Family days out – so much to see and do in the countryside at RSPB Leighton Moss in north-west England

Described as one of the friendliest places to visit, RSPB Leighton Moss, is wonderful at any time of the year.

A haven for wildlife, nesting birds, migrating birds, flowers, butterflies and dragonflies, it’s a place to discover and get up close to nature.

This Lancashire nature reserve is a wetland paradise and boasts the largest reedbed in north-west England. Here a host of wildlife can be found among the reedbeds, on the pools and in the woodland. Explore a bit further and visit the Saltmarsh hides.

Look to the skies

Watch Swallows, Swifts, House Martins and Sand Martins as they skim just above the water or swoop into the air, catching insects on the wing. If you are lucky, you may spot the fast moving and incredibly agile Hobby hunting for dragonflies.

Down by the water you’ll hear the reeds rustling in the wind as you wander around. Here there’s a good chance of spotting a Marsh Harrier or Bittern or you might get a glimpse of an Otter or Red Deer.

“Summer is a really good time to spot Osprey, as their youngsters have fledged and they’ll all be out – sometimes you can see five or six out fishing,” said Kath Smith, Visitor Experience Manager.

Well-marked trails will guide you around the site, and there are bird hides where you can quietly watch the wildlife and birdlife around you without disturbing their peace. You’ll find excellent information inside the hides to help guide you for what to look out for and how to spot different birds and animals.

And don’t miss the 9m-high Sky Tower with its incredible panoramic views over the different areas of the reserve and nearby Morecambe Bay.

On a hot day there’s a cool walk under the trees, and plenty of shady or sunny picnic spots – it’s a fantastic place to make a day of it with the family. Hire a pond dipping kit and discover what fascinating creatures lurk in the pond.

Just a 5 minutes’ drive from the main reserve is the Saltmarsh car park. An easy walk takes you to two hides, from which you can see Avocets and Spoonbills.

Visit England Gold Award

Leighton Moss has been awarded the prestigious Visit England Gold award, meeting the highest standards for visitor experience, facilities, and service quality.

“We have a fantastic team here,” said Kath. “There is always someone around to welcome visitors and give hints and tips on what to see and do. Our volunteers can help visitors identify the birds, animals and flowers and will be able to tell them if anything of special interest has been spotted that day.”

Facilities at Leighton Moss

· Café – stop for a cuppa and cake, snack or lunch

· Tramper hire – All-terrain mobility scooters are available for hire (bookable in advance)

· Accessible Toilets – there are accessible toilets alongside other toilet facilities on site plus baby-changing rooms

· Pushchair Accessible

· Wheelchair Accessible

· Dogs – dogs are not allowed on the main reserve, to protect wildlife and nesting birds, nor in the café. But they can visit the wildflower garden, picnic area and shop. A dog friendly path can be followed to Causeway.

· Assistance Dogs – assistance dogs are welcome at the centre and in the café.

· Family Trails – explore the reserve via family-friendly routes, and a free quiz sheet to help youngsters explore.

· Parking

· Picnic areas

What’s on for summer 2026

Throughout the summer visitors can gain full access to the site, free family trail packs will help guide younger ones round the site with a fun quiz – they’ll even get a graduation certificate at the end, and this is free with admission.

Kids, and the grown-ups, will love pond-dipping. Hire a net and receive guidance on what to look for among the freshwater ponds. The ponds are a haven for minibeasts such as damselfly nymphs, backswimmers and various water beetles.

Book for one of the special events and you could be bat detecting at dusk or turn up early for the best chance of seeing red deer.

Here’s a taste of the special events planned:

Summer local makers market - : Saturday 18 July 10am – 4pm Local artists and makers will be showcasing their lovingly made products to Leighton Moss visitors. All items will be available to purchase on site and the makers would all love to talk about their inspirations and how they create such incredible works.

Meet the moths - Sat Aug 15 10am to midday (included in admission) Leighton Moss is a terrific home for moths with almost 600 different species recorded and new ones found each year. Moths found overnight on the reserve and nearby will be on view for those who want to learn more about these fascinating insects. The moth trap will be opened at 10am and will include a short introductory talk. No need to book just drop in!

Bats of Leighton Moss - guided experience -Friday 28 August 2026 - 20:00 to 21:30 (£7 - £16) Suitable for age 8 or over Use bat detectors to try to locate some of the six species of bat which live on or visit the site. A local bat expert will guide you to the best spots and help you pick out the different noises and behaviours of bats.

Bird watching for beginners - Saturday 29 August 07:30 - 09:30 (£13 - £16) If you’re new to birdwatching or don’t know where to start with buying binoculars, this guided walk is for you. A knowledgeable guide will lead you around the reserve dropping into bird hides and other hot spots of activity giving top tips along the way.

Essential information

RSPB Leighton Moss is open from dawn to dusk, as is the car park. The toilets, shop, cafe and visitor centre are open from 9.30am to 5pm every day. There is an admission fee for non-members, RSPB members get in for free.

For more information, visit their website and follow them on Facebook @RSPBLeightonMoss for details of the latest events.