Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
The Forest of Marston Vale Trust
  • Search
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Donate
Menu
  • About us
    • Our Story
    • How we help
    • Community Fund
    • Trustees
    • Our Patron
    • Corporate Friends
  • Explore the Forest
    • Forest Centre and Millennium Country Park
      • Opening Times and Directions
      • The Forest Centre
      • The Millennium Country Park
      • Bike Hire
      • Wetlands Nature Reserve
    • Our Woodlands
    • Walks and Routes
    • Kids and Families
    • Schools
      • Forest School
      • School Visits and Resources
  • Gifts That Give Back
    • Become a Friend
    • Dedicate a tree
    • Sponsor a Habitat
    • Jump for the trees - sponsored skydive
    • Raise £s as you shop
  • Support Us
    • Corporate Opportunities
    • Fundraising Ideas
    • In Memory
    • Volunteer for us
      • Volunteer opportunities
      • Volunteer Tasks
  • What's going on
    • News
    • Events
    • Our blog
  • Shop
    • Commemorative Leaf Plaques
    • Firewood
  • Venue hire
    • Weddings
    • Parties
    • Conferencing
    • Team Building
    • Wakes
    • Green Values
  • Trees for Climate
  • 01234762615
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Wetlands Nature Reserve
  1. Explore the Forest
  2. Forest Centre and Millennium Country Park
  3. The Forest Centre

Wetlands Nature Reserve

£2.50 adults/ £1.75 concessions

If you’re a keen nature spotter, or just fancy somewhere peaceful to get away from it all, the Wetlands Nature Reserve is the perfect place. The Wetlands Trail is a surfaced, circular route and is approx. 1.2 miles, starting on the meadow at the back of the Forest Centre and travelling around the Pillinge. There are 3 regular hides along the Trail, overlooking the beautiful reedbeds and the sand martin wall on the Pillinge, and the Tower Hide and Woodland Walkway which gives panoramic views across the Vale. All hides are wheelchair accessible.

All 4 bird hides are open - please be respectful of the comfort of other site users to ensure that all of our guests continue have a safe and enjoyable visit. Please see our Coronavirus (Covid-19) guidance for full information before visiting.

Buy an Annual Wetlands Pass for £30

Includes unlimited access for 2 adults and up to 4 children to the Wetlands.

Become a Friend of the Forest (includes free parking)

Includes unlimited access to the Wetlands and free parking.


More information

As the Wetlands Nature Reserve is a haven for wildlife, no dogs or bikes are allowed on the Trail.

To download a map showing what wildlife you might see out there at this time of year, click from the list below:

Spring Map 

Summer Map

Autumn Map

Winter Map

For more information about the Wetlands Nature Reserve or booking a group visit, call 01234 762614 or email us. 

Published: 11th July, 2017

Updated: 25th February, 2022

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • Party with a Princess

    Party with a Princess

    Party with a princess! Join the Princesses for a children's afternoon tea fit for royalty, followed by meet and greets, games and sing-a-longs. £15 per ticket - book online now.

  • The King's Coronation kids' crafts

    The King's Coronation kids' crafts

    Join us at the Forest Centre this Easter holidays and get creative at our kid's crafts sessions. Book online now - two sessions available to choose from. £4 per child.

  • Decorate your own butterfly house - kids' crafts

    Decorate your own butterfly house - kids' crafts

    Join us at the Forest Centre this Easter holidays and get creative at our kid's crafts sessions. Book online now - two sessions available to choose from. £4 per child.

  • Valentine's

    Valentine's

    A gift that lasts longer than flowers and chocolates.

Related

  • Party with a Princess

    Party with a Princess

    Party with a princess! Join the Princesses for a children's afternoon tea fit for royalty, followed by meet and greets, games and sing-a-longs. £15 per ticket - book online now.

  • The King's Coronation kids' crafts

    The King's Coronation kids' crafts

    Join us at the Forest Centre this Easter holidays and get creative at our kid's crafts sessions. Book online now - two sessions available to choose from. £4 per child.

  • Decorate your own butterfly house - kids' crafts

    Decorate your own butterfly house - kids' crafts

    Join us at the Forest Centre this Easter holidays and get creative at our kid's crafts sessions. Book online now - two sessions available to choose from. £4 per child.

  • Little City

    Little City

    An entirely mobile role play City for the under 6’s to explore and enjoy. Utilising bespoke backdrops and specially selected high-quality toys and equipment, your child can fully immerse themselves in their own world and welcome you in too! £9 per child - book online now!

  • Valentine's crafts

    Valentine's crafts

    Join us at the Forest Centre and get creative at our Valentine's crafts sessions. Book online now - two sessions available to choose from. £4 per child.

  • One for dog owners...

    One for dog owners...

    We want everyone to be able to enjoy our sites but unfortunately there are some people who can't keep their dogs under control...

  • Sponsor a Habitat

    Sponsor a Habitat

    Sponsoring an area of habitat in the Millennium Country Park is the perfect gift for any nature and wildlife lover, for only £10.

  • Car parking charges

    Car parking charges

    In order to carry on maintaining our sites and planting more trees we need to step it up.

  • Locally made charcoal now available

    Locally made charcoal now available

    Produced by our very own former team member Guy Lambourne and wife Jane at their woodland, Bottoms' Corner

  • Hire explorer packs

    Hire explorer packs

    Everything you need for hours of fun exploring the Forest

Most read

  • Opening times and directions

    The Forest Centre's Opening Times and Directions to the Millennium Country Park

  • Walks and routes

    Walks and routes

    Our suggestions for great walks, bike rides and bridleways throughout the Forest of Marston Vale.

  • Weddings

    Weddings

    Give the Forest a future by starting your future with us. The Forest Centre is a stunning wedding venue

  • Become a Friend of the Forest Today

    Become a Friend of the Forest Today

    Join now to help us to plant 5 million trees in the Forest

  • Jobs

    Jobs

    Job Opportunities at the Forest Centre

  • Opening times and map

  • Car parking charges

    Car parking charges

    In order to carry on maintaining our sites and planting more trees we need to step it up.

  • Bike hire

    Bike hire

    From just £7 for an adult bike, explore the Millennium Country Park

  • Our story

    Our story

    Trees make life better

  • Wetlands Nature Reserve

    Wetlands Nature Reserve

    In the Millennium Country Park

Tag cloud

Birds Spiders Trees for Climate Wildlife

Sign up to help us plant 5 million trees!

* indicates required
I want to hear about:

Useful Links

  • Contact us
  • Jobs
  • Press
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy and Cookies policy
  • Community Fund
  • Accessibility
  • Terms and Conditions

Follow us

  • Trip Advisor
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

The Forest of Marston Vale Trust is a Registered Charity No. 1069229.
Company registered in England No 3462405.

Registered Office: The Forest Centre, Station Road, Marston Moretaine, Bedford MK43 0PR.
Marston Vale Services t/a The Forest Centre Ltd, registered in England No 3538255 & Marston Vale Farms Limited, registered in England No 06537891 are subsidiaries of the Forest of Marston Vale Trust.

Manage Cookie Preferences