Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Nature Reserves

The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is a charitable organisation which cares for the county’s wildlife and countryside. The trust manages 89 nature reserves in Lincolnshire, which are spread across the county from the Humber to the Wash.

Renowned for birdwatching, the following reserves are all situated just a short drive from Elms Farm Cottages:
All the images below are courtesy of Jeremy Eyeons.

Snipe Dales

Distance from Elms Farm Cottages: 21 miles, 33.8km

Located in the picturesque Lincolnshire Wolds, Snipe Dales is a nature reserve and country park. With woodland, streams and wildflower meadows, this beautiful reserve is home to a plethora of wildlife, birds and insects.

Open all year round, each season brings something new to Snipe Dales. From migrating species to seasonal blooms, you will find plenty of things to look out for during your visit.

The site is divided into two sections, so there are two different landscapes to explore. The country park is perfect for a woodland walk, whilst the nature reserve has wet valleys, grassland and scrub.

During nesting season, Snipe Dales’ wooded areas are brought to life with bird song. You can spot everything from wrens to woodpeckers here, and birds of prey can often be seen soaring above the trees.

To help you explore the full reserve, there are three designated walking trails you can follow, two of which are circular. You can download a map ahead of your visit, or pick up a printed version from the Warden’s Office at the reserve.

Accessibility

Paths can be steep and muddy in places. Wheelchair users may gain access to the marsh area by car, access must be arranged in advance by contacting the warden. There is a disabled toilet onsite.

Gibraltar Point

Distance from Elms Farm Cottages: 28.6 miles, 46km

Gibraltar Point is a pristine stretch of coastline, running from Skegness to The Wash. Covering 1100 acres, this picturesque nature reserve has a sandy and muddy seashore, bordered by sand dunes, saltmarsh and freshwater marsh. There are ponds and lagoons spread across the site, which are home to an abundance of coastal wildflowers and wildlife.

Throughout the year, Gibraltar Point welcomes a host of migrating birds, from huge flocks of waders to winter wildfowl. Birds of prey can be seen gliding through the sky, whilst geese, Shelduck and Teal take up residence in the water during the colder months.

To enable you to explore the full reserve, there are several walking trails to follow. You will also find viewpoints, benches and hides placed throughout the reserve, allowing you to take a seat, soak up the beautiful surroundings and spot the resident wildlife.

Accessibility

The majority of the paths at Gibraltar Point are accessible for wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

Both the café and Visitor Centre are fully accessible. However, the upper rooftop deck is only accessible by stairs. The Visitor Centre staff are also part of the Sunflower Scheme which enables support for people with hidden disabilities.

Chapel Pit Nature Reserve

Distance from Elms Farm Cottages: 35.4 miles, 57km

Situated close to Chapel St Leonards on the coast, Chapel Pit is part of the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park. When the sea banks were damaged by floods in 1953, clay was excavated from nearby land to repair them. This excavation left a pit, which was flooded to form the Chapel Pit nature reserve.

Spread over 3 hectares the reserve centres around two large lakes, both of which are bordered by reedbeds and aquatic plants.

A haven for waders and waterbirds, ducks are in abundance, with 15 different species recorded here. They are joined by breeding birds in the summer, and several migrating species in the autumn. Thousands of Swallows and Housemartins come to roost in the reeds, whilst grebes, divers and wild swans can often be seen on the water.

Accessibility

Chapel Pit has difficult terrain so the reserve is not currently suitable for wheelchair users.

Donna Nook

Distance from Elms Farm Cottages: 43.9 miles, 70.6km

Situated between Grainthorpe Haven and Saltfleet, Donna Nook is one of the best-known nature reserves in Lincolnshire.

Covering more than six miles, this flourishing nature reserve has sand dunes, mudflats, saltmarshes and inter-tidal areas to explore. The varied landscape allows for an abundance of plant life to flourish, which helps to attract large numbers of birds in the winter.

There are 47 species of birds that breed here regularly, but over 250 species of migrating birds have been recorded in total – including many rare passage migrants. Donna Nook attracts everything from Snow Bunting to Starlings, with huge colonies flocking here throughout the year.

During the winter months, this remote coastal spot also becomes home to one of the UK's largest colonies of Grey Seals, who come up to the dunes to breed. Visitors flock to the reserve to see the seals, and there is a designated viewing platform open from October to December.

Accessibility

There is disabled ramp access from the Stonebridge car park. Access from the main car park is over an unsurfaced dune.

Wonderful classy accommodation, ideal location. The Stables is a home from home, we will be back.

Mark & Sharon, Australia

Fantastic cottage and beautiful surroundings, we will come again.

Chris & Linda, Nottingham

Amazing venue for Pauls 50th, ages ranging from 2 - 75. Beautiful cottages, well equipped and very well arranged. Absolutely brilliant.

The Wheatcrofts

Another very relaxing break at this fantastic cottage, we will be back soon.

Grayston family, Leeds

Lovely and relaxing stay in a wonderful cottage. 5 Star!

The Toveys, Surrey

Grandmas 80th Birthday weekend, perfect place to be with the whole family.

The Marshall family

Best holiday cottage we have stayed at. Very family friendly, loved the complimentary produce. We will be back.

Terry family

Lovely comfortable accommodation, wonderful wet room. We will be back.

Janet, Ken & Chris Gwent

Everything was perfect, would highly recommend to all. Thanks for a great week.

Ben Bromley

Another fantastic stay in 2 lovely cottages. Can't wait to come back again soon!

The Graystons & Mosby Families

Beautiful Cottage, perfect for all our needs. A lovely week.

The Bancrofts, Essex

We have had a really nice week in your beautiful cottages and cant wait to come back again.

Pam Ottley, Birmingham

Fantastic accommodation for our yearly reunion of 37 people from Holland and England.

All three cottages were very well equipped and spacious, especially Oak which we used as our central meeting point. The log burner was great to get a lovely atmosphere for drinks and family games.

Jane Smith, London

What a lovely cottage, well equipped and very warm. One of the best we have stayed in. Would definitely return.

Gibson & Roberts

Warm and friendly welcome from Carol. A comfortable base and lovely place to chill. Thank you.

Ken and Carol, Derbyshire

Wonderful week in this splendid cottage. Many thanks, Lincoln Cathedrel, Boston Stump and Gibralter Point all highlights for us.

The Willmott Family