Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham: Hours, Address, Nature Discovery Centre Reviews: 4.5/5
Nature Discovery Centre
Nature Discovery Centre
4.5
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Nature Discovery Centre is a visitor centre on a nature reserve on the outskirts of Thatcham, Berkshire. This fantastic visitor 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, and the bird hide offers a perfect opportunity to watch the world go by. We also have a Lakeside Cafe where you can enjoy hot and cold homemade food and drinks looking out over the lake.
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Popular mentions
4.5
231 reviews
Excellent
124
Very good
87
Average
14
Poor
2
Terrible
4
Angie G
Brighton, UK29 contributions
Dec 2021 • Solo
More of a place for families with 2 large playgrounds and a large cafe terrace, not really for serious bird watching. Signage on long walk to canal very poor
Written 24 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Gill T
60 contributions
Oct 2021
What a beautiful place and lovely to go somewhere where dogs cannot run free.
Amazing quality in the cafe and particularly friendly staff everywhere.
Highly recommended.
Amazing quality in the cafe and particularly friendly staff everywhere.
Highly recommended.
Written 3 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Donna S
7 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
We haven’t visited for a while, and was lovely as ever. Beautiful walk around the lake, good signage. Some of the paths around the main lake are slightly narrow and could do with cutting back nettles, but that’s the joys of being within nature. Plenty of breeds of ducks to see. Lovely cafe with lots of treats. Two great play parks. Plenty of parking. Will be back.
Written 25 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
sudsey21
Hampshire, UK180 contributions
Jul 2021
Loved this place so quiet enchanting wild life is brilliant lots of different walks and a cafe all brilliant
Written 30 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
annie20061
Tidworth, UK829 contributions
Feb 2021 • Couples
Living within walking distance of the lakes, we went when it snowed to have a look around and have our daily walk. It was quiet there. There is nothing open but you can walk around the lakes. Beautiful in the snow. We visit here quite often for walks or on our bikes.
Written 14 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Christine E
6 contributions
Dec 2020 • Friends
Starling Murmurations.
Just been this afternoon and were treated to a fantastic spectacle of Nature. Thousands of starlings dancing in the sky. Wonderful experience.
Just been this afternoon and were treated to a fantastic spectacle of Nature. Thousands of starlings dancing in the sky. Wonderful experience.
Written 29 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
T and V
Basingstoke, UK10 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
Enjoyable walks available around the lake and canal...plenty of ducks and geese...good play area for kids..nice little cafe..
Written 9 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Hayley-Ann
Berkshire, UK80 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
I’ve been coming here for a while now, even more so since my son has reached an age where he enjoys walks more than ever. It’s a great place to visit, easy parking available with charity donation parking machines. There is 2 parks, one for younger children and one for older children both of which are great! There is toilets at the entrance of the centre. From the moment you arrive you’re greeted by beautiful scenery and stunning views. There are all sorts of beautiful trees, at this time of year it’s full of daffodils and flowering cherry blossom trees. There are swans and different types of ducks, it’s really beautiful. Perfect picnic areas, perfect for families, couples and dog lovers!
Written 16 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Lorraine P
Thatcham, UK19 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
We go here often, sometimes to walk or cycle round the lake, other times just for a cup of tea and a sandwich! The staff are friendly and the tea and food are good as well. My favourite at the moment is their Brie and Cranberry Panini!
Written 14 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Stephen W
13 contributions
Feb 2020
My favourite place for a walk to get peace of mind and see some wildlife, possibly very close up if you are there early in the morning. Theres plenty of water birds to watch on the lake and the canal and sometimes a deer in the woods. Also plenty of dog walkers.
Written 5 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Can you still walk around the lake during lockdown?
Love a weekend away
Thatcham, UK49 contributions
Yes
Is this place wheelchair friendly?
Nikitriaone
London, UK237 contributions
Yes - and I believe you can access the cafe and centre by a ramp. There are areas around the lake paths which may prove slightly trickier as they are tracks but you would be able to go most of the way round by wheelchair.
Discover534216
2 contributions
Are dogs on leads allowed
Sweets51
Hailsham, UK67 contributions
Yes again on a lead.
C D
Newbury6 contributions
Does the cafe accept card payments?
spiceysam33
Essex, UK127 contributions
Yes over £5 contactless too!
Are dogs allowed?
Berks Bucks Oxo... W
Oxford, UK2 contributions
Dogs are permitted on site. We encourage responsible dog ownership, so to echo previous points please keep your dog under control at all times, and preferably on a lead near the building. Dogs are not permitted in the children's play areas and of course, please pick up after your dog.
The walk around the Discovery Centre itself may take about 20 minutes but if you go further afield around the reedbeds and the canal your walk will be about an hour.
Liz Shearer
Nature Discovery Centre Manager
Are dogs allowed?
Richard477
Reading, UK28 contributions
We saw people taking dogs for walks round the lake and a longer walk. They should be kept from chasing ducks though. Some have ducklings.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nature Discovery Centre
- Nature Discovery Centre is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:30 - 17:00
- Hotels near Nature Discovery Centre:
- (1.41 km) Regency Park Hotel
- (3.56 km) Newbury Town Centre South (A339) Hotel
- (1.53 km) Newbury Manor Hotel
- (6.23 km) The Vineyard Hotel & Spa
- (3.08 km) The Hatchet Inn
- Restaurants near Nature Discovery Centre:
- (0.45 km) The Gardeners Retreat
- (2.70 km) Spotted Dog
- (0.58 km) Garden Centre
- (3.07 km) Henry & Joe's
- (1.33 km) Bella Luna