Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Telephone: 01206 738172
Email: Click here
Opening: Tuesday - Sunday 9.00am - 5.00pm plus Bank Holiday Mondays, but closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day
Address: Church Rd, Layer-de-la-Haye, Colchester, CO2 0EU
Grid ref: TL 963 184
Booking essential for all except free events
A wetland site of international importance for wildfowl. The site offers excellent birdwatching opportunities and fabulous views over the 1200 acre reservoir. There are facilities for the disabled in the Visitor Centre and boardwalk access to 2 of the 5 hides.
The Visitor Centre is 6 miles SW of Colchester on the B1026 (a minor road linking Colchester and Maldon) just S of Layer de la Haye - follow the brown and white "Wildfowl Centre" signs.
For more about the visitor centre click here
Booking is essential for most centre events, so make sure you call or visit the centre in advance to avoid disappointment.
View our upcoming events
Tue 2nd Mar 2010 Wed 3rd Mar 2010 Thu 4th Mar 2010 Fri 5th Mar 2010 Sat 6th Mar 2010 Sun 7th Mar 2010 10:00-16:00 Optics Day March at Abberton Are you just starting out in birdwatching and don't know where to begin, looking to upgrade those old binoculars or thinking about getting your first telescope? Come along to Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre and let our friendly Optics Team help and advise you. Our range of binoculars, telescopes, tripods and accessories, carefully selected for quality, price and value for money, will be on display so you can try before you buy. Special offers and some secondhand available. Admission Free. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Tue 9th Mar 2010 Wed 10th Mar 2010 Thu 11th Mar 2010 Fri 12th Mar 2010 Sat 13th Mar 2010 Sun 14th Mar 2010 10:00-15:00 Birding Day Out March Join our expert leader for a day of field trips to various local sites. We'll use our up-to-date local knowledge to take you to the best places and see the best birds. Numbers are limited so please book early. Donation £20 per person. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre Sat 20th Mar 2010 10:00-16:00 Optics Day at Abberton March Are you just starting out in birdwatching and don't know where to begin, looking to upgrade those old binoculars or thinking about getting your first telescope? Come along to Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre and let our friendly Optics Team help and advise you. Our range of binoculars, telescopes, tripods and accessories, carefully selected for quality, price and value for money, will be on display so you can try before you buy. Special offers and some secondhand available. Admission Free. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre Thu 1st Apr 2010 10:30-14:00 Family Nature Day Bird and Bug Bonanza Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre Fri 2nd Apr 2010 10:30-14:00 Family Nature Day Abberton Easter Fun Day Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre Sun 4th Apr 2010 10:00-16:00 Optics Day April Are you just starting out in birdwatching and don't know where to begin, looking to upgrade those old binoculars or thinking about getting your first telescope? Come along to Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre and let our friendly Optics Team help and advise you. Our range of binoculars, telescopes, tripods and accessories, carefully selected for quality, price and value for money, will be on display so you can try before you buy. Special offers and some secondhand available. Admission free. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Tue 6th Apr 2010 10:00-12:00 Family Nature Day Stream Explorers Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
13:30-15:30 Family Nature Day Shake sweep and roll Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre Wed 7th Apr 2010 10:30-15:30 Wildlife Discovery Day The BIG wild art day Donation £10.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Thu 8th Apr 2010 10:30-14:00 Family Nature Day Finding Furry Creatures Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre Fri 9th Apr 2010 10:30-14:00 Family Nature Day Kool Kites Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre Tue 13th Apr 2010 10:30-15:30 Wildlife Discovery Day Basic Bushcraft Donation £10.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Wed 14th Apr 2010 10:00-12:00 Family Nature Day Natural Arts Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre 13:30-15:30 Family Nature Day Spotters Afternoon Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre Thu 15th Apr 2010 10:30-14:00 Family Nature Day Springtastic bugs and ponds Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre Fri 16th Apr 2010 10:30-14:00 Family Nature Day Stream Dippers Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre Sat 17th Apr 2010 10:00-16:00 April Optics Day Are you just starting out in birdwatching and don't know where to begin, looking to upgrade those old binoculars or thinking about getting your first telescope? Come along to Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre and let our friendly Optics Team help and advise you. Our range of binoculars, telescopes, tripods and accessories, carefully selected for quality, price and value for money, will be on display so you can try before you buy. Special offers and some secondhand available. Admission free. