E-mail to a friendE-newsletterContact us
HomeAbout usAdviceBirdsJoinOur workReservesSupport usShopThings to do
  • Overview
  • Awards & recognition
  • Contact us
  • Facts and figures
  • History
  • How we are run
  • Inspiring work
  • Job vacancies
  • Looking to the future
  • Media centre
  • Offices
  • The RSPB view
  • What we do
  • Overview
  • Farming
  • Gardening
  • Green living
  • Helping birds
  • Land management
  • Law
  • Watching birds
  • Overview
  • Aren't birds brilliant!
  • Birds by name
  • Birds by family
  • Bird identifier
  • Features
  • Reserves
  • Webcams
  • Wildlife garden guide
  • Overview
  • Campaigns
  • Corporate membership
  • Credit card
  • Donations
  • Fundraising
  • Gift Aid
  • Shop
  • Green energy
  • Holidays in the UK
  • Join the RSPB
  • Leave a legacy
  • Recycle your mobile phone
  • Share giving
  • Vehicle breakdown cover
  • Overview
  • Join now
  • Why join?
  • Membership as a gift
  • Membership benefits
  • Renewals
  • Other ways to support us
  • Overview
  • Great days out
  • By habitat
  • By name
  • By location
  • Recent sightings
  • Shops on reserves
  • Overview
  • Around the UK
  • Conservation
  • Document library
  • Farming
  • International
  • Job vacancies
  • News
  • Media centre
  • Policy
  • Reserves
  • Science
  • Teaching
  • Shop homepage
  • Binoculars
  • Bird care accessories
  • Bird feeders
  • Bird food
  • Bird tables and baths
  • Books, DVDs and CDs
  • Garden
  • Homeware
  • Prints and canvases
  • Toys
  • Virtual gifts
  • Wildlife care
  • Shops on reserves
  • Overview
  • Near you
  • Events
  • E-newsletter
  • Fundraising
  • Local groups
  • Reserves
  • Surveys
  • Volunteering
  • Webcams
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Close-up of reeds, Ouse Washes RSPB reserve Garganey Panoramic view, Ouse Washes RSPB reserve
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
Ouse Washes

Ouse Washes

  • About Ouse Washes
  • Star species
  • Seasonal highlights
  • Facilities
  • Accessibility
  • How to get here
  • Our work here
  • Management and funding

Print this page

Home > Reserves > Reserves by name > O > Ouse Washes

Whooper swan swimming

ParkingDisabled accessToiletsPicnic tables

Wide open fens have a magic of their own: the Ouse Washes cut across them with a long, straight stretch of wetland between artificial channels. Tens of thousands of ducks are attracted to this remote location in winter, as well as the largest concentration of Bewick's and whooper swans anywhere in the UK.

Opening times

The birdwatching hides are open at all times. The visitor centre is open from 9 am to 5 pm every day except Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Entrance charges

Free, but donations to help us continue our work here are welcome.

Fens through a Lens

More than 100 people took part in the ‘Fens Through A Lens’ photographic competition, organised by the RSPB, the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Peterborough Wildlife Trust and Cambridge University Museum of Zoology.

The pictures can be seen at a free exhibition at the museum, which starts next month, before touring the reserves. Click here for more information. 

Contact us

01354 680212

ouse.washes@rspb.org.uk

Nearest town: Chatteris, Cambridgeshire

Grid reference: TL471860

Directions

For directions, please see our How to get here page.

About the RSPB

The RSPB speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our environment. We rely upon memberships and donations to fund our work. Nature is amazing - help us keep it that way. More...

Contact us

Visit our Contact us section for telephone numbers, office addresses and more.

Latest news

Hard choices at Titchwell

The RSPB has been forced to take radical action to save one of its best-loved reserves from the sea.

Gardens not always rosy for wildlife

The RSPB is warning gardeners of the potential wildlife hazards lurking in their gardens.

Report highlights biofuels shambles

Less than 20 per cent of biofuels are meeting basic environmental standards, the Renewables Fuels Agency (RFA) has admitted today.

More news...

Add your voice for nature

As a charity, we rely on the support of members to continue our work protecting birds and wildlife.

Join now from only £2.84/month.

Free e-newsletter

Over 200,000 people enjoy our monthly e-mail newsletter.

Why not sign up?

Contact us
© 2008 The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Charity registered in England and Wales no 207076, in Scotland no SC037654
Privacy policy
Last published: 27/08/2008 14:12:59
Show/hide picture credits
Whooper swan swimming - Steve Round
Close-up of reeds, Ouse Washes RSPB reserve - Andy Hay (rspb-images.com, Ref: 1010280)
Garganey - Graham Catley
Panoramic view, Ouse Washes RSPB reserve - Andy Hay (rspb-images.com, Ref: 1010279)
Bird illustrations by Mike Langman (RSPB)