This access statement does not contain personal opinions as to our suitability for those with access needs, but aims to accurately describe the facilities and

services that we offer all our guests/visitors.

Access Statement for Lakenheath Fen nature reserve Introduction

From carrots to cranes in 20 years: The RSPB’s vision for Lakenheath Fen was to provide a safe home for wetland wildlife, especially bitterns and recreate a small part of the once vast East Anglian Fens, which had been lost for over four hundred years. Situated along the River Little Ouse, on the border of Suffolk and Norfolk, Lakenheath Fen is now a haven for wetland species, particularly those that make their home in reedbeds. Bitterns boom once again from deep within the reeds, whilst the constant clamour of bearded tits, and reedbed warblers provide accompaniment to sky-dancing marsh harriers high above. Elusive otters swim in the pools and ditches, while the bugling calls of majestic cranes echo across the reserve. The big skies of these flat lands with their majestic sunrises and sunsets complete the experience of being in a wild wetland. Hides and viewpoints provide great opportunities to see this wildlife and much more besides. The reserve entrance is on the B1112 between Lakenheath and Hockwold. The entrance track leads to a car and coach park and from

there the visitor centre can be accessed on foot. Trails take you through poplar woods, reedbeds and around a section of wet grassland as well as providing access to the Public Footpath along the riverbank where there are views out over the river and washland pools. The visitor centre has modern toilet facilities including provision for wheelchair users. The centre has a tea and coffee machine, cold drinks, and a variety of snacks. Locally made ice cream is available during the summer months. Staff and volunteers in the centre welcome visitors and provide information on the reserve. Further information is available on our website: www.rspb.org.uk/lakenheathfen

We look forward to welcoming you. If you have any queries or require any assistance please phone 01842 863400 or email lakenheath@rspb.org.uk.

Pre- Arrival

The reserve entrance lies on the B1112 between the Lakenheath station railway crossing and the road bridge over the River Little Ouse. The B1112 road past the reserve is uneven in places and has no pavement. For a map and directions on how to reach us please see the 'How to get here' section on our website, which has a link for sat navs. Alternatively you can plan your journey by public transport or car using www.transportdirect.info - simply enter your postcode and ours to get directions.

The nearest railway station is Lakenheath, 500m/0.3 miles away, on the Norwich to Ely line. The service runs a request stop, once in either direction on a Saturday and three times on a Sunday and Bank Holidays. A footpath (640m/0.4 miles) links the visitor centre with Station Road, north of the railway station and from there it is another 150m/146 yards walk to the station.

Brandon Station has a more regular service and is 9 km/ 5.5 miles away from the reserve.

Local taxi firms include: Bob’s Taxis in Hockwold- 01842 828471; Weeting Cars- 01842 810436

Bus stops are in Hockwold (2 km/1.5 miles to the north) and Lakenheath (4.5 km/7 miles to the south). Bus number 145 stops in Hockwold (Thetford to Kings Lynn), the 200 and 201 stop in Lakenheath (Mildenhall to Thetford).

The reserve is signposted with brown highway signs and there are large blue RSPB welcome signs at the entrance itself.

The reserve access track is tarmac before becoming a stone track. It is single track with passing places at regular intervals. There is no pavement but a grass footpath follows the roadway. Wooden animal sculptures visible are along the route.

The reserve itself is open throughout the year. The visitor centre and toilets are open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. The centre is closed between Christmas and New Year but the toilets are only closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Entry to the reserve is free for RSPB members, but there is a car parking charge of £4 per car for non-members. Members should show their membership cards in the visitor centre.

Car Parking Facilities and Arrival

The car park can accommodate a total of 40 cars with additional space in the coach park for another 25 cars or three coaches. A further overflow provides parking for 65 cars. There is no specific drop off point.

Two blue badge parking spaces are located in the car park, 130 m/142 yards from the visitor centre. Further parking for up to six cars can be found close to the first viewpoint at New Fen. These spaces are available for blue badge holders, or those with mobility difficulties. Please ask in the visitor centre, where a pass will be issued and directions given. Passes must be returned to the visitor centre by 4.30pm.

