General FAQ

Pensthorpe allows free entrance to all essential carers when accompanying a full paying person who is physically or mentally impaired who would not otherwise be able to visit the site.

An essential carer is somebody who provides help and support to another individual who could not manage without their help.  This could be due to age, physical or mental illness, or disability.

There are many things to do at Pensthorpe.  Take a leisurely stroll on one of our many walks, watch wildlife from one of our hides or sit back and enjoy the Wensum Discovery Tour* which takes you out to parts of the estate you wouldn't normally gain access to.  Learn more about our conservation projects with Red Squirrels, Corncrakes and Cranes.   Delight at our three fantastic gardens providing year round interest.  Children can enjoy becoming bug detectives on our bug walk, discover underwater wildlife pond dipping or collect all the stamps and find all the facts on our wildlife tracker trail.   Finish your visit in our diversely stocked shop or relax with a refreshing beverage in the courtyard cafe.

*Seasonal attraction, charges apply

Millennium Garden, Wave Garden, Habitat Garden

The reserve has designated paths for wheelchairs / pushchairs. Please look at our map where the accessible path is highlighted in purple click here for map. Paths on the far sides of the reserve are only accessible via kissing gates and are not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Click for Disabled access report.

Binoculars can be hired form the shop for £1.00 for the day with a returnable £10.00 deposit.

Bags of feed can be purchased in the shop to feed the water fowl on the lakes. There is no feeding permitted in the aviaries. Please note in summer that we ration the number of bags that can be given to the ducks - due to potential over feeding.

Not to be missed The Wensum Discovery tour . Is a Land rover and trailer tour lasting approximately 1 hour. It takes you through areas of the estate not usually accessible to the general public, the journey is narrated by one of our experienced wardens who will give you an insight in to the past, present and future of Pensthorpe while showing you the differing landscapes and wildlife the Reserve has to offer. Tour costs . Please not that the tour is Seasonal and only operates from Easter to October and has a limited capacity. Tour times vary.

We only take bookings on the tour for groups of 15 and over. These pre bookings have to be paid in full in advance and are non refundable if cancelled within 24 hours of the tour. All other bookings are taken on a first come first serve basis . Bookings can be made at the main till in the shop.

Yes. Read more on the Wensum Discover Tour here.

Yes - Our fantastic cafe, open 9.00am - 5.00pm (9am - 4pm Jan / Feb) Take a look at our eating page.

Yes we do...

They make the perfect gift for garden, bird and nature lovers or as a family present. They are available in denominations of £10 & £20 and can be used against admission in to the Reserve or in the shop and cafe.  You can purchase a gift voucher either in the shop or by calling 01328 851465 and paying by card over the phone.

Yes you can, we will need to know their name and contact details to make out a card for them.  Membership Form

Unfortunately Cycles are not permitted within the reserve but cyclists are very welcome to visit our cafe.

Watch the wildlife from the comfort of our Viewing Gallery. If you get caught in the reserve we have 8 hides where you can shelter from the rain and a gazebo in the Millennium Garden.

You can find a comments book in the viewing gallery or you can fill in one of our Questionnaires and leave in the box provided in the shop or send it back to us via the free post address. Alternatively you can e-mail us on info@pensthorpe.com

We hold lost property for up to one month, please either e-mail us on info@pensthorpe.com or call 01328 863628 and ask to be put through to 'lost property' in the shop.

Accommodation we recommend.