Frampton Marsh

Address: RSPB Frampton Marsh, Roads Farmhouse, Frampton Roads, Frampton, Boston, Lincolnshire PE20 1AY

Grid ref: TF356392

Blessed with a variety of freshwater habitats, Frampton Marsh provides close views of the abundant birdlife of The Wash, one of Europe's most special places for wildlife. Avocets, redshanks, skylarks and whimbrels can all be seen in summer, with thousands of ducks gathering on the freshwater scrapes in winter.

Plan your visit

The reserve is open at all times.

From November to February, the visitor centre and toilets are open from 9.30 am to 4 pm daily (except for Christmas Day). From March to October the visitor centre and toilets are open from 9.30 am to 4 pm weekdays, and 9.30 am to 5 pm at weekends and bank holidays.

Free entrance to RSPB members: Yes

Adults: £2

Children: £1
Free entrance for first child
Free entrance for under 5s

Student: £1.30

Car park cost: Free

Car park suggested donation: £2 for non-members

Facilities

Visitor centre
Car park
Toilets
Accessible toilets
Baby changing
Refreshments
Picnic area
Binocular hire
Guided walks
Viewing point
Nature trails
Shop off-site

Accessibility

Download full accessibility statement (PDF)

How to get here

By train

Boston is the nearest train station, about 4 miles (6.4 km) away.

By bus

The nearest bus stop is in Kirton village, approximately 3 miles (5 km) from reserve. The 113 Brylaine bus and the 58 Kimes bus run from Boston from Monday to Saturday.

The ‘Call Connect’ on demand bus service from Boston operates 7am – 7pm weekdays, 8am – 6pm Saturday. For more details call 0845 2343344 or visit lincsinterconnect.com.

By bike

National Cycle Route 1 is approx 1.5 miles (2.5 km) from the reserve entrance.

By road

The reserve is signposted from the A16 between Boston and Kirton. Follow the brown signs to RSPB Frampton Marsh.

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.

Other ways to get there

The Macmillan Way long-distance footpath (starting in Boston) crosses the reserve.

Get directions from Google Maps

RSPB reserves on Google Earth

Coach groups are welcome. Please contact the reserve to reserve the coach parking bay.

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Downloads

Helping you find your way around. PDF, 114kb

Frampton marsh trail map

Contact Frampton Marsh

RSPB Frampton Marsh, Roads Farmhouse, Frampton Roads, Frampton, Boston, Lincolnshire PE20 1AY
lincolnshirewashreserves@rspb.org.uk
01205 724678
@RSPBNorfolkLinc
Find us on facebook

What will you see?

Our star species

Avocet

Expect to see good numbers of this elegant wading bird in the spring and summer around the scrapes as they build their nests and raise their chicks.

Brent goose

Flocks of brent geese come to feed on the fields and saltmarsh in winter, down from their summering grounds of Siberia.

Hen harrier

Hen harriers are winter visitors to Frampton. Look for them gliding low over the saltmarsh or fields, hunting for small birds or mammals.

Lapwing

Their impressive aerobatic displays can be seen throughout spring and into the summer. In the winter they form large flocks on the grassland with other plovers.

Redshank

A real success story at Frampton with more than 200 pairs nesting regularly. Listen for their loud alarm calls.

In spring, passage and breeding waders, including a large avocet colony, can be seen on the freshwater scrapes and wet grasslands. Nesting lapwings and skylarks are very vocal on the wet grasslands. Keep an eye out for 'mad' march hares.

Summer is a fantastic time of year for passage waders. Frampton provides one of the best opportunities to see common and scarce waders in the country. The saltmarsh is alive with colour at this time of year - it's the best time to see hunting marsh harriers.

In autumn, the first returning brent geese can be seen grazing on the saltmarsh and wet grasslands. The highest tides of the year are in September and these can force thousands of waders to roost on the wet grasslands and freshwater scrapes. Kingfishers take up a winter residence in the tidal creeks of the marsh and on the wetland ditches. Keep an eye out for sea aster mining bees.

The winter can be spectacular, with thousands of wigeons, teals, brent geese, lapwings and golden plover all packed onto the wet grasslands. Whooper swans roost on the reedbed each night and with luck you may see a small flock of twites, or even the elusive Lapland bunting.

About Frampton Marsh

Habitat

Frampton Marsh is a coastal reserve set up to bring The Wash closer to you. It is primarily made up of wetlands, reedbeds, large freshwater scrapes and wet grassland.

Conservation

Frampton Marsh is on the Lincolnshire shore of The Wash, the UK’s most important estuary for wildlife. Varied and dynamically managed habitats such as reedbed, scrapes and wet grassland are designed to be good for both nature and visitors alike. The reserve is an internationally important place for wintering wildfowl and a crucial place for both migrating and breeding waders.

Site information

Frampton Marsh is one of the best places for wildlife in the UK. It is at the leading edge of visitor and habitat nature conservation planning. Facilities include a visitor centre, more than 3km of accessible footpaths to explore and three hides - two with 360-degree views.

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Activities and events

Activities for children and families

Families are always made welcome. You can get really close views of birds from the visitor centre, where we've provided telescopes for visitors to use. There's also an RSPB guide on hand who will be happy to answer your questions. Binoculars can be hired from the visitor centre and taken out around the reserve. There are many childrens' activities including events and treasure trails during school holidays.

There are wildlife explorer backpacks available for children to hire. Free games are also available to keep them interested as they walk around.