Car parking is £4 for non-members payable in the visitor centre.

Lighting is provided in the car park from dusk until 7pm during the autumn, winter and spring.

The car park surface is loose gravel. The stone pathway between the car park and visitor centre is smooth and level, with no significant gradient.

Visitor Centre

The visitor centre is all on one level, with step free entry and exit, although there is a 15mm/0.59” threshold is present at both doors.

Both entrances are 1,570mm/61.8” wide, and have manually operated double doors opening inwards. One door is usually open with a width of 780mm/30.7”.

A range of visitor information is available, and there are live video images from a nest box camera during the breeding season. There is a touch screen computer with internet access and a variety of video clips and presentations.

Two armchairs overlook the pool and bird feeders. Small upholstered chairs are also available with some small tables.

The centre has three large picture windows, and is evenly lit with overhead spotlights and fluorescent lighting.

A telescope is available for use by visitors in the centre offers views of wildlife.

During opening hours, staff and volunteers at the information desk will be pleased to assist with enquiries, provide information and offer memberships.

Binoculars are available to hire for a fee of £2 per pair.

Children’s explorer’s back-packs are also available to hire for £3, which includes binocular hire.

Wall mounted headphones have an audio commentary with bird song.

There is a hearing induction loop.

There is an annual programme of events. Please check their suitability for your accessibility requirements with our visitor team.

Lakenheath Visitor Centre from the lawn in front

Nature Trails

A variety of trails run throughout the reserve, offering a choice of different lengths and surfaces. The longest circular route is about 5km/3miles, and surfaces are a mix of grass paths or hard tracks. All trails are signposted. Wildlife information boards are provided. Most paths have benches at intervals.

Dedicated pedestrian paths are 1.8m/70” wide. The main vehicle track to New Fen and Joist Fen provides a 0.8m/31.5” wide smooth, stone surface.

At weekends throughout the year, and on weekdays from May to August, volunteer guides offer help and information.

A reserve leaflet map can be downloaded from: http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/lakenheath-map_tcm9-366699.pdf

Access to trails varies throughout the season to prevent disturbance to breeding birds. Staff and volunteers can advise when you visit.

The Public Footpath is a mown grass path grazed by cattle during the late spring and summer. It can be very muddy in wet weather, particularly in the winter. It has three kissing gates, each fitted with a Radar lock for wheelchair access. There is only one bench along the Public Footpath at the wash-land viewpoint.

Brandon Fen Family Trail

The Brandon Fen Family Trail is a choice of two routes, each of around 1.6km/1 mile starting from the visitor centre. One loop, the lower loop, is a rolled stone surface and is accessible for all. The other is a grass path on top of the river flood bank.

This trail incorporates the Wash-land viewpoint which is 200m/218 yards from the visitor centre and can be accessed via a rolled stone surface. A ramp leading to the viewpoint is, at its steepest, a 1:6 gradient and is a mix of stone and grass. The viewpoint has a bench with back support, interpretation and views across the river, flood meadows and pools.

From the viewpoint you can choose to go east or west. Going east takes you along the upper Brandon Fen family trail, which takes you along the grassy Public Footpath, and bends round with the river before reconnecting to the lower trail after about 700m/0.5 mile. There is a rolled stone slope, gradient 1:20 leading off the riverbank and back to the lower trail.

Going west from the viewpoint takes you along the Public Footpath towards the viewpoints at New Fen (870m away/0.5 mile) and Joist Fen (2.4km/1.4 miles away). There is access off the riverbank to each viewpoint. Head back down from the viewpoint and turn left to join the lower Brandon Fen trail, which takes you through reedbed, poplar woods, grazing marsh and an area of sandy Brecks. Seven benches are provided along the lower trail, including five along the track and two with back support on nearby grassy mounds.

The East Wood Trail

Starting at the visitor centre, this 2.3km/1.5miles circular route is a mix of hard stone surface and grass paths. The first section takes you to New Fen viewpoint and is 1.1km/0.7 miles along a hard stone surface, wide enough for one car. The route takes you past the first poplar plantation, East Wood.

There are four benches without back support at regular intervals along this route.

