BBOWT Nature Discovery Centre (NDC) at Thatcham. Picture: Jo Thrussell
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
Tel: 01635 874381
Email: ndc@bbowt.org.uk
Opening times
Tuesday - Sunday, 10am-4:30pm for the Visitor Centre, shop and toilets (café: 10am-4pm)
Reed bunting by Amy Lewis
Discover fantastic wildlife
Find out more
Reserve and trails map
Please note: there is no longer a bird hide at Thatcham Reedbeds
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.
Bringing your dog
Dogs are welcome on the reserve, but please keep them out of the lake. We ask that you keep dogs under close control at all times. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome inside the visitor centre.
Birds at the Nature Discovery Centre
Throughout the year, one of our volunteers surveys the species of bird found on site. Click below for a list of birds that can be seen across the seasons.
Bird list 2023 (Excel)
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.
What's on at The Nature Discovery Centre
Nature Tots - Nature Discovery Centre, Thursday 18 July
Nature Discovery Centre ,
Thatcham, Berkshire
Summer Holiday Day Camp – The Incredible World of Invertebrates - Nature Discovery Centre, Tuesday 30 July
Nature Discovery Centre ,
Thatcham, Berkshire
