RSPB Frampton Marsh Reviews Summary

Visitor Experience

Pros:

• "Fantastic location for wetlands and all sorts of birds. Plenty to see with a very relaxed feel."
• "Magnificent reserve - not very large but with an interesting mixture of habitats, good hides and a nice small visitor centre serving coffee."
• "A very helpful team at the entrance."
• "Lovely to walk around the RSPB reserve and along the Wash, with views of Norfolk in the distance."
• "Fantastic place to see lots of different birds, they have three hides all good for wheelchair users."
• "Really nice place to bring the family out and have a great day birding."
• "One of the best nature reserves in Lincolnshire, each time I've been I've seen something different or had a good experience."

Cons:

• "I can only walk a short distance then I have to turn back. So I have to say that I resent paying for just spending a short time."
• "Only issue I would say is the price."
• "No adventure as we were stuck a few feet outside the hut."
• "I feel the parking charge per person for non members is prohibitive."
• "We felt ripped off just to walk public footpaths."
• "The walk from the main car park to 'The Wall' is quite long, albeit on a tarmac road; something to consider of you are not able-bodied."
• "The noisy chiller unit was a bit off putting."

Facilities & Accessibility

Pros:

• "Excellent access via footpaths around the areas & leading to visitor viewing hides."
• "Wheelchair access and toilet."
• "Parking is good - facilities excellent and the sanctuary is lovely and peaceful."
• "Parking is good, and close to the visitor centre and start of both walks."
• "Well maintained paths around superb marshland. There are also toilets at the visitors center."
• "The new café is very nice with big windows so you can view the wildlife on the reserve whilst having a drink or food."
• "The car park is very close to the Visitor Centre. The paths are well made and maintained and good enough for electric trolleys."

Cons:

• "Unfortunately the visitor centre is closed at the moment."
• "A little to busy with those pesky humans with dogs hence lost a star."
• "We only walked around to the 360 hide which was very busy with people bird watching and found it hard to view from if you couldn't sit down."
• "Minus there is not many benchs or places to sit down in the shade so I would recommend taking children there on less sunny/hot day."
• "For some reason in the middle of the reserve they have placed a large reflective mirror sculpture... Birds flying + mirrors and reflections = THUD, DEAD."
• "Not wheelchair/pushchair friendly."
• "Charge should be per car not per person, does not encourage a membership application, but does encourage parking on local verges."

Staff & Volunteers

Pros:

• "A very helpful team at the entrance."
• "Even under covid restrictions a good day out is possible here, the volunteers are not there right now but staff are there to welcome you."
• "A great experience with kind helpful staff."
• "The folk in the visitor centre are always enthusiastic and helpful."
• "The guides were really friendly and knowledgeable."
• "The staff are so helpful and friendly and because of that I rejoined the RSPB on a visit."
• "The volunteers on the meet and greet were brilliant and helpful to new visitors and people new to birdwatching."

Cons:

• "The actually walk itself was very beautiful. Didn’t mind paying the £3 each either. But the staff on the door were really unfriendly and rude."
• "Only spoilt by two separate incidents of uncontrolled dogs chasing ground nesting birds from their nests on the marsh near the embankment."
• "For young kids, very little to do - concrete steps through a small natural bog and no park."
• "Not dog friendly. Dogs are not allowed which is ridiculous as many dogs are better behaved then people."
• "Impressive new cafe although very pricey not impressed with tasteless Burts crisp or the flap Jack's."
• "Unfortunately since the signs have been put up saying there is a charge for walking around the site. I have not been for a while."
• "Summer bug hunt (2018). Had great enthusiasm for this first visit with the grand kids (6/7) which was advertised. Supposed to be £2.50 each but cost £8, which turned out to be a big fat rip off."

Food & Beverages

Pros:

• "We took part in the RSBP Wild Camping experience this weekend. As a group we were well fed in the cafe, scrummy local food and cakes!"
• "Had some of the homemade cake and coffee in the visitor centre which was great."
• "The choice of cakes is great and so much of it is home made!"
• "Enjoyed the coffee and Victoria cake today at the new cafe and there looked to be a wonderful selection of savoury dishes."
• "The food is fantastic and priced reasonably."
• "A delightful place to see all of nature. The cafe provides very good snacks which are fresh and wonderful cakes."
• "On a wet and windy Saturday (22nd July) the cafe was a welcome retreat. Excellent coffee, wonderful scones and superb cakes - and friendly staff and service."

Cons:

• "The cafe could with doing with selling more than they do."
• "Cafe does drinks and snacks only, no hot food or sandwiches so take your own if required."
• "The facilities are nice and clean though we didn't use the café as we brought our own food since the kids are fussy eaters."
• "We were looking for somewhere different to walk our dog, and headed to Frampton. We are happy to donate towards the upkeep of the site, but we asked to pay an 'entry fee'."
• "Small visitors centre with limited drinks and snacks. Staff are very friendly and helpful."
• "Inside the visitors centre is hot and cold drinks and snacks as well as toilet facilities."
• "Visitors center has tea/ coffee and ice-cream."

Activities & Events

Pros:

• "We tried the pond dipping at £3 a net which was fun for a short while."
• "Always something to do with kids especially in school holidays and place to picnic inside and out."
• "The event was really well organised. The campfire listening to bats, star spotting and playing games simply topped the night."
• "The activities they put on for children in the holidays are always brilliant too."
• "Absolutely love it here. Lots of walking routes to pick from so even when it's busy it doesn't feel crowded."
• "It's great place to relax and enjoy nature or afternoon with family as its not playground there children are not distracted and can learn to enjoy nature."
• "My son and I had a great time and learnt plenty from the volunteers; Jack, Les, Andy and Sabine."