Rushmere Country Park
Rushmere Country Park
4
About
Over 400 acres of woodland, heathland and meadows for all to enjoy, with heronry visible from the Visitor Centre providing a secure breeding ground for around ten pairs of grey herons each spring. Woodland walks with fairy trail, Giant's Chair, family cycling and horse-riding routes, dogs welcome. Tree Tops cafe situated in the Visitor Centre. We run a number of events throughout the year - see our website for details. Rushmere Country Park is managed by The Greensand Trust on a not for profit basis - all funds raised are invested into the running of the park.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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4.0
421 reviews
Excellent
219
Very good
124
Average
36
Poor
22
Terrible
20
helen c
Derbyshire, UK8 contributions
Jul 2023
the parking has to be done on an app-you dont pay for the parking til you're leaving-this isnt mentioned til your leaving-you need to give all your bank details and emails etc for £2!!! my grown sons hated the app!
on our visit, the park was packed to the gills with coachloads of school kids so any wildlife had disappeared and the teachers told them to put all their bags on every seat along the main trail! (the grandparents with us were extra happy about that!)
we yomped down a steep hill to feed the ducks(with special duck food we'd bought) and see the dragonflies which was nice but the cafe is abysmal and so overpriced it almost ruined the trip-"yay we're getting icecream and seeing the herons"- err nope no icecream and what was available were disgustingly priced and we live on the outskirts of London so are used to eye watering !
as for 'herons', no sight, bird feeders empty and didnt look like they'd been filled in a long time-
on our visit, the park was packed to the gills with coachloads of school kids so any wildlife had disappeared and the teachers told them to put all their bags on every seat along the main trail! (the grandparents with us were extra happy about that!)
we yomped down a steep hill to feed the ducks(with special duck food we'd bought) and see the dragonflies which was nice but the cafe is abysmal and so overpriced it almost ruined the trip-"yay we're getting icecream and seeing the herons"- err nope no icecream and what was available were disgustingly priced and we live on the outskirts of London so are used to eye watering !
as for 'herons', no sight, bird feeders empty and didnt look like they'd been filled in a long time-
Written 18 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jon C
Milton Keynes, UK174 contributions
Jul 2023
Lovely this time of year with so many plants, weeds and grasses blossoming and helping all the wildlife. Easy to miss all this happening just under your nose
Written 10 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ACB40_11
London, UK269 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Lovely walk through the park with a cafe at the midpoint
Added bonus of watching the Heron's nesting from the balconies
Helpful volunteers
Added bonus of watching the Heron's nesting from the balconies
Helpful volunteers
Written 16 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DunelmArts
Aberdeen, UK1,130 contributions
Feb 2023
Rushmere has delightful scenic walks, and always attracts a large number of visitors. The cafe however, doesn't live up to the high standards of the rest of the park. The service can be haphazard, the orders muddled and waiting times long. However, if all you want is a cup of tea, the cafe viewing balcony offers marvellous views over the heronry, where at this time of the year, you can watch the herons swooping over the valley to their high tree top nests.
Written 21 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
June H
5 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
Haven’t used the cafe since last year and it was always well run and the breakfast amazing. Don’t know what went on last Sunday, our order was wrong and we ended up waiting for over an hour for food. When it came mine had clearly been sitting under heat and was dry, egg was completely over cooked and the mushrooms were as small as raisins. - £8.99 for this! My guess is that they’d brought out the original veggie breakfast that was part of the earlier order and kept it warm. We’re not people who make a fuss and we were so hungry and fed up that we just ate it. Shame as this is a beautiful setting and we love going to the cafe on a Sunday.
Written 14 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gail V
Hertford, UK10 contributions
Feb 2023
I live fairly locally and purchase a car park pass every year. I visit Stockgrove Park regularly about 3 times a week both on my own with my dog for a quick trip around the lake or with a dog-walking friend when we venture much further, both across to Rushmere side or across the road to Rammamere and Kings Wood.
The cafe at Rushmere has recently started to play piped music on to the decking area. My friend and I asked if the volume could be turned down but apparently this was not possible. Whilst I can understand the requirement for music inside the cafe, playing loud music on the decking area absolutely destroys the enjoyment of listening to the birdsong. I would have thought that viewing the heronry, watching the feeding birds and listening to the birdsong was the main reason for the decking. Please, please turn the speakers off on the decking area and allow us all to listen to the wildlife all around.
The cafe at Rushmere has recently started to play piped music on to the decking area. My friend and I asked if the volume could be turned down but apparently this was not possible. Whilst I can understand the requirement for music inside the cafe, playing loud music on the decking area absolutely destroys the enjoyment of listening to the birdsong. I would have thought that viewing the heronry, watching the feeding birds and listening to the birdsong was the main reason for the decking. Please, please turn the speakers off on the decking area and allow us all to listen to the wildlife all around.
Written 9 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kim T
6 contributions
Nov 2022 • Friends
The park is lovely, sadly the cafe not !
