Steven Cheshire

Steven Cheshire

WildNet - Jon Hawkins - Surrey Hills Photography

Brandon Marsh

As of Tuesday 5th January 2021, Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve is now closed to all visitors until further notice.

Please be aware that Brandon Marsh is currently closed until further notice.

Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve is set in 220 acres and features a wide variety of large pools, bird hides, woodland walks and wildflower meadows.

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

Brandon Lane

Coventry

CV3 3GW

OS Map Reference

SP 386 761

Know before you go

Size

92 hectares

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 available

Grazing animals

Walking 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. Keep scrolling to download a map or pick up a copy from the visitor centre during opening hours.

Access

Relatively flat and wheelchair-friendly, with some wheelchair accessible paths. Some areas can be muddy.

Dogs

Guide dogs only

Assistance dogs only

Facilities

Visitor centre

Bird hides

Toilets

Shop

Cafe/refreshments

Picnic area

Accessible toilet

Baby changing facilities

Wifi

When to visit

Opening times

After the Prime Minister’s announcement on 4th January 2021 regarding the new national lockdown, Brandon Marsh visitor centre and nature reserve closed on Tuesday 5th January 2021, until further notice. The latest government guidance states that you can only leave your home to exercise, and not for the purpose of recreation or leisure. This should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area. This is not a decision we have taken lightly - we have reviewed the new regulations in detail and consulted with Wildlife Trusts and DEFRA nationally. Having done so, it is clear that we are unfortunately not able to keep Brandon Marsh open at this time. This is a complete site closure which also includes members’ access.

Please scroll down for further details.

Best time to visit

Currently closed

About 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 now asking to see membership cards when you enter Brandon Marsh, so we can monitor visitor flow. Just ask staff for further details. Thanks for your co-operation!

Find out more about 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

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

Please share your experience of Brandon Marsh Nature Centre with others by posting your feedback on TripAdvisor.

Contact us

Erin Green

Contact number: 024 7630 2912

Contact email: enquiries@wkwt.org.uk

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Environmental designation

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Location map

As with the first lockdown in March 2020, the Trust must play its part in limiting opportunities for transmission of COVID-19 and protecting the NHS – we thank you for your understanding.

We understand the importance of accessing green spaces during these difficult times and are proud to manage 65 nature reserves across Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull. These sites provide opportunities for people to get their exercise and take that time out from the daily challenges currently faced.

Please follow government regulations by reducing your travel and staying local. Visit the reserves page on our website to enter your postcode and find your nearest nature reserve. Please enjoy these reserves responsibly, following government guidance (which you can find here) and staying safe.

As ever thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to welcoming you back to Brandon Marsh when it is safe to do so.