Titchwell Marsh Nature RSPB Reserve - Norfolk.

In October 1998 when first meeting this group of students, I arranged a day trip to Titchwell. Upon arriving at the reserve Steven the reserve warden welcomed us to the reserve, and brought along a telescope and tripod to assist in identifying some of the many species of birds we were to see that day. He led us along the bank that borders the reserve to visit two of the hides, where we met a variety of problems.

The width of the paths were only just wide enough for a wheel chair, and frequently had a camber that brought the wheelchair occupants, and those withwalking sticks, into suspecting that we were about to tip them into a wet dyke. We discovered that many bird watchers were extremely reluctant to lift up their tripods to allow wheel chairs past. Access to the second hide involved a steep descent down from the bank, which led to problems when we came to leave the hide. All together the day was full of problems, although everyone really enjoyed themselves and learnt a lot.

I returned to the reserve 6 months later to find that Steven had taken carefull note of the problems met during the day, and had developed a plan of action to rectify many. There is now a new hide in easy access of the centre itself, which is reached by a board walk, and which contains deffinite spaces for wheelchair users. The drop down to the second hide now has a gradual slope along the side of the hill, which also has a hand rail. Altogether a tremendous improvement!, and I even found someone that day who had managed to get a wheelchair right to the beach, So maybe I'm just a complaining wimp.

Contact John Mather

Location: TF750438 - On the A149 between Thornham & Titchwell. Bus stop on main road about 150 m from Visitor Centre.

Facilities: Car Park with disabled parking bays 100 metres from Visitor Centre; Disabled Toilets in Car Park; Accessible Visitor Centre. New Boardwalk Trail. 3 Accessible Hides. Snack Bar, exterior seating only.

Opening Hours & Admission: Reserve open at all times, as path to beach is a Public Footpath. Visitor centre during BST - Monday to Friday 10 am - 5 pm ; weekends 9.30 am to 5.30 pm. Winter hours - Monday to Friday 10 am to 4 pm; weekends 10 am to 5 pm . Centre closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Car park, charge for non-RSPB members. Cars: £3, mini-buses: £10, coaches: £20.

Contact: The Visitor Centre, RSPB Titchwell Marsh nature reserve, Titchwell, King's Lynn, Norfolk PE31 8BB - Tel: 01485 210779 - e-mail: titchwell@rspb.org.uk

Description: See above Existing review. Addition: The new boardwalk trail is an excellent accessible addition to the reserve. Car park is improved with tarmac and disabled parking bays.

If you want to make further comments or need any other information, please contact us by email: dba.access@virgin.net