Rutland Water Nature Reserve

Aerial shot of Rutland Water

Credit: Dave Needham 2012

Osprey
(Pandion haliaetus)
female flying to nest with sticks
Dyfi Estuary, Wales, UK

Taken with a Schedule 1 license from CCW - Andy Rouse / 2020VISION

Lyndon Visitor Centre

European Otter
(Lutra lutra)
on river
Wales, UK - Andy Rouse/2020VISION

Rutland Water Nature Reserve is an internationally recognised Site of Special Scientific interest (SSSI), Special Protection Area (SPA) and a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. It is one of the best places to enjoy birds and wildlife in the UK. Search for rare spring migrants, admire fishing ospreys in the summer, enjoy the autumn wader passage and marvel at huge flocks of winter wildfowl. With events year round, walking trails and two visitor centres, you'll be sure of an immersive wildlife experience for the whole family.

Location

Lyndon Visitor Centre
Lyndon Road, Manton, Oakham, Rutland
LE15 8RN

Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre
Egleton, Oakham, Rutland
LE15 8BT
A static map of Rutland Water Nature Reserve

Know before you go

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Entry fee

£8/adult, £7/Concession, £18/Family (This fee includes parking and covers entry to both the Lyndon Visitor Centre and the Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre)
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Parking information

Please use the car park
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Grazing animals

Livestock may be present
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Access

Lyndon Visitor Centre car park and trails are located off the Lyndon Road, on the south shore of Rutland Water. Follow the drive down to the car park. Paths are pushchair friendly.

Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre car park and trails are located on the western side of Rutland Water, near to the village of Egleton. Many of the hides and trails are wheelchair and pushchair friendly, and there is an electric buggy available for hire – please phone ahead to book (01572 770651). 

Dogs

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Please note that Assistance dogs only are permitted at the Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre. 

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Facilities

Visitor centre
Bird hides
Toilets
Shop
Picnic area
Accessible toilet
Baby changing facilities

When to visit

Opening times

Lyndon Visitor Centre:
5th March 2025 to 28th September 2025: Open Daily 9am - 5pm

29th September to 4th March: Lyndon Visitor Centre closed for the winter months.
The car park and gates to the nature reserve will continue to be open throughout the day for permit holders, which can be purchased at the Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre.

Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre:
Open daily throughout the year
9am - 5pm in the summer
9am - 4pm in the winter
Christmas Opening hours:
Closed 24th December - 25th December. Reopen on Boxing Day at 9am.

Best time to visit

All year round

About the reserve

Rutland Water Nature Reserve, and the wider reservoir, is an outstanding haven for wildlife in the heart of England. A network of lagoons and wetlands, including the western tips of both the north and south arms of the reservoir, provide a sanctuary for water birds, birds of prey, woodland wildlife and more. Several reintroduction programmes have proactively restored otherwise rare wildlife, with both ospreys and water voles being introduced to the area.

The reservoir provides one of the most important wildfowl sanctuaries in Great Britain, regularly holding in excess of 25,000 ducks, geese and swans in the winter. it is heavily protected by law, being a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a European Special Protection Area and internationally recognised as a globally important wetland RAMSAR site. 

The nature reserve covers the shoreline and shallow water lagoons along 9 miles of the western end of Rutland Water and covers a total area of 1000 acres. There are over 30 bird watching hides and nature trails from two visitor centres. It is also home to the Rutland Ospreys which in 2001 celebrated the first Osprey chick to fledge in Central England for 150 years.  

A mixture of water levels, habitats and management strategies have led to Rutland Water providing a haven to literally thousands of birds comprising hundreds of species. Check out our guides to springsummerautumn and winter to discover what species you're likely to see at different times of year.

For further information on the two visitor centres, please visit their respective pages:

Lyndon Visitor Centre

Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre

For further information on the reserve, please visit:

Rutland Water Nature Reserve

Download a map of Rutland Water Nature Reserve

Contact us

Contact number: 01572 737378
Contact email: info@lrwt.org.uk

Environmental designation

Ramsar
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
SPA

Entry Fee

You will need to purchase a day permit when visiting either of the two centres. The cost is £8/adult, £7/Concession, £18/Family

This cost includes parking and entry at both the Lyndon Visitor Centre and the Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre.

Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust members can save 10% on a day permit or purchase an annual permit for £55 from either visitor centre, you will need to show your membership card. 

Become a member for exclusive discounts to Rutland Water Nature Reserve

Members of the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust receive a 10% discount on entry to Rutland Water Nature Reserve.

Woman (c) Matthew Roberts

Individual Membership

Individual membership for one person
Bluebells family (c) Tom Marshall

Family Membership

Membership for a family up to two adults and children
Young couple nature watching with a dog in heathland, August (c) Tom Marshall

Joint Membership

Joint membership for two adults