RSPB - giving nature a home
Search
Close
Skip to content
Shop | Community
Log in | Sign up
  • About the RSPB
      About us
    • Our history
    • Our mission
    • How the RSPB is run
    • RSPB Media Centre
    • RSPB job vacancies
    • At home & abroad
    • International
    • England
    • Northern Ireland
    • Scotland
    • Wales
    • Get in touch
    • Contact us
    • RSPB offices
    • Connect with us your way
      Our activities
    • Gardening for wildlife

      Gardening for wildlife

      See our ideas to keep you connected to nature during coronavirus

    • Connect with us your way

      Connect with us your way

      From our regular emails to your favourite social media, there’s more than one way to keep in touch with nature

    • Martin Harper Blog

      Martin Harper Blog

  • Our work
      Nature conservation
    • Conservation and sustainability
    • Projects
    • Landscape scale conservation
    • Centre for Conservation Science
    • Satellite tracking birds
    • RSPB News
    • RSPB News
    • 'Our work' blog
    • Our positions and casework
    • Our positions
    • Casework
    • State of Nature report
      Featured news
    • Mindful mornings

      Mindful mornings

      If you can’t get outside, why not bring the outside in by downloading our bird song radio app?

    • How nature can help protect our homes

      How nature can help protect our homes

      Following the floods this winter, watch how one area is using nature as a natural protector.

    • Casework

      Casework

      Catch up with the RSPB’s own nature detectives on the case as they look to save some very special places.

  • Birds & wildlife
      Wildlife guides
    • Identify a bird
    • Bird A-Z
    • Other garden wildlife
    • Guide to birdwatching
    • UK conservation status explained
    • Nature's Calendar: January
    • Nature's Home magazine
    • About Nature's Home magazine
    • Birds and wildlife articles
    • RSPB Podcasts
    • Nature's Home blog
    • Advice
    • How you can help birds
    • Gardening for wildlife
    • Ask an expert
    • Wildlife and the law
    • How to report crimes against wild birds
    • Bird songs
    • Which bird song is that?
    • Most popular bird guides this month
    • Which bird song is that?

      Which bird song is that?

      Find out how to identify a bird just from the sound of its singing with our bird song identifier playlist.

    • Who to contact if you spot an injured or baby bird

      Who to contact if you spot an injured or baby bird

      Read more advice about what to do if you find a bird that needs help

    • In for a duck

      In for a duck

      It’s nesting season for our waterfowl too but what are the rules you need to follow for ducks, geese or swans?

  • Get involved
      Activities
    • Big Garden Birdwatch
    • Help nature at home
    • RSPB Competitions
    • Dolphinwatch
    • Community & advice
    • Join our local groups
    • How green are you?
    • RSPB Community
    • Get involved blog
    • Volunteering & fundraising
    • Volunteer
    • Fundraise
    • Help nature thrive as a corporate partner
    • Our grant funders
    • Campaigning
    • Climate change effects on nature and wildlife
    • Protecting wildlife sites
    • Campaign with us
    • Five actions to Revive Our World
    • Let nature sing
    • OxCam Arc
    • Top activities to do
    • Help nature at home

      Help nature at home

      Great ideas on how your garden, or even a small backyard or balcony, can become a mini nature reserve

    • How green are you?

      How green are you?

      See some of the ways you can get into green living.

    • Campaigning

      Campaigning

      See our toolkit for ways to campaign with us to protect nature and save wildlife.

  • Reserves & events
      Reserves A-Z Events, dates & inspiration
    • Events
    • COVID-19 information
    • Dates with nature
    • Places to visit blog
    • #ThanksToYou
    • Find a reserve
      Top reserve this month
    • Marshside

      Marshside

      This fantastic wetland site is located north of Southport town centre and has some of the best wildlife in the region.

    • Lytchett Fields

      Lytchett Fields

      The reserve has seen more than thirty species of wading birds.

    • Arne

      Arne

      Heathland home to more than 2565 species.

  • Fun & Learning
      For teachers
    • Supporting resources
    • Wild Challenge
    • School outreach visits
    • Big Schools Birdwatch
    • Sign up for the newsletter
    • School trip ideas
    • For families
    • Big Wild Sleepout
    • Wild Challenge
    • Nature reserves for families
    • For kids
    • Fun factoids for all the family
    • Games and activities
    • Kids stories
    • RSPB kids competitions
    • Latest kids' activities
    • Wild Challenge

      Wild Challenge

      Nature is an adventure waiting to be had. Get out, get busy and get wild!

    • Fun factoids for all the family

      Fun factoids for all the family

      Find out more about the nature and wildlife outside your window.

    • Youth membership

      Youth membership

      As well as a free gift and magazines, you’ll get loads of ideas for activities to try at home.

