Nature Reserves

Most of our nature reserves are open

Most of our nature reserves that are accessible to the public are open - the exceptions are Lower Smite Farm and Upton Warren Wetland Reserve. 

Upton Warren Wetland Reserve will remain closed until we are confident it can be opened safely.  Government guidance is changing on 4^th of July to allow some businesses to open with extra precautions, for the benefit of the economy. However, the Covid-19 epidemic remains a very real risk to life and the layout of paths and hides are such that until further restrictions are lifted, we do not believe it is safe to open the reserve. We will continue to review our policy as official guidance changes and advise any change on opening on the Upton Warren reserve page. 

Hides at Feckenham Wylde Moor and Broadway Gravel Pit remain closed.

We remain committed to playing our part in reducing the spread of Covid-19.  We therefore ask everyone to minimise their visits to our nature reserves at this time. 

If you visit our reserves, please maintain social distancing and be considerate to our staff, volunteers, other visitors and the wildlife.  You can do this by trying to avoid narrower paths that have the potential to make social distancing difficult without damaging path-side flowers and ground-nesting bird nests.

Wildlife has got used to the peace and quiet while you’ve been gone so please follow these simple steps to help ensure the safety of the wildlife that our nature reserves are so vital for:

• Keep dogs on leads
• Stick to paths
• Give wildlife space
• Report bad or suspicious behaviour

We reserve the right to close any of our nature reserves again if it proves impossible to keep them safely open.

Thank you for your continued support and for your patience.  If you are visiting our nature reserves and are not a member, please consider joining us in order to help us to maintain these wonderful places for wildlife.

Please read our full coronavirus statement.

Our nature reserves

Worcestershire Wildlife Trust owns and manages more than 75 amazing places for wildlife. You are welcome to visit most of these to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature and the wonders of Worcestershire's wildlife. Almost 30, however, are true wildlife havens (not listed on our website) and can only be visited for research purposes with special permission from the Trust. To help us look after all these fabulous places and to discover more about the wildlife that lives there, why not become a member.

Please remember that all our nature reserves are special places for wildlife. Please keep to paths and pay attention to on-site signage. Dogs are welcome on some of our nature reserves but please keep them on a lead at all times and take away any mess. Please follow these simple steps to ensure the safety of our wildlife:

• Keep dogs on leads. Even the friendliest of dogs can appear a threat to wildlife and may cause a bird to leave a nest altogether. It’s not just ground-nesting birds that are at risk – many species nest in vegetation close to the ground alongside paths.
• Stick to paths. Whether it’s a public right of way, a bridleway or a permissive path, please stick to these and don’t make your own way through. Only take horses or cycles on designated bridleways.
• Stay alert. If a bird is calling ‘at you’, you’re too close to the nest.  If it’s carrying food, let it feed its young. Don’t pause and keep on walking.
• Report bad or suspicious behaviour. If you see anything suspicious – wildlife crime, fly-tipping, fires. motorbikes or more, please report this using 101 (non urgent) or 999 (urgent)

Your group is welcome to visit without a guide but to ensure you have the best visit that isn't compromised by work that's taking place, education activities or other group visits, please contact Rob (01905 754919) to book your visit. Please also consider making a donation to the Trust to help with the ongoing costs of managing our nature reserves.

Please contact us if you would like to know more about accessing our more delicate nature reserves.