Josh Hellon
Summer Leys Visitor Centre
Megan Owen
Megan Owen
Megan Owen
The visitor centre is now CLOSED and will not be reopening in spring. We are shifting our focus and limited resources where we will have the most impact, which will still include running events and engagement activities on the reserve.
We have unfortunately had to close our compost toilets on site. We have a temporary portaloo available for use at organised events but it will be locked outside of this with no public access.
Find out more information about the reserve and its wildlife on our reserve page. Scroll down this page for our upcoming events!
Opening Times
The visitor centre is now CLOSED and will not be reopening in spring. We are shifting our focus and limited resources where we will have the most impact, which will still include running events and engagement activities on the reserve. Please scroll down this page to take a look at upcoming events!
We have unfortunately had to close our compost toilets on site. We have a temporary portaloo available for use at organised events but it will be locked outside of this with no public access.
Facilities & accessibility
- Toilets - We have unfortunately had to close our compost toilets on site. We have a temporary portaloo available for use at organised events but it will be locked outside of this with no public access
- Picnic benches
- Disabled parking
- Accessible paths- please see below for info
- Car parking machine is card payments only. £4 for 4 hours or £6 for the full day.
The majority of the reserve is on gravel paths which are wheelchair and pushchair friendly. There is one grass section at Kim's Corner, which can get muddy depending on recent weather. There are kissing gates on the reserve which can be opened using a universal radar key. Radar keys can be purchased for personal use here, and these will work on many disabled toilets and gates across the country.
If you have any other questions regarding accessibility please email summerleys@wildlifebcn.org.
Car Parking
Car park off Hardwater Road to Wollaston. Car park open 05:00-23:00.
Car parking charges will apply and Wildlife Trust BCN members will need to register their vehicle to park for free (please allow 2-3 business days for your request to be processed). £4 for 4 hours or £6 for the full day.
Please note the machine is CARD PAYMENTS ONLY.
Alternatively, parking payments can be made using the mobile phone app Sippi. Further information about the app can be found here: https://sippi.app/
Schools and Community Groups
Engaging with and inspiring the next generation is a big part of our work at Summer Leys and we have a designated education area to allow us to cater for groups.
We are able to offer a range of activities and programmes tailored to different age groups, providing students with the opportunity to explore and and learn about some of our wonderful wildlife. We are also able to offer some outreach opportunities including school assemblies and talks.
If you are interested in an assembly or bringing a group to Summer Leys and would like more information on these programmes or would like to discuss other options, please contact us at summerleys@wildlifebcn.org.
Volunteering
We are currently not recruiting for visitor centre volunteers. For other volunteer opportunities available please visit here.
Contact Us
Summer Leys Visitor Centre, Hardwater Road, Wollaston, Wellingborough, NN29 7TD.
Events at Summer Leys
Robin (Erithacus rubecula) and blue tit (Parus caeruleus) adult perched in winter - Mark Hamblin/2020VISION
Shop for wildlife
We have some great gifts for nature enthusiasts in stock at the Nene Wetlands visitor centre, including a range of fabulous nest box and wildlife cameras to help you watch wildlife at home, den kits for kids and gift sets for the rest of the family. There are also some great bargains to be had in our clearance sale.
You can also shop from home at our new-look online shop, run by the Nene Wetlands team.
Every sale helps us to look after local wildlife and wild places.