An alternative route starts by the Fen Pools on a mown grass surface. It runs for a short distance parallel to the main track and adds a little extra distance to the overall walk.

The viewpoint is approached by a ramp with a rolled stone surface and 1:15 gradient. On the viewpoint, there are benches with back support and a shelter with information panels.

New Fen viewpoint

From the viewpoint, the circular walk continues a further 1.2km/0.8 miles back to the visitor centre along a mown grass path. North of the viewpoint, there is a connection over a stile and up a short, steep slope to the Public Footpath.

An alternative route from the New Fen viewpoint is a mown grass path, which loops round the reedbed and brings you to the point north of the New Fen viewpoint which links with the public footpath via the stile. This additional loop is approximately 1.6 km/1 mile, and is only open during the autumn and winter.

Main circular trail to Joist Fen Viewpoint

This circular trail forms the longest of our visitor trails, being 5km/3miles from start to finish. At the furthest (halfway) point on the trail is Joist Fen viewpoint, which is 2.5km/1.5 miles from the visitor centre, and 1.3km/0.8 miles from New Fen viewpoint.

Most of the trail is along a surfaced track, which on one side has a 0.8m/31.5” wide smooth surface of rolled stone suitable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, or pushchairs.

Between New Fen and Joist Fen, there are three benches (with no back support), and the Trial wood viewpoint, which has a bench with back support.

The Trail wood viewpoint is 450m/0.3 miles from the New Fen Viewpoint and is accessed by a short, quite steep grassy slope.

Our traditional bird watching hide, Mere Hide, is slightly further on from the Trial Wood viewpoint, and is accessed via a rolled stone path and short length (120m/131 yards) of boardwalk.

Rejoining the main trail and turning left, you shortly arrive at a junction where you can continue along the main rolled stone path, or branch off to the right along a mown grass path. Turning left at the end of the grass path will take you to the viewpoint, while turning right will take you up onto the Public Footpath.

Joist Fen viewpoint has views over the western part of the reserve, which is dedicated to wildlife and has no public access other than along the public footpath. There are benches with back support, a thatched shelter with space for wheelchairs, and information panels.

From Joist Fen viewpoint, you can either retrace your steps back through the reserve to the visitor centre, or carry on along a mown grass track to the Public Footpath north of the

viewpoint. There is a short ramp with a gradient of 1:7 up to the Public Footpath, which is mown grass and can sometimes be muddy. There are two kissing gates along the Public Footpath on the way back to the visitor centre.

Once near the visitor centre, there is another ramp off the Public Footpath with a gradient of 1:4, or alternatively there are some steps. At the bottom of the riverbank, there is an additional kissing gate.

The Trial Wood trail

This is a circular walk of 1.3km/1 mile around the second poplar plantation (Trial Wood). This is a mown grass path that takes you along and through the wood, rejoining the main trail near the beginning of West Wood. It can be used as an alternative route to Joist Fen by turning left at the end, or as a loop back to New Fen.

A short slope takes you off the southern bank and into the wood. A bench without back support can be found at the bottom of the slope.

Viewing Facilities

Specific viewing facilities are provided at six locations throughout the reserve:

Visitor centre: Three picture windows overlooking the wooden decked veranda and pool. At each side of the pool near the centre are bird feeders on posts which attract birds year round. The veranda is accessible even when the centre is closed (from 5pm until 9am).

Wash-land Viewpoint: This is situated on top of the riverbank on the Public Footpath. The viewpoint is 200m/218 yards from the visitor centre, and can be accessed via a rolled stone surface. A ramp leading to the viewpoint is, at its steepest, a 1:6 gradient and is a mix of stone and grass. The viewpoint has interpretation and views across the river, flood meadows and pools. From the viewpoint, you can choose to go east or west

along the grassy Public Footpath. Going east takes you around a bend in the river and reconnects to Brandon Family Trail after 700m. Heading west takes you towards the viewpoints at New Fen (870m/0.54 miles away) and Joist Fen (2.4km/1.5 miles away). There is access off the riverbank to each viewpoint.

