Neil Roberts
Whisby Nature Park
Whisby Nature Park
Whisby Nature Park is a beautiful landscape near Lincoln, full of wildlife, walks and trails. Once barren and lifeless, this amazing place now abounds with wildlife. The park was created by quarrying for sand and gravel, but nature has reclaimed the pits and bare sand, creating habitats for many species.
Ben Hall/2020VISION
Visitor information
Know before you go
Facilities
- Education Centre
- 'The Barn' - bird observation and information
Natural World Centre
- Cafe
- Shop
- Children's indoor and outdoor adventure play
- Toilets
- Disabled toilets
- Baby changing facilities
Dogs
Dogs are permitted on a short lead.
Dogs can be walked off lead around Thorpe Lake only.
Please do not let your dog swim in any of the lakes. The presence of toxic algae is dangerous to dogs and flea treatments are harmful to wildlife.
Dogs are not allowed on the education grounds (please check specific events for more details).
Access
Footpaths are level, the majority are hard surfaced though may be muddy in places. Mobility scooters can be hired from the Natural World Centre, more information here.
No cycling
Opening times
Nature reserve open all year. Please note, the car park gate is closed at 8pm.
Natural World Centre is open Monday to Sunday, 10am - 4pm. For more information, please check their website.
The Education Centre is open for special events, school and group bookings. Find out more below.
Natural World Centre
- The Natural World Centre opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 10am - 4pm
- Toilet facilities open: 9.30am until 4.30pm
- Boardwalk Bistro open: 10.00am-4.00pm. Hot food served until 3.00pm
- Closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
The Centre is fully accessible on both floors, with toilet facilities and homemade hot and cold refreshments available to purchase in the Boardwalk Bistro. There is also a small shop selling wildlife themed goods and gifts.
The Centre also offers exciting indoor and outdoor adventure play areas for children from approximately aged three and upwards. These adventure areas are completely free for all the family to enjoy, you just need to book a session by calling 01522 688868 or by booking on arrival.
For more information, visit the Natural World Centre website or Facebook page.
The Natural World Centre is separately managed by Lincs Inspire on behalf on North Kesteven District Council.
Group visits
Any organised groups wishing to visit a reserve must fill in a Group Visit Form at least one month in advance of their visit. You can find the form on our group visit page.
Alternatively if you are looking to bring a school group, visit our Education Centre page for information.
Car park
There is a car parking charge of:
- £3 from 1 March until 31 October
- £2 from 1 November – end of February
Parking charges apply between 10am to 4pm. Ticket machines are cash or card.
Disabled parking can be found at the top of the car park in front of the Natural World Centre. Parking is free for disabled badge holders.
Season Tickets for parking are available, please contact the Natural World Centre for prices. This car park is operated by North Kesteven District Council.
Location and contact details
Whisby Nature Park
Moor Lane
Thorpe-on-the-Hill
Lincoln
LN6 9BW
OS Map Reference: SK 911 661
What3Words: ///journey.thumb.starred
Education enquiries:
01522 696926
whisbyeducation@lincstrust.co.uk
Natural World Centre and cafe:
01522 688868
naturalworld@lincsinspire.com
Reserve enquiries:
01522 500676
whisbynp@lincstrust.co.uk
Caroline Fitton
Educational services
Whisby Education Centre has been carefully designed to balance countryside recreation, nature conservation and environmental education, hosting a wide range of activities from pond dipping to wild art.
The Education Centre is able to cater for school visits and away days as well as offering room hire for private events and fun and educational activities for the whole family.
Habitats and species
The lakes at Whisby Nature Park are surrounded by grassland, marsh, scrub and willow carr. Elements of the original quarry landscape remain, with fragments of heathland, old hedgerows and a small oak woodland.
In spring and summer, flocks of tits and finches are joined by warblers. The lakes attract feeding sand martins and swallows, and black-headed gulls nest on the islands. Chiffchaffs along with reed and garden warblers can be heard.
Autumn brings the first sight of winter birds such as goldcrests, redpolls and grey wagtails. In winter, the water levels are at their highest and wildfowl are numerous. The cold weather also brings with it huge murmurations of starlings in their thousands, swarming and twisting across the misty lakes.
Whisby Nature Park has been designated a Dragonfly Hotspot by the British Dragonfly Society.
Dean Eades
Guy Edwardes/2020VISION
Don Davis
Neil Roberts
Neil Roberts
Neil Roberts
Dean Eades
Walks and trails
There are six waymarked trails to choose from at Whisby Nature Park ranging from 1.2 to 3 miles. Paths are level and in many places have a hard surface of compacted limestone. When visiting, please keep to the paths as some areas are potential dangerous, particularly the deep water and disused washing channels.
Click below to download your trail map, or go to our events page for details of guided walks and other activities.
Tom Marshall
Wild Weekends
Whisby Nature Park is a stepping stone away from the city of Lincoln where you can find an abundance of arts and heritage, more reserves to explore and great attractions for the kids.
Why not turn your visit wild, and make a weekend of it!
Keep in touch
Follow our Whisby Warden on social media for the latest news and sightings, or search for a nearby event.
Bertie Gregory/2020VISION