  • Join & Donate
      Join us
    • Choose a membership
    • Family membership
    • Youth membership
    • Gift membership
    • RSPB Life Fellow Membership
    • Renew your membership
    • Our 2020 film
    • Donate
    • Our appeals
    • Make a one-off donation
    • Make a regular donation
    • Memorial donations
    • Plant a memorial tree
    • In memoriam booklet download form
    • Thank you
    • Leave a gift in your Will
    • Other people's gifts
    • Legacy donation FAQs
    • Legacy administration
    • Legacy booklet download form
    • Thank you
    • Other ways to help
    • Gift Aid
    • Support us when you shop
    • RSPB Images
    • RSPB second-hand binocular scheme
    • Win with the RSPB
    • Payroll Giving
    • Stamp out albatross deaths
  • Login to your account Sign up for an RSPB account
  • Shop
  • Community
  • Home
  • Reserves & events
  • Reserves A-Z
  • Campfield Marsh

Campfield Marsh

In line with Government guidance on essential, daily exercise outdoors, our trails are open. We urge you to follow the legislation around non-essential travel and please visit your most local nature reserves and green spaces only. Please observe current guidelines on social distancing, face coverings, group sizes, hygiene and follow all signage on-site. See our Covid-19 updates page for the latest safety information (link below). Thank you for your support and understanding.
gallery image
gallery image
gallery image
gallery image
gallery image
gallery image
gallery image
gallery image
gallery image
gallery image
gallery image
gallery image
Address
RSPB Campfield Marsh, Wigton CA7 5AG
Grid ref
NY197615
See our reserves Covid-19 updates page for which sites are open and other important details.

Campfield Marsh, on the shores of the Solway Firth, is a natural mosaic of saltmarsh, peatbogs, farmland and wet grassland. This rich area provides homes for a variety of native wildlife, including ducks and geese in the winter and breeding waders, dragonflies and peat bog plants in spring and summer.

Plan your visit

Opening times

Reserve: open daily, at all times.

Visitor Centre: closed.

Toilets: open Monday-Friday 10am-4pm and at weekends when we have available volunteer support.  

Entrance charges

Free entrance to RSPB members
Yes
Adults
Free, but donations are very welcome
Children
Free, but donations are very welcome
Car park cost

Free

Facilities

  • Visitor centre is closed
  • Car park
  • Toilets
  • Accessible toilets
  • Baby changing
  • Refreshments facilities are closed
  • Picnic area
  • Viewing point
  • Nature trails
  • Educational facilities are closed
  • Play area

Accessibility

How to get here

By train

The nearest station is Carlisle (13 miles; 21 km from reserve).

By bus

Bus no. 93 from Carlisle terminates at the eastern end of Campfield Marsh reserve at Bowness on Solway. Access to North Plain Farm and Bowness Common is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) west along the road by the saltmarsh.

By road

The main entrance is at North Plain Farm 1.5 miles (2.4 km) west of Bowness on Solway on the unclassified coast road.

Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.

Get directions from Google Maps
RSPB reserves on Google Earth

Group booking information

Groups are welcome to visit at all times, though the visitor centre and reserve may be unmanned during the week. However toilets and self service refreshments are available from 10am - 4pm most days. 

Please contact the reserve when planning your visit to ensure facilities will be available when you arrive. There is access and parking for small coaches, but larger coaches may need to drop off at the roadside, 100m from the visitor centre.

Schools booking information

School groups are welcome to visit and use the education room and discovery zone for a small donation. Self-guided groups are welcome at all times, and staff may be occasionally available to help run a group event. Indoor/outdoor classroom seating, toilets, pond dipping facilities, natural play area available.

What will the weather be like?

12 degrees, Partly cloudy (day)

Contact Campfield Marsh

  • RSPB Campfield Marsh, Wigton CA7 5AG
  • campfield.marsh@rspb.org.uk
  • 01697 351330
  • @RSPB_N_England
  • Find us on facebook

What will you see?

Our star species

    Barnacle goose adult

    Barnacle goose

    Large numbers of the Svalbard population arrive at Campfield Marsh in the autumn.

    Standing Lapwing illustration

    Lapwing

    Watch the nesting lapwings here chasing predators that may come too close.

    Pink-footed goose

    Pink-footed goose

    Thousands of pink-footed geese assemble here, with the numbers peaking in February and March.

    Redshank, summer plumage

    Redshank

    Keep an eye out for the redshanks' towering display flights over the wet meadows in spring.

    Snipe illustration

    Snipe

    These cryptically-coloured waders can be seen displaying here in spring.

Recents sightings

Pink-footed goose Anser brachyrhynchus, flock in flight. Ribble Estuary, Marshside RSPB reserve, Lancashire, England.

Find out about recent wildlife sightings at Campfield Marsh.

Read more

Nature spectacles

Look out over the saltmarsh at high tide to watch the gatherings of oystercatchers, lapwings, curlews and dunlin between autumn and spring.  Visit in winter to watch thousands of teal wigeon, pintail and shoveler feeding on the flooded fields. In summer the peat bog is the place to head to see an array of dragonflies and damselflies darting over the heather, while lizards scurry across the boardwalk in front of you.

Seasonal highlights

  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter

Spring and summer are busy times for nature and a great time for you to explore. Keep your eyes peeled for lapwings performing their tumbling display flight over the wet farm fields. Stroll along the saltmarsh and listen to the wonderful sounds of songbirds. Find yourself a pool on the peat bog and sit and watch dragonfles and damselflies darting past. Wander around the wildflower meadows to marvel at the beautiful blooms. Listen for male snipe “drumming” as they try to attract a mate over the rushy fields.

