature Reserve
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1578 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1578 reviewsWhether it’s on the iconic floating isitor village or on the 250 acre nature reserve, Brockholes is full of nature moments just waiting for you to find. Located just off the M6, Brockholes is perfect for a family day out.
Explore the flagship, Lancashire Wildlife Trust nature reserve and you’ll see the wide variety of wildlife on offer. You can take a walk along the River Ribble, explore the ancient woodland and amble around the lakes while spotting a huge array of wildlife all year round.
There’s hides, paths and viewing points that have been specifically designed to allow you to get closer to nature and wildlife without disturbing it.
Brockholes Nature Reserve is home to two eating establishments, Kestrel Kitchen and Peckish. Kestrel Kitchen provides an indoor seating area for you to relax and recharge. Or if you prefer dining al fresco, Peckish, which is dedicated to Lancashire street food, provides an outdoor seating area for you to enjoy your refreshments with some truly spectacular views.
The spectacular floating visitor village plays host to an interactive welcome centre, a shop and the Guild Wheel cycle path which runs right through the nature reserve. So why not hop on your bike and pop down for a pit stop? There are plenty of bike racks and a huge car park for visitors from further afield.
Brockholes is owned and managed by the Lancashire Wildlife Trust. No direct government funding is recieved and each time you visit you’re helping to support vital conservation work on the reserve. Thank you for supporting your local wildlife trust.
Parking charge applies unless otherwise stated at £5.00 all day.
Brockholes is a dog free zone.
Ticket Type | Ticket Tariff |
---|---|
Free Admission | Free |
Car parking charges:
£5 all day parking.
These charges apply to all cars and minibuses every day, all day. Coaches are free.
Summer (1 Apr 2024 - 31 Oct 2024) | ||
---|---|---|
Day | Times | |
Monday - Sunday | 10:00 | - 17:00* |
Winter (1 Nov 2024 - 31 Mar 2025) | ||
---|---|---|
Day | Times | |
Monday - Sunday | 10:00 | - 16:00* |
* The gates to the reserve are open from 6:00 - 21:00 April to October and 6:00 - 19:00 November to March.
Dates and times marked with a '*' are provisional and may be subject to changeFrom Preston: At the roundabout of the M6 J31and A59 go straight over under the motorway signed A59 to Blackburn. Stay in the left hand lane. Just before the traffic lights, take the FIRST exit signed 'Brockholes Nature Reserve' heading north over the river (adjacent to the off-ramp slip road). Follow this road left, round doubling back and under the slip road bridge to the site entrance. From M6 North bound: As you come off the motorway get in the middle lane. At the roundabout turn right, signed A59 to Blackburn. Stay in the left hand lane. Just before the traffic lights, take the FIRST exit signed 'Brockholes Nature Reserve' heading north over the river (adjacent to the off-ramp slip road). Follow this road left, round doubling back and under the slip road bridge to the site entrance. From Samlesbury and south-bound off the M6: From Samlesbury - At the roundabout of the M6 J31and A59 you need to go all the way round the double roundabout as if you where going to head back along the A59 towards Samlesbury. As you come round the roundabout past the Tickle Trout Service Station stay in the left hand lane. Just before the traffic lights, take the FIRST exit signed 'Brockholes Nature Reserve' heading north over the river (adjacent to the off-ramp slip road). Follow this road left, round doubling back and under the slip road bridge to the site entrance. From M6 southbound: As you come off the motorway turn right at the roundabout towards Preston. Stay in the right hand lane and continue around the roundabout, As you come round the roundabout past the Tickle Trout Service Station stay in the left hand lane. Just before the traffic lights, take the FIRST exit signed 'Brockholes Nature Reserve' heading north over the river (adjacent to the off-ramp slip road). Follow this road left, round doubling back and under the slip road bridge to the site entrance.
Bus: Take the No. 59 Bus from Preston Bus station. Alight the bus at the Tickled Trout Hotel. From the bus stop walk towards the bridge where traffic is easier to see, cross over and turn LEFT to the end of the bridge. There is a farm road to the right, follow this short road to a metal gate, passing a sign for Brockholes Wood. Cross over the style at the side of the gate. Follow the metal fence on your right to the next gate and at the left side of the gate there is a gap onto a rough roadway. Remain on this roadway to the end the boundary is marked by another metal gate. To the right of the gate there is a style marked Ribblesway go over the style and turn left and you will see the next style to cross. Keep to the right and follow the wooden fence under the motorway bridges, and as the road bends you will see the entrance to Brockholes. This walk is not suitable for pushchairs or anyone that cannot climb a style. During the walk there is a possibility of seeing several species of birds and insects due to the close proximity of the river and the woods. By train: The nearest railway station to Brockholes is Preston.
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