YWT Potteric Carr Nature Reserve
📍 Potteric Carr Visitor Centre, Mallard Way, Doncaster DN4 8DB, UK
About YWT Potteric Carr Nature Reserve
YWT Potteric Carr Nature Reserve, nestled in Doncaster, is a renowned wildlife haven offering an expansive and diverse natural environment. This highly-rated reserve, boasting a 4.6/5 star Google rating, provides an escape into nature for visitors seeking tranquility and opportunities for wildlife observation. It's particularly celebrated for its rich biodiversity, featuring wetlands, reedbeds, woodlands, and meadows that support a wide array of species.
Visitors frequently praise Potteric Carr for its excellent birdwatching opportunities, with numerous well-maintained hides providing ideal spots for photography and observation. The reserve features a network of easy-going, well-maintained paths, making it accessible for walkers to explore its extensive trails. The friendly and helpful staff at the visitor centre enhance the experience, providing expert advice and a welcoming atmosphere. After exploring, a superb cafe offers refreshments, completing a rewarding visit to this hidden gem.
Visiting Information
YWT Potteric Carr Nature Reserve is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM. The reserve is committed to accessibility, offering wheelchair-accessible parking, entrances, and restrooms. For payments, the reserve accepts credit cards, debit cards, and NFC payments, ensuring a convenient experience for all.
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📍 Potteric Carr Visitor Centre, Mallard Way, Doncaster DN4 8DB, UK
from 800 reviews
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Showing 5 of 800 reviews from Google Maps.Last updated 30 January 2026.
This is a fantastic nature reserve. Great for bird watching & photography with lots of well maintained hides within the reserve. Paths are good to walk on, and there's numerous trails to explore. Wetlands, reedbeds, woodland & meadows. After a good few hours on the reserve, there's a superb cafe to visit with lots of homemade food. Staff are really friendly & helpful. We will definitely be visiting again soon.
Beautiful little nature reserve nestled between the motorway and railway tracks. A real hidden gem though. The paths are easy going, the staff at the visitor centre were so helpful and friendly as well, really made us feel welcome. If you are into your birds we saw a murmuration of starlings, little egret, shelduck, shovellers, Pochard and loads of grey herons to name just a few.
I travelled by bus from Doncaster railway station then walked the last 5 minutes to the nature reserve. It was £5 to go in but very good value with expert advice from the lady on the desk and a colour coded map showing the various trails across the extensive area. I enjoyed my visit along the well marked trails but would definitely take my walking poles next time; lots of roots and potential trip hazards. I didn’t have enough time to go down to the far end of the reserve where the bigger bodies of water are but I did go in the hides by the plantation. Back at the cafe there was lots of choice with generous portions and very reasonable prices. I sat in a comfy chair but there was also a variety of traditional tables and chairs. There are no toilet facilities on the reserve other than in the cafe where there are several unisex toilets plus an accessible/baby changing facility. Car parking is available on site. Very good value for money; highly recommended!
Amazing reservoir ,you could have a nice walk . However the signs 🛑 are not enough to show the way for going out ,,I took ages to find the right direction ⬆️😔⬆️ I wish provide that fantastic place with telephone for emergency and increase the numbers of signs and show directions.Thank you
Lovely place, a bit dull at moment given where still in winter mode, A few paths closed ( seem to be water logged 2/2/25 ) not much in way of birds or deer. Great walk around and a few people about , Cafe area is large but the wooden/metal chairs are too heavy.