New Fen Viewpoint: Sited on a grass mound, this viewpoint overlooks the first main area of reed, New Fen North. It is accessed via a 1:15 slope, surfaced with rolled stone. There are benches on both sides of the shelter, and spaces for wheelchairs. Information panels are provided. Three benches next to the viewpoint offer additional seating but are exposed to the weather. Distance: 1.1km/ 0.68 miles on hard stone surface. Permits from visitor centre allow Blue Badge holders vehicular access (limited to six cars).

Trial Wood Viewpoint: This is a raised mound on the south side of the main track between New Fen and Joist Fen viewpoints. There is a bench with back support. It has a short, steep grass surfaced access ramp. Distance 1.45km/0.9 miles from the visitor centre on a hard stone surface

Mere Hide: Situated within the New Fen South reedbed overlooking two small pools. It is a traditional birdwatching hide with moveable benches inside and one bay suitable for wheelchair users. It has four raisable windows facing forwards and one window in each of the side walls. Access is via a stone track off the main track which then runs into a boardwalk down to the hide. Distance: 1.74km/1.1 miles or just over a mile from the visitor centre, 1.62km/1 mile on rolled stone, 120m/131 yards of boardwalk.

Mere Hide entrance

Joist Fen Viewpoint: This shelter is situated on a grassy mound, and overlooks the main area of reedbed recreation. The approach is a 1:15 grass slope. Benches are provided on both sides of the shelter with gaps for wheelchair use: there are also six benches outside of the shelter. Information panels are provided. Distance: 2.5 km/1.5 miles from visitor centre on hard stone surface. Longer alternative route on mown grass.

Public Toilets

The toilets are on the same level as the visitor centre and have a 15mm/0.59” threshold below the door. There are three toilets- a ladies, a gents and an accessible toilet with baby changing facilities.

Door openings are 770mm/30.3” for the ladies and gents and 880mm/34.6” for the accessible toilet.

For the accessible toilet there is clear transfer space to the left of the toilet of 780mm/30.7”. The toilet is 480mm/18.9” high. There are horizontal and vertical handrails to the right of the

toilet and a horizontal and pull down rail to the left. There is an emergency pull cord in the disabled toilet. The baby changing facilities are a large pull down, easy to open, wall mounted table but is not accessible from a seated position.

The lighting is fluorescent tubes in all the toilets and is on a motion sensor with a timer so cuts out after a few minutes without motion in the facilities. Motion sensor operated hot air hand dryers are fitted in all of the toilet rooms.

The toilets are tiled throughout.

The ladies and gentlemen’s facilities have twist taps, while the accessible facilities have lever operated taps.

Catering

Self service hot and cold drinks, snacks and ice creams (during warmer weather) are available in the visitor centre, money is taken by staff or volunteers at the till on the reception desk.

Hot food with sit-down service is available from Bloomsbury’s cafe at the Christmas Hill Farm Shop (0.8km/0.5 miles) or the New Inn or Red Lion pubs in nearby Hockwold (2 km/1.5 miles).

Education Centre / Classrooms

Half of the visitor centre can be partitioned off as a classroom with a level tiled floor. Lighting is from a mix of natural light from windows with fluorescent and spot lights. There is a hearing induction loop.

There is a dipping platform outside the centre. It has three small jetties out into the pool. It is a wooden surface and has a kerb around the water’s edge. Nets and trays are available from the centre for self-guided sessions.

Picnic Area

There are five picnic tables located on the main track between the car park and the visitor centre. Two of the picnic tables have two slots each for wheelchairs. Visitors are welcome to bring their own food and refreshments with them.

Contact Information

Address: RSPB Lakenheath Fen, Station Road, Lakenheath, Brandon, Suffolk, IP27 9AD Telephone: 01842 863400 Email: lakenheath@rspb.org.uk Website: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/l/lakenheathfen/index.aspx Grid reference: TL 696 859 Hours of operation: 9 am to 5pm for the visitor centre and toilets. Dawn to dusk for the reserve itself. Accessible taxi: Bob’s Taxis in Hockwold. Tel. 01842 828471; Weeting Cars Tel. 01842 810436