Name: RSPB Dearne Valley - Old Moor
Rating: 5.0

RSPB Dearne Valley - Old Moor

Old Moor Lane, Wombwell, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S73 0YF, England

1-90 Years

Paid

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Description

RSPB Dearne Valley - Old Moor is a peaceful nature reserve in Barnsley, known for its rich wildlife and scenic wetland landscapes. It offers a relaxing outdoor experience with opportunities for birdwatching and nature exploration. It’s an ideal destination for families, wildlife enthusiasts, and anyone looking to connect with nature.

Visitors can explore wetland habitats, walking trails, and bird hides offering sweeping views of the reserve. The site is home to a variety of wildlife including kingfishers, barn owls, ducks, and geese, with seasonal highlights such as wildflowers, butterflies, and breeding birds. Families can enjoy pond dipping (seasonal), discovery backpacks, family trails, and a dedicated adventure playground with natural play areas. Facilities include a visitor centre, café, shop, and accessible amenities, making it a comfortable and engaging visit for all ages.

Entry costs £7 for adults, £3.50 for children (5–15), £4.50 for students, while under 5s, first child, 16–24 year olds, and RSPB members enter free.

Overall, Old Moor offers a wonderful mix of wildlife, learning, and family-friendly activities. Its natural beauty and interactive experiences make it both relaxing and educational. It is a great destination for a day out in nature.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Wander through wetland habitats at Old Moor, with sweeping views from the hides, this family-friendly nature reserve is teeming with wildlife. Enjoy idyllic walks, wildlife watching, pond-dipping plus an adventure playground for kids.
In spring, Great Crested Grebes put on a show for mating season, while summer sees the meadow come alive with orchids, wildflowers and butterflies. In autumn, look out for Barn Owls swooping across the reedbeds and meadows.
The winter months bring vast flocks of ducks and geese including Wigeons (listen out for their whistling call), and birds of prey which send them scattering into the sky.
Old Moor is a brilliant reserve for little ones, with an adventure playground, wild play areas and The Lookout, a hide especially designed for families. You can hire discovery backpacks and we have family trails and activity sheets.
From April to the end of October you can also hire pond dipping kits. The vibrant azure and copper feathers of the Kingfisher make them one of the UK’s most colourful and instantly recognisable birds.
But blink and you’ll miss them – they dart along rivers and streams at high speeds. RSPB nature reserves and our care-taking teams provide safe wetland havens for these special birds and their fishy prey.

Facilities

Parking: We have 106 spaces with 6 Blue Badge spaces in our tarmacked car park. Additionally there is a drop-off point closer to the visitor centre.
Playground: We have a traditional play adventure playground area. We also have natural play including a sand pool, water play, wobbly bridges and a play tower.
Food & Drinks: Cafe serves sandwiches, soups, paninis and pies are available as well as hot and cold drinks. Vegan options, Vegetarian options, Gluten free options. Our friendly team are on hand to serve you, and are able to provide allergen information.
Toilets: Mens, Ladies and accessible toilets are located just next to our visitor centre, accessed via the courtyard with additional Mens and Ladies toilets upstairs in the Cafe.
Baby Changing: Changing units are located in the mens and womens toilets on the ground floor, just next to our visitor centre, accessed via the courtyard, and in the cafe.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Adult: £7.00
16-24 year olds: Free
Under 5s: Free
First child: Free
Child (5-15): £3.50
Student: £4.50
RSPB Members: Free

Pricing URL: https://www.rspb.org.uk/days-out/reserves/dearne-valley-old-moor/charges

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Nature reserve: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
Toilets: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
Car park: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
Visitor centre: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
Shop: 10:30 am - 4:30 pm
Cafe: 9:30 am - 4:00 pm

Address: Old Moor Lane, Wombwell, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S73 0YF, England

Post Code: S73 0YF

Council: Barnsley

County: South Yorkshire

By Car: Enter S73 0YF into your sat nav for direction. From the M1: Leave at junction 36 and take the A61 (Barnsley). At the next roundabout, follow the brown RSPB Old Moor signs on the A6195 (Doncaster) for approximately four miles. From the A1: Leave at junction 37 (Doncaster), follow the A635 towards Barnsley, then follow the brown RSPB Old Moor signs.
By Bus: Buses are infrequent, so please check with local providers before you visit.
By Train: Wombwell (3 miles/5 km) / Swinton (3 miles/5 km). Wombwell station can be accessed from the Trans Pennine Trail.