RSPB The Lodge Nature Reserve, Sandy

We’re delighted to have opened our car park, trails and toilets, but please be mindful we are operating reduced opening hours: Sunday-Friday 9am-5.45pm only (closed Saturday).

You’ll notice we’ve made some changes to help keep you and our staff and volunteers safe. To maintain social distancing, we're operating toilets on a one in, one out and one-way system. They are open 10am-5pm.

Our visitor centre, shop, gardens, and hide remain closed for now. Please be mindful of our car park’s very limited capacity. Anyone choosing to visit should please observe current guidance around social distancing, hygiene and follow all signage on-site. We look forward to seeing you (from a safe distance of course!)

Car park and entry charge of £6 per vehicle applies to non-RSPB members.

The Lodge Nature Reserve and Gardens is a very special place, offering an exceptionally rich combination of wildlife and heritage experiences. The woodland, heath and acid grassland here cover an area of some 220 hectares, and now form the largest stretch of heathland in Bedfordshire.

Helping you find your way around

THE LODGE TRAIL GUIDE

Access to facilities

Visitor centre

• Entrance is by a ramp with a handrail on one side.
• Step-free, level access throughout with carpet tiles.
• Good lighting.
• Staff available to assist.

Car parking

• 60 spaces 3 Blue Badge spaces
• Blue Badge spaces are 50m from the Gatehouse entrance.
• Blue Badge Space further down the drive towards The Lodge house
• Compacted stone surface
• No lighting
• No formal drop-off point

Nature trails access

• The path from the Visitor centre and shop, past the hide and to The Lodge house and around the gardens is on level, although at times slightly uneven ground. Other paths will have steeper, stepped sections and are not suitable for mobility vehicles and most prams.
• Trails can be steeply undulating, with raised tree roots, stepped sections, with some hard sand paths on the level. Seating is provided throughout the reserve. Information provided along trails can be read from a child’s eye/seated position.

Viewing points

• One hide with an entry ramp has large windows and moveable seats.

Dogs

• Registered Assistance Dogs welcome.
• No other dogs are permitted on trails, except the public bridleway.
• A water bowl is available at the Gatehouse

Downloads

Find out more about the accessibility of The Lodge. PDF, 51Kb

THE LODGE ACCESS STATEMENT