Spring and summer are busy times for nature and a great time for you to explore. Keep your eyes peeled for lapwings performing their tumbling display flight over the wet farm fields. Stroll along the saltmarsh and listen to the wonderful sounds of songbirds. Find yourself a pool on the peat bog and sit and watch dragonflies and damselflies darting past. Wander around the wildflower meadows to marvel at the beautiful blooms. Listen for male snipe “drumming” as they try to attract a mate over the rushy fields.

Over autumn and winter, watch from the lay-bys as the high tide pushes thousands of oystercatchers, dunlins and curlews onto the saltmarsh roosts. Head to the hide to see hundreds of teals, wigeons and other ducks feeding. Visit the farm fields to find flocks of reed buntings and linnets feeding on the seed. Look for weird and wonderful fungi in the birch woods.

Over autumn and winter, watch from the lay-bys as the high tide pushes thousands of oystercatchers, dunlins and curlews onto the saltmarsh roosts. Head to the hide to see hundreds of teals, wigeons and other ducks feeding. Visit the farm fields to find flocks of reed buntings and linnets feeding on the seed. Look for weird and wonderful fungi in the birch woods.

About Campfield Marsh

Habitat

From autumn until spring, the tidal sands are busy with thousands of wading birds. Come spring, migrant warblers set up territories and the gorse bursts into bloom.

The former farmland has been transformed into a wetland paradise for lapwings, redshanks and the thousands of ducks and geese that spend the winter here. Continue on through the woodland and you will emerge on the vast open heather landscape of the raised peat bog.

Conservation

The peat bog, or raised mire, supports breeding curlews and snipe, as well as dragonflies and large heath butterflies. We are managing this important area by keeping the water high and allowing the peat to begin to regrow. We manage our wet grassland for the benefit of wading birds and wildfowl, and aim especially to increase our breeding populations of redshank and lapwing. Grazing helps us maintain suitable ground for these birds, and we will extend this by creating ditches and drains on any newly acquired land

Arable farmland on the reserve provides winter stubble for tree sparrows, reed buntings, linnets and skylarks. To boost their numbers we are converting 1 ha of semi-improved grassland into arable. The 52 ha of saltmarsh on the reserve supports a great variety of ducks and geese. We are working to maintain this area key features, including its grassland, gorse scrub and open water. Measures include grazing with cattle, maintaining ditches and open water, and minimising disturbance.

Partners

Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund through the Solway Wetlands Landscape Partnership.

Site information

Initially comprising 52 ha of saltmarsh purchased in 1987, the reserve has expanded over the years to include three areas of former farmland and 65 ha of raised peat bog to produce a mosaic of wetlands now totalling 335 ha on the Solway coast. It provides refuge for wintering wildfowl, breeding waders and other wetland specialists such as marsh fritillary butterflies. The site comprises parts of the South Solway Mosses SAC, Upper Solway Flats and Marshes SPA / SSSI and Bowness Common SSSI.

Latest forum posts

read our forum

Latest blog posts

read our blog

Activities and events

Activities for children and families

Come and visit the family discovery zone with self-guided activities. Pond-dipping nets, trays and guides are available to borrow from the visitor centre.

Visit the natural play area to run, play and picnic before heading off on the 'Tale Trail'  - a family guide to the reserve with Elmo the Peewit. Pick up your leaflet and map from the visitor centre.

Share this

  • Facebook Facebook Created with Sketch.
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest

You might also be interested in

Waterfall at Geltsdale RSPB reserve, Cumbria

Geltsdale

A remote and ruggedly beautiful nature reserve, you'll find upland birds, breeding waders, and birds of prey.
Estuary of Southwick Water/Solway Firth at sunset

Solway Coast Wetlands

Overlooked by Scottish hills and the Cumbrian Fells, the Solway Plain combines coastal, estuarine and wetland habitats.
RSPB Giving Nature a Home Campaign

Join us - legacy

Become an RSPB member by signing up here.

We spend 90% of net income on conservation, public education and advocacy

Quick links

  • Contact us
  • Online Community
  • Vacancies
  • Media centre

Information for

  • Teachers
  • Policy makers
  • Farmers & landowners
  • Scientists

Our work in

  • England
  • Scotland
  • Wales
  • Northern Ireland
  • International

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram

Partnering with

BirdLife_logo

The RSPB is a member of BirdLife International. Find out more about the partnership

Fundraising Regulator logo OSCR logo

© The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654

  • Terms & conditions
  • Cookie policy
  • Privacy policy
  • Charter and statutes
  • About our site
  • Modern Slavery Act

Cookie Preferences

Accepting all non-essential cookies helps us to personalise your experience

Edit settings
Accept all

Essential cookies are required

These cookies are required for basic web functions

Enable analytics cookies

Allow us to collect anonymised performance data

Enable marketing cookies

Allow us to personalise your experience

Save settings
Read our cookie policy