Nature Discovery Centre

The Nature Discovery Centre offers a great day out for all the family

The Nature Discovery Centre is packed full of interactive wildlife and natural history displays. There is a network of footpaths ranging from small family-friendly walks to longer paths for the more adventurous. Surrounded by a mosaic of different habitats, there is fantastic wildlife to see all year round.

Where to find us

We are located between Thatcham and Newbury, a short distance off the A4 at:

Nature Discovery Centre, Muddy Lane, Lower Way, Thatcham, Berkshire, RG19 3FU

Find us on Google Maps or What3Words: shadow.statue.hello

Download a map and directions

Tel: 01635 874381

Email: ndc@bbowt.org.uk

Opening times

Monday: Closed except during school holidays
Tuesday-Sunday: 10am-4pm for the Visitor Centre, shop and toilets (Café: 10am-3.30pm)

Facilities include:

• Lakeside café offering delicious hot and cold refreshments
• Gift shop with a great range of wildlife themed gifts, toys and books
• Venue hire for special occasions, meetings and conferences
• Adventure Playgrounds
• Picnic facilities
• Toilets, disabled toilets and baby changing
• Signposted walk routes and seasonal Wildlife Discovery Trail
• Thatcham Community Orchard

Get the most from your visit
 

Access

The centre, cafe and toilets are wheelchair accessible. The Red Trail around the lake is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs; a mobility Tramper vehicle is available to borrow free of charge on a first come, first served basis. Click here to book the Tramper or call 01635 874381 for same-day reservations.

Ash dieback

A programme of ash dieback safety work is taking place at this site. Diseased ash trees can become very unstable and BBOWT is employing specialist contractors to fell or reduce diseased trees where they pose a risk to public safety. The work is being planned and timed to minimise the impact on wildlife. Healthy trees will be retained, and trees and shrubs will be allowed to naturally regenerate in the felled areas. To minimise the number of trees we need to remove and to ensure the safety of visitors, some paths or areas of the reserve will be closed.

To find out more, read our ash dieback FAQs.

Walking information

Gentle slopes, gates, benches, and unsurfaced paths may become muddy in wet weather. There are trails suitable for all abilities.

Volunteer-led walks around the reserve help visitors learn about what birds they can see and hear during their visit. Check below for upcoming bird walks.