RSPB Minsmere is more than just a Nature Reserve, it’s a great day out for everyone, young and old.
Families will love the Wild Zone, complete with den building, child-sized sand martin tunnels and a willow-woven nest.
Children can play whilst parents can relax on comfortable sculpted sky-watching seats.
The Discovery Centre is a great venue for school groups or birthday parties, and is also used for many of our family events.
In our Visitor Centre, families can borrow an Explorer Backpack for self-guided wildlife discovery. These packs contain binoculars, a bugbox and a wildlife checklist.
You can choose from a variety of countryside walks through stunning coastal, wetland, woodland and heathland scenery, with 8 wildlife watching hides throughout the Reserve to sit and relax as you watch the wide variety of wildlife. Volunteer guides are often on hand to help, or book a guided walk before you visit if you prefer.
The views and wildlife change throughout the seasons, but theres always a variety of birds on the feeders outside the cafe.
In the Cafe much of the food is homemade using locally-sourced ingredients and the shop sells everything from wildlife homes to binoculars, cards to childrens gifts.
In spring, Minsmere is alive with birdsong, displaying birds and migrants passing through. Summer sees insects flitting among a variety of flowers, and breeding birds busily feeding their young. As the colours change in autumn, the red deer rut takes centre stage and winter migrants begin to return to the marshes and lagoons. The golden reedbeds and flocks of ducks dominate a winter visit.
For local information please see:
Saxmundham Guide
Dunwich Guide
Special Offers and Events
Please check RSPB Events for the latest information on all our forthcoming events.
4×4 Safaris
Monthly: dates and times by request
Start times: 9.30 am and 1 pm
A great way to explore the hidden treasures that Minsmere has to offer in the comfort of a 4×4 vehicle. Our 2-3 hour tours take you behind the scenes to parts not normally accessible to visitors. A great treat for a small group or as a gift for a loved one.
Cost: £155 per vehicle (maximum of 4 passengers), or £90 for RSPB members. Booking essential
If any of the above dates are not convenient please get in touch and we will do our best to accommodate your requirements.
Hire a Guide
Monthly: dates and times by request
Explore and discover more about Minsmere with our tailor made walks to suit your needs. Walks last 2-3 hours and are great for those wishing to focus on specific wildlife, just starting to bird watch or wishing too understand the basic of wildlife photography and for people with limited mobility.
Please call at least two weeks in advance to allow us time to allocate a guide to your preferred date.
Cost: £80 for up to 4 participants, plus normal reserve entry fees for non-members
Visiting arrangements at Minsmere
Entry charges to the reserve:
adult £9,
child £9 (under 5s free),
families one child free,
students £6.00
Free for RSPB and Wildlife Explorer members.
Your entry fee will be refunded if you become a member on the day of your visit.
Opening times
Nature trails and hides open daily.
From 1 February to 31 October:
Visitor centre and shop open from 9 am to 5 pm.
Cafe open 9.30 am to 4.45 pm.
Hot food served 11.30 am to 2.30 pm.
From 1 November to 31 January:
Visitor centre, shop and cafe open 10 am to 3.30 pm
Reserve and all facilities closed 25 and 26 December.
Facilities at Minsmere
Access to the visitor centre is free. At the reception desk, you can hire binoculars or a children’s Explorer Backpack. You can also find out more about the reserve and the RSPB. The shop stocks a wide range of books, outdoor clothing, gifts, binoculars and telescopes. You can enjoy a light meal or snack in the cafe. There are toilets, with baby changing facilities, and a large car park beside the visitor centre.
Families can explore the Discovery Centre, Wild Zone and Wild Wood Adventure to find out about Minsmere’s wildlife. A permit is needed for the three nature trails, which are each about 1.5 miles long. Two of the eight birdwatching hides are accessed via steps, and two via the beach. The rest of the hides and trails are accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs. A free trail guide is available from reception. Sorry, no dogs on the nature trails, but they are welcome around the visitor centre and car park, where there is a limited amount of shaded parking.
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Additional Features
- Fun for the Whole Family
- Kids Love It!
- Nature Lover’s Paradise
- Rare Species
- Talks and Events Held
- Visitor Centre
- Outdoor Activities
- Unique Day Out
- Home made food
- Freshly prepared food
- Suitable for all
- Disabled Toilets
- No dogs except assistance dogs
- Guided tours available
- Nature Courses
- Photography Courses
- Activities for all the family