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre Sat 24th Apr 2010 4:30-7:00 Dawn Chorus at Abberton Get up early and join our friendly leaders as we watch the reservoir and its wildlife waking up. Experience bird song at its best and identify the songsters before returning to the Visitor Centre for a barbeque breakfast. Booking in advance is essential. £10 donation. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Tue 27th Apr 2010 19:30-21:00 Nightingale Walk 1 Let our leader guide you on an evening excursion around the nature reserve to listen to the beautiful song of nightingales and learn more about them. Hot chocolate to finish! £5 donation. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Thu 29th Apr 2010 19:30-21:00 Nightingale Walk 2 Let our leader guide you on an evening excursion around the nature reserve to listen to the beautiful song of nightingales and learn more about them. Hot chocolate to finish! £5 donation. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre Sat 1st May 2010 4:30-7:00 Abberton Dawn Chorus Get up early and join our friendly leaders as we watch the reservoir and its wildlife waking up. Experience bird song at its best and identify the songsters before returning to the Visitor Centre for a barbeque breakfast. Booking in advance is essential. £10 donation. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Sun 2nd May 2010 10:00-16:00 Optics Day May Are you just starting out in birdwatching and don't know where to begin, looking to upgrade those old binoculars or thinking about getting your first telescope? Come along to Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre and let our friendly Optics Team help and advise you. Our range of binoculars, telescopes, tripods and accessories, carefully selected for quality, price and value for money, will be on display so you can try before you buy. Special offers and some secondhand available. Admission free. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre Mon 3rd May 2010 10:00-16:00 Explore Find and Make Explore, Find and Make at Abberton Reservoir Nature Reserve. Follow the trail and make a wild souvenir. Drop in anytime. Donation £2.00 per child. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre Wed 5th May 2010 19:30-21:00 Nightingale Walk 3 Let our leader guide you on an evening excursion around the nature reserve to listen to the beautiful song of nightingales and learn more about them. Hot chocolate to finish! £5 donation. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre Fri 7th May 2010 19:30-21:00 Nightingale Walk 4 Let our leader guide you on an evening excursion around the nature reserve to listen to the beautiful song of nightingales and learn more about them. Hot chocolate to finish! £5 donation. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre Sat 15th May 2010 10:00-16:00 May Optics Day Are you just starting out in birdwatching and don't know where to begin, looking to upgrade those old binoculars or thinking about getting your first telescope? Come along to Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre and let our friendly Optics Team help and advise you. Our range of binoculars, telescopes, tripods and accessories, carefully selected for quality, price and value for money, will be on display so you can try before you buy. Special offers and some secondhand available. Admission free. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre 10:00-12:00 Bird Song for Beginners Learn more about birds and bird song and how to identify the singers as our guide leads you on a walk round the reserve. £5 donation. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Tue 1st Jun 2010 10:30-14:00 Family Nature Day Mega Minibeasts Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Wed 2nd Jun 2010 10:00-12:00 Family Nature Day Abberton Stream Explorers Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
13:30-15:30 Family Nature Day See smell hear and touch wildlife Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Thu 3rd Jun 2010 10:30-15:00 Wildlife Discovery Day Mini and Mega Beast Safari Donation £10.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Fri 4th Jun 2010 10:30-14:00 Family Nature Day Camouflage Kids Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Sat 5th Jun 2010 10:00-17:00 Abberton Reservoir Wildlife and Country Fair Saturday Don't miss our annual wildlife and country fair with lots to see and do for the whole family. Children's activity tent, live animals, bouncy castle, pond dipping, minibeast hunting, face painting and lots more! Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre Sun 6th Jun 2010 10:00-17:00 Abberton Reservoir Wildlife and Country Fair Sunday Don't miss our annual wildlife and country fair with lots to see and do for the whole family. Children's activity tent, live animals, bouncy castle, pond dipping, minibeast hunting, face painting and lots more! Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre |
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