Address: Preston New Rd, Samlesbury, Preston PR5 0AG, United Kingdom
Phone: +441772872000
Rating: 4.5
based on 475 reviews.
Visitor Experience
Pros:
"A really unusual unique place well worth a visit."
"This is a place of beauty and tranquility, with a fantastic diversity of avian life and wildlife."
"The nature walk was beautiful.....lots for the kids to do too. Lots of little paths that twist and turn."
"Fabulous day out. We had fun following the challenge 2 walk, which had stunning views of the river."
"The location and view though is spectacular."
"Brilliant afternoon spent with my son. Started with lunch which was really tasty."
"A fabulous orienteering trail with views over the river and lakes. A brilliant play area with zip wire."
Cons:
"The only downside is the noise of the traffic is still quite intrusive even at the farthest point away from it."
"Maybe it was just bad timing but there were no birds at all on the lake."
"As it stands, I can't recommend this place, sorry."
"£4 for a stone cold coffee (you have to make the coffee yourself) that tastes like dishwater."
"The restaurant....so slow! We stood in a queue for 30.mins and watched 4 staff faff about doing non essential jobs, rather than serve."
"Awful visit. No proper signs to follow the paths so didn't know where to go."
"Used to be good, but awful now."
Parking and Accessibility
Pros:
"The parking is £5 for the day, may sound like a lot but you can spend a whole day here so its not too bad."
"£5 for all day is good as goes back to upkeep if reserve."
"Parking was only £5 for as long as you want when we visited."
"Carpark is £5 but money goes back into maintaining this beautiful reserve."
"Parking is easy and wheelchair accessible."
"The amazing value £5 Car Park charge, that covers entry, for all car occupants can be paid by RingGo or contactless."
"Entry is free but car park is £5 for the day and you can pay but cash or card."
Cons:
"Parking is £5 for any amount of time 365 days a year which again felt like quite a lot."
"Parking is expensive, my understanding is that because the construction was financed by the lottery there can not be an entrance charge, but a high parking charge is allowable."
"It's £5 parking for all day which on my visit for an hour or so was excessive ☹️ but worth it if you're there longer."
"But £5 to park (even though it goes to the wildlife trust) is very expensive."
"Shame they charge that much for parking."
"£5 Expensive for the car park."
"Lovely place but scandalous parking charges."
Facilities and Services
Pros:
"The staff and surroundings were perfect. Warm, Welcoming, Friendly, Brilliant."
"The centre itself is outstanding, floating as it does on the wetland itself and looking extraordinary and humble at the same time."
"Excellent cafe and toilet facilities."
"Great staff and prices are reasonable."
"The visitors centre has good interpretation and helpful staff."
"The floating centre has shops for food and souvenirs and there's an information /educational centre that caters for all ages."
Cons:
"Staff at the huts were locking up and leaving, I didn't mention it because what's the point."
"£5 to park here only to find the main cafe shut."
"The restaurant food is fresh, has a good variety and delicious."
"The cafe was very expensive."
"Cafe very expensive."
"Unfortunately the food in kestrel kitchen has really gone down hill."
"The visitor centre cafe was overpriced and staffed by rude 12 year olds."
Value for Money
Pros:
"To save money take snacks for kids as is £1.00 per choc bar in cafe."
"Would recommend for quality family time if you are on a budget."
"Arts and crafts for kids at £2.00."
"The icecream however is amazing, I had honeycomb and It was the best icecream I have had for a very long time!"
"Spend £5.00 on car park then that's it if take own lunch, drinks etc."
"The food in the cafe was ok and reasonably priced."
"For a £5 parking fee it's a bargain and you're supporting the wildlife Trust."
Cons:
"The cafe was ok. Bit expensive but as money goes back into the reserve it's not too bad."
"Please note: whether you're coming for 10 minutes or the day, the car park is a bit pricey at £5 and the cafe prices are not cheap but good quality."
"Car parking is £5 which for an occasional visit is ok but for a local who might just fancy nipping to the cafe for some lunch it's pretty steep."
"A day out here can become quite expensive if eating there."
"You can’t take dogs even though there’s signs saying you can take dogs on a short lead, apparently it’s due to nesting birds."
"We wanted to buy 2 'bowls' of chips @ £3.75 per bowl for the kids to share - when they placed them in front of us, they gave us 2 little bowls that were no bigger than a mug with approx 6 chips in each!!!!!"