RSPB Langford Lowfields Nature Reserve

Opening Times- Dawn til Dusk

Sitting beside the River Trent, Langford Lowfields is already attracting fantastic wetland wildlife, including sand martins, cuckoos and hobbies in the spring, and large starling roosts, bitterns and flocks of wildfowl in the winter. Otters can sometimes also be seen and colourful butterflies can be spotted in the summer. The RSPB and Tarmac are working in partnership at Langford Lowfields, carrying out a huge restoration project to transform the sand and gravel quarry into the largest reedbed in the East Midlands. 

There are several walking routes around the reserve. From the car park, you will head along a woodland path, and down a long public footpath alongside the fenced in private conservation area. You will reach a gate on the left which will lead you into the reserve to the RSPB hut. 

Langford Lowfields Trail- 4.5 miles

This route is around 2 hours and takes you around the entire reserve boundary, following the public footpath. This walk provides great opportunities to see a range of wildlife and past a viewing screen looking out over the reserve. It also links up with the Trent Valley Way, taking in the wetland landscape along the river. 

Cromwell Trail- 1 mile (note, the floating bridge is currently closed due to damage caused by flooding). 

This is a 1 mile, 30 minute circular walk starting from the RSPB beach hut. It meanders around the wetlands and crosses an exciting boardwalk and floating bridge that cuts across the middle of the reedbed (currently closed due to damage caused by flooding). The walk will take you up to the 360 degree viewing screen, where you will also find seating and a picnic bench. 

North Trail- 1.5 miles

This 1.5 mile, 45 minute circular walk starts from the RSPB beach hut and follows the grassland trail, which in summer is fringed with beautiful wildflowers. It takes you to the northernmost point of the reserve close to the River Trent. 

Trent Valley Way

The Trent Valley way follows the course of the River Trent, from close to its source at Biddulph Moor in Staffordshire, to Alkborough on the Humber Estuary- a distance of 166 miles. 

Sutrans 64

The Sustrans 64 is a fantastic countryside trail, good for cycling, connecting Nottingham and Lincoln. It passes by RSPB Langford Lowfields. 

Admission

Entrance is free. If you use the carpark, please leave a donation in the donation post to contribute to the RSPB's important conservation work. (Suggested donation is £1 for 1 hour, £2 for 2 hours). RSPB members display your RSPB membership card on your dashboard. 

Accessibility

There is a public footpath from the carpar, through the woodland and along the boundary path. The path around the reserve is mostly well trodden grassy paths, so an all terrain buggy would be most suitable. 

Dogs

With the exception of registered assistance dogs, dogs are only allowed on the public footpaths, and not within the reserve boundary.

Equipment Hire

For a small charge you can hire a pond dipping kit from the beach hut when it is open.