Brockholes Reviews Summary

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."
• "Lovely natural reserve sympathetically maintained & easily accessible!"
• "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!!!!!"
• "Waste of 5 pounds for parking!!!"