Fowlmere

We’re delighted to be open for visitors, though our hides remain closed. See full facility details below. When visiting us please follow current Government guidance around travel, face coverings, social distancing, group sizes, hygiene and follow all signage on-site. See our Covid-19 updates page for the latest safety information (link below). 

Address: RSPB Fowlmere, Mill Rd, Royston SG8 6EZ

Grid ref: TL406461

What3Words: informed.spreads.petrified

See our reserves Covid-19 updates page for which sites are open and other important details.

Fowlmere Nature Reserve (SSSI, 41ha) is a well-loved wildlife oasis set within farmland. Its former water-cress beds are now reedbed, fen, chalk grassland and scrub, while the area also holds a small but fine example of a chalk stream, one of the UK’s rarest habitats.

Plan your visit

Car park: open daily, dawn-dusk.
Nature reserve: open daily, dawn-dusk.
Hides: closed.

Free entrance to RSPB members: Yes

Adults: Free, however a donation is suggested

Children: Free, however a donation is suggested

Car park cost

There are no entrance charges to the reserve, but the following car parking charges apply:

RSPB members: FREE (please display your membership card face down in your windscreen)
Non-members: £2 per car
Blue badge holders: FREE

Facilities

Visitor centre is closed
Car park
Pushchair friendly
Picnic area
Guided walks is closed
Viewing points are closed
Nature trails

Accessibility

Full accessibility information (external website)

How to get here

By train

The nearest train station is Shepreth, approximately 2 miles (3.5 km) away.

By bus

The nearest bus stop is Dunsbridge Turnpike (outside Country Homes & Gardens), 1 mile (1.5 km) from the reserve.

By road

From the A10 (Cambridge to Royston) turn towards Fowlmere at the Fowlmere-Shepreth crossroads. After 1 mile (1.5 km), turn right by the cemetery. Follow road for 0.6 mile (1 km) and turn left into the reserve at the RSPB sign.

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

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RSPB reserves on Google Earth

Sorry, dogs are not permitted on the reserve, except assistance dogs, due to the sensitive wildlife and habitats here. We know that the countryside is a dog walking paradise. It’s important to remember the special surroundings here are wonderful havens for rare wildlife. Even if dogs are very well behaved, wildlife can easily become startled by a dog they perceive as a predator.

Disturbing wildlife does more than simply causing it to move away; it uses up their energy, decreasing their chance of survival regardless of season. Thank you for protecting the special wildlife by not exercising your dog here.

Dogs can die in hot cars, please do not leave your dog in the car when visiting us.
Does are permitted on the public bridleway, please keep dogs on a lead while on the reserve.

Please follow current Government guidance on group sizes when visiting the reserve.

Group bookings are usually welcome to visit us during normal opening hours. However, laws in England mean that the maximum group size able to visit our reserve together is currently 6, unless you are from the same household or bubble.

Due to Covid-19 measures, we have temporarily paused our school visits until Spring 2021. For information on our exciting programme of curriculum-linked outdoor education sessions, visit our school trips information here.

In the meantime, check out our fantastic range of resources for teachers here, or take on the Schools’ Wild Challenge here.

Management and maintenance work is done by volunteers every Thursday. We try to minimise disturbance to visitors and wildlife, but some temporary disturbance may occur.

Downloads

Helping you find your way around. PDF, 795Kb

Fowlmere trail guide

Contact Fowlmere

RSPB Fowlmere, Mill Rd, Royston SG8 6EZ
fowlmere@rspb.org.uk
01767 693013
@RSPBFens
Find us on facebook

What will you see?

Our star species

Kingfisher

Kingfishers are a year-round attraction at Fowlmere.

Reed bunting

Reed buntings are most obvious in spring when the males sing from the tops of the reeds.

Sedge warbler

Another warbler that returns from Africa in spring, the sedge warbler is easy to see.

Turtle dove

Although less common, turtle doves can still be seen and heard at Fowlmere in the spring and summer.

Water rail

Can be seen when the water drops in late summer and autumn or onto ice in winter.

Nature spectacles

Fowlmere is one of the best reserves in Eastern England to encounter breeding turtle doves. The small but beautiful River Shep is a fine example of a chalk stream, with brown trout and water voles.

In spring and summer, Fowlmere is one of the best places in Eastern England to hear turtle doves purring. You can hear a wide variety of warblers singing, while little grebes and lapwings can be seen on the mere. Orchids flower in the meadows and barn owl chicks can be seen peeping from specially provided nest boxes. Large flocks of winter thrushes forage on the berry bushes in some years. It's possible to see water voles and occasionally otters.

Autumn and winter are good times to see flocks of finches, buntings, thrushes and starlings roosting or feeding in the scrub, and catch a glimpse of a kingfisher and occasionally bittern or bearded tit. Brown trout breed in the chalk stream (River Shep).

About Fowlmere

Habitat

Fowlmere Nature Reserve is a well-loved wildlife oasis set within farmland. Its former water-cress beds are now reedbed, fen, chalk grassland and scrub, home to breeding turtle dove, water rail and barn owl and winter roosts of reed bunting. Bearded tits and bitterns are found occasionally in winter, and otters and water voles are regularly seen. The reserve holds a small but fine example of a chalk stream, one of the UK’s rarest habitats.

Conservation

We hold work parties here almost every week, carrying out work ranging from management of habitats for wildlife to maintenance of visitor facilities.

Site information

Fowlmere, 41ha, is one of the best places for wildlife in the UK and an SSSI.

Management and maintenance work is done by volunteers every Thursday. We try to minimise disturbance to visitors and wildlife, but some temporary disturbance may occur.

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