Steven Cheshire
Steven Cheshire
WildNet - Jon Hawkins - Surrey Hills Photography
Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve reopens on the 14th of July! Restrictions do apply, so please click this link to read full details and to book your tickets.
This former quarry has been transformed into a European Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) - home to a number of iconic species including kingfisher, cuckoos and otter. The reserve is also frequented by visiting osprey, pied flycatcher and other rare migratory species.
The Visitor Centre is a great place to start your visit, and includes a tea room and well-stocked gift shop. The accessible network of paths and boardwalks allow visitors to explore pools, reedbeds and woodlands and get closer to nature.
Location
OS Map Reference
SP 386 761
Know before you go
Entry fee
Adults - £3.50 Concessions - £2.50 Children (under 4’s free) - £2.00 Family (2 adults up to 3 children) - £9.00, free to Wildlife Trust members with a valid membership card.Parking information
Car park availableGrazing animals
NoWalking trails
Access outside visitor centre opening times for members only. Some paths are accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs, such as the Kingfisher Trail, which takes 40 minutes and the Woodpecker Trail, which takes 20 minutes.The reserve can get muddy and some areas are known to flood.
Access
Relatively flat and wheelchair-friendly, with some wheelchair accessible paths. Some areas can be muddy.
Dogs
Facilities
When to visit
Opening times
Visitor CentreSpring/Summer, 1st April-30th September
Mon to Fri: 9.30 am - 4.30pm
Weekends: 10.00 am - 4.30pm
Autumn/Winter, 1st October-31st March
Mon to Fri: 9.30 am - 4.00pm
Weekends: 10.00 am - 4.00pm
Badgers Tearoom
All week: 10.00am to 4.00pm
Food served until 3:30pm
Drinks served until 3:45pm
Coach Groups
Brandon Marsh can be very busy when events are taking place or when we have school visits. We recommend that you contact us at least 48 hours prior to your visit to ensure there is parking available for your bus or coach.
Best time to visit
All year roundAbout the reserve
The nature reserve
Brandon Marsh is well known for the variety and quality of its pools, reedbeds, grassland and woodland. The large pools were created by gravel extraction and attract a huge variety of birds and other wildlife. There are nine hides throughout the reserve where you can get up close to the resident wildlife.
Become a member and enjoy free entry all year round! We’re always making improvements, especially in 2020 as we celebrate 50 years. We're now asking to see membership cards when you enter Brandon Marsh, so we can monitor visitor flow and improve your experience. Just ask staff for further details. Thanks for your co-operation!
Find out more about Wildlife Trust membership here
What can I do?
- Listen for birdsong
- Bird watch from our hides
- Build a den in the woods
- Enjoy tea and cake in the tea room
- Seek out fungi
- Become a minibeast detective
- Watch the serene swans
- Hold a birthday party
Something to look for in every season
- Spring spotter sheet
- Summer flowers or Summer woodland spotter sheet
- Autumn spotter sheet
- Winter woodland spotter sheet
The Visitor Centre
Relax in our peaceful orchard, climb inside a harvest mouse's nest in Mouse Manor, watch for your favourite birds from one of our hides and explore the education and sensory gardens.
Younger children can hunt for hidden plaques on the brass rubbing trail to create colourful pictures on their rubbing sheet. Then it's off to the Nature Trails to explore the wildlife habitats of the nature reserve.
If you're a first-time visitor, remember to ask at reception for a map!
Events
We run a fantastic range of events, from children's pond dipping to art exhibitions, guided walks, wildlife courses and Christmas crafts for adults. Learn a new skill like bushcraft or discover how to identify birds. Book your tickets online!
Gift Shop
Well-stocked with wildlife books, animal homes, bird seed, bird feeders and an extensive range of gifts and confectionery.
Badgers Tearoom
Watch the birds on our busy feeders and live nestcams as you enjoy a cup of tea and a slice of cake in Badgers Tearoom. The tearoom serves hot and cold drinks, fresh cakes, salads, paninis and jacket potatoes. If you drop by before 11:45am you can enjoy the famous full breakfast!
The Education Centre
Our purpose-built classroom welcomes school visits for a variety of curriculum-related activities. Outside we have a lovely education garden, with a mud kitchen for messy play. We also have children's activities during the school holidays, and host Really Wild Birthday Parties.
Hosting a meeting?
Book our barn or other rooms for your meeting or conference! Find out more about our room rates and facilities available.
Share Your Experience
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Contact us
Environmental designation
Location map
Steven Cheshire
Brandon Path - Steven Cheshire (WWT)
Louise Barrack
Louise Barrack
Vicky Page
We're celebrating 5 years of Certificates of Excellence on Trip Advisor!