Told to sit outside with our guide dog , order taken after a very long wait drinks arrived & latte cold . Took inside & told well our machine needs replacing ! Food arrived 2 lunches incorrect even tho order was typed into pad & read back . Waitress said I will ask chef if they will change it . ( their mistake) Finally meals arrived with no apology just a chuckle .
For a environmentally friendly company found the napkins sealed with sellotape odd which then tore the napkin. Sadly will NEVER return!!
Told to sit outside with our guide dog , order taken after a very long wait drinks arrived & latte cold . Took inside & told well our machine needs replacing ! Food arrived 2 lunches incorrect even tho order was typed into pad & read back . Waitress said I will ask chef if they will change it . ( their mistake) Finally meals arrived with no apology just a chuckle .
For a environmentally friendly company found the napkins sealed with sellotape odd which then tore the napkin. Sadly will NEVER return!!
Written 27 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AztecLife
United Kingdom899 contributions
Sep 2022
Did a circular walk which included the park.
Having never been before, surprised at how nice it is - loads of paths and space to wander around. Car park seemed busy but didn’t really see that many people.
Toilets, cafe (or space to picnic) and ice cream van (expensive ice creams at £4 each but absolutely delicious and HUGE). Car parking also expensive but we parked in a small free car park about 10 mins up the road by the canal.
Perfect place for a walk and we’ll definitely visit again.
Having never been before, surprised at how nice it is - loads of paths and space to wander around. Car park seemed busy but didn’t really see that many people.
Toilets, cafe (or space to picnic) and ice cream van (expensive ice creams at £4 each but absolutely delicious and HUGE). Car parking also expensive but we parked in a small free car park about 10 mins up the road by the canal.
Perfect place for a walk and we’ll definitely visit again.
Written 4 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debs J
Gambia11 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
A great place go but only three stars because i encountered poor customer service and some visitors I approached for directions we’re unhelpful and rude to people of colour ! Very disappointed and it spoilt my day.
Written 29 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vee F
48 contributions
May 2022 • Friends
Out in the countryside is always a good place to be. I love to be in Rushmere Park with my camera. The birds and squirrels are used to being photographed and get on with life undeterred by visitors. There are many lovely walks. Some around the lake, and others around its rolling hills.
Never miss seeing the 'Living' clock at the top of the hill. I won't explain further so as not to spoil the surprise. Get up there and take a look!
There is a fee for parking, as well as toilets, a cafe, and lots to see in the reception area. On a hot day there's also the customary ice-cream vendor in his van near the cafe.
Dogs are welcome subject to the usual rules, and water bowls are available by the cafe.
Never miss seeing the 'Living' clock at the top of the hill. I won't explain further so as not to spoil the surprise. Get up there and take a look!
There is a fee for parking, as well as toilets, a cafe, and lots to see in the reception area. On a hot day there's also the customary ice-cream vendor in his van near the cafe.
Dogs are welcome subject to the usual rules, and water bowls are available by the cafe.
Written 31 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Natasha B
9 contributions
Wanting to visit with my 2 year old & my dog. are we allowed to do the kids activities with dogs? Like the fairy houses, big chair etc etc are dogs allowed in that section?
Elise
Milton Keynes, UK117 contributions
Yes, dogs are allowed anywhere in the park apart from the cycling and horse routes, the giant chair and fairy houses are along the normal walk routes so the dogs will be fine
Are the mountain bike trails well maintained?
Carolyn L
Leigh-on Sea, UK2 contributions
We like to think so. We have recently put in an enormous amount of work on our jump area in particular working with volunteers from the local mountain biking community. Now that we have all our rangers back on site and have some volunteer tasks resuming we are in a much better position to maintain our trails than we were earlier in the year.
Abbey B
3 contributions
Is this pushchair friendly? Thanks
Carolyn L
Leigh-on Sea, UK2 contributions
We are a natural park with no tarmac paths but we do have two access for all paths leading from both the main Visitor Centre and the Stockgrove Visitor Centre which are wheelchair and buggy friendly.
Many of our visitors come here with buggies. The paths are sandy as we lie on the Greensand Ridge which tends to make them less wet and more accessible but there are steep climbs in some areas.
You can download a copy of our map which shows the Access for all paths on The Greensand Trust website (Trip Advisor does not allow web links I'm afraid).
How much is parking and do you have to pay by cash?
Carolyn L
2 contributions
Yes that's right - parking is £3 payable by cash on exit for now but we are in the process of installing a cashless payment system which we hope to have in operation by the school summer holidays which will make paying a lot easier.
Are we allowed to take our own bbq and bbq
Carolyn L
2 contributions
Yes you can bbq but please follow the guidelines on our website - Trip Advisor will not allow me to post a link but you will find Rushmere under The Greensand Trust - look at facilities and there's page on what is allowed.
Is it wheelchair friendly?
Tara P
Aylesbury, UK34 contributions
Yes, some parts are . I'm sorry for late reply I wasn't notified of question.
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Claim your listingRUSHMERE COUNTRY PARK: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Rushmere Country Park
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