RSPB Conwy Reviews Summary

Visitor Experience

Pros:

• "A small nature reserve but lots of interesting birds to watch from the hides."
• "The grounds are great to walk around especially with the bingo cards for children which are provided at entrance."
• "Lovely place to visit if you're in Conway, if you fancy a walk there is a 2 mile walk around the site, with lovely views."
• "Clean toilets and access for pushchairs and wheelchairs to most of the site."
• "Love love love it, something for everyone."
• "Several birds to be seen from the café. There is a charge to walk around the sanctuary, which is well worth it for the beautiful views."
• "A beautiful walk around the pools next to the tidal estuary of the Conwy, you will find wild flowers galore also butterflies, stoats and an abundance of bird life."

Cons:

• "The cafe had very little left in the way of hot food so all in all.not our most enjoyable visit."
• "Being here made me want to renew my membership. It is a bit quiet animal wise, and the road noise was a little much."
• "But I did not liked the feeders and hides. The feeder was placed so it was impossible to take pictures of the birds."
• "We had 2 babies (free) 1 13yr old (£6) 2 adults (£6) 1 oap (£6) so we was charged for 4 adults 1 an oap and 1 13 child £24 then the food £4 a ham sandwich ×2 £5.95 for a sausage roll Notton mention drinks and other food. Deffo not worth paying its not a donation as they said its a set fee and deffo expensive will not be going back and wouldent recommend wheelchair users."
• "Would however recommend you take your own refreshments, very little choice over £11 for two sandwiches and a tea and coffee that were undrinkable."
• "Not dog friendly."
• "The only thing that let's it down is the staff, they are not very friendly, and always seem too busy to engage in pleasantries."

Cafe and Food

Pros:

• "Good cafe overlooking wetlands plenty of birds and wildlife to see lovely walks to do, parking and toilets on site."
• "Just went to the cafe for relaxed snack lunch. Homemade sweet potato and red pepper soup. Delicious."
• "Perfect! Great shop and a wonderful little cafe with great views over the reserve and lake."
• "Cafe was warm and comfortable with plenty of options for cakes and sandwiches."
• "The staff are really great here and very informative."
• "Beautiful wood log restaurant with stunning views of the surroundings."
• "Cafe serves great drinks and cakes!"

Cons:

• "The cafe sells tea but they are scared of drowning the tea bag so they take it out very quickly."
• "The café was not open but we're told it is good."
• "The cafe is also terrible and expensive."
• "Over a half an hour queue simply to order 2 coffees."
• "However, the service was however VERY slow (there was only 1 person ahead of us)."
• "Cafe was good, toasted sandwiches and soup is about the most they have to offer."
• "I feel the cafe is a big disappointment."

Facilities and Accessibility

Pros:

• "There is a large car park, disabled friendly."
• "Great visitor centre, friendly and enthusiastic team."
• "Really nice centre, very new and clean."
• "The reserve has free parking and a cafe and toilets."
• "A spacious new cafe with a panoramic view and an outside area for picnics."
• "The children's play ground is great with the beach sand floor."
• "All walkways are on level ground and are wheelchair accessible, the hides have lower windows for just such reason and for kids."

Cons:

• "Next to a very busy road so quite noisy."
• "I'm not sure its completely wheelchair friendly in the wintry months as there are some very big puddles and slodgy mud areas along the pathways."
• "Pay to get in there and then whilst in there any food or drink you consume whether brought in or bought onsite you must take your rubbish home with you as they don't have bins."
• "The Conway site is undergoing a major renovation this combined with the lack of rain makes this at the moment not economic for a family visit, particularly non members."
• "Very limited facilities, seemed like a place for people to walk their dogs rather than watch the wildlife."
• "It’s a shame the A55 is so close. Traffic noise is considerable."
• "About the most, discourteous experience I have ever had in an establishment... Never again, period💩 experience 😠"

Staff and Service

Pros:

• "However it must be said that this reserves greatest asset is it's staff. I have never been less than highly satisfied with their knowledge, friendly attitude and willingness to go the extra mile to make your visit a memorable experience."
• "Not a zoo, so not guarantee delivery you will see anything interesting, but staff are very friendly and knowledgeable."
• "The staff are so friendly and helpful. That will answer all your questions and help guide you."
• "The person who greeted us in the entrance was warm, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and really knowledgeable."
• "Staff friendly and helpful."
• "All the staff were very helpful and friendly."
• "We were met by two very friendly ladies at the entrance. Extremely helpful, with the information on the rspb."

Cons:

• "Let down on our visit by an RSPB agent not apparently satisfied with our payment for day entry and lecturing us at length about the plight of wildlife in an attempt to sign us up for a yearly subscription."
• "The only thing that let's it down is the staff, they are not very friendly, and always seem too busy to engage in pleasantries."
• "The visitor centre....oh dear! Staff assume you're wanting to pay even if you're just going to the cafe ....can't be calling people liars."

Value for Money

Pros:

• "Nice quiet place to have a lovely morning coffee good value for money."
• "Has a cafe which serves nice food at good prices."
• "Friendly staff. Freshly made sandwiches and coffee from a well stocked trailer at very reasonable prices."

Cons:

• "We had 2 babies (free) 1 13yr old (£6) 2 adults (£6) 1 oap (£6) so we was charged for 4 adults 1 an oap and 1 13 child £24 then the food £4 a ham sandwich ×2 £5.95 for a sausage roll Notton mention drinks and other food. Deffo not worth paying its not a donation as they said its a set fee and deffo expensive will not be going back and wouldent recommend wheelchair users."
• "Would however recommend you take your own refreshments, very little choice over £11 for two sandwiches and a tea and coffee that were undrinkable."
• "Enjoyed our visit and lovely walk around the reserve and along the river. Informative signs and well placed hides to view the birds BUT £6 a person with no concessions for seniors or disabled we felt was steep."
• "The cafe is also terrible and expensive."
• "I think it's the only rspb that charges to go around. It's something like £5 each."
• "I don't think my judgement counts really but here it is. I'm not a bird watcher so was very surprised at the £5 entry fee to walk by the river."
• "The reason for the 4 star review not 5 is due to its closing time."