RSPB Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve

RSPB Lochwinnoch is the best place in the west of Scotland for family fun, wild days out and discovering nature with an excellent RSPB shop, visitor centre and visitor trails.

About RSPB Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve

	RSPB Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve Largs Road, Lochwinnoch PA12 4JF
	01505842663
	RSPB Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve Website
	Follow RSPBLochwinnoch on Twitter
	Facebook information can be found here

Listed Under Attractions - Visitor Centres / Activities - Cycling / Attractions - Days Out / Attractions - Nature Reserves / Activities - Walking

RSPB Lochwinnoch nature reserve was established in 1973. The iconic visitor centre open in 1975 and the same structure still exists today, but the visitor experience is very different from when the reserve first opened.

The current visitor centre provides an opportunity to find out more about and get close to nature, with the help of our team of friendly staff and volunteers. We run a wide range of activities throughout the year, including self-led challenges for kids, guided walks and workshops on photography or birdwatching. Events are often posted on Facebook but visit our website www.rspb.org.uk for the most up-to-date information.

The reserve has a well-stocked shop with the latest bird feeding and care equipment in stock, along with binoculars and telescopes, an excellent range of wildlife books, gifts for all ages and lots for kids as well. Stock up on bird seed, get someone a birthday present or treat yourself to something from our snack selection, which includes sandwiches, gluten free cakes, ice creams and our range of teas and coffees.

The visitor centre has excellent views over the Aird Meadow section of the reserve from both the downstairs viewing area and upstairs from the Tower. Telescopes are provided in the tower to assist you with your viewing to help you get the most from your day out.

The reserve has three main walks: Aird Meadow trail (1.5km) - a beautiful woodland walk which finishes with a boardwalk leading you out to the Peel Tower, a 16th century ruin, and providing stunning views over both Castle Semple and Aird Meadows Lochs. Along the route you will pass various viewing points, from which you can see a wide variety of woodland and wetland birds. The trail and viewpoints are wheelchair accessible, although the surface is natural and uneven in places; Dubbs trail (500m) - a walk through the fen with a simple and peaceful viewpoint at the end overlooking the Aird Meadow Loch; Semple Trail (1.5km) walk along this entirely off-road track from the RSPB Centre all the way to Castle Semple visitor centre, taking in the River Calder and accompanying wildlife (kingfisher, dipper, grey wagtail).

Lochwinnoch village and the nearby visitor attractions make this an excellent place for an afternoon out with the family, only 20mins from Glasgow! As well as lots of kiddie-friendly areas, including the play area, the reserve also has plenty of quieter places where you can watch wildlife, or simply enjoy the peace and quiet surrounded by beautiful landscapes.

Entrance charges:
Entry to the reserve and visitor centre is free of charge. There is a car parking charge of £3 per car, for up to 6 hours. Parking is free for RSPB members and blue badge holders. There is 30 minutes free parking for those just wishing to use the shop.

Information for dog owners:
Dogs are allowed on all footpaths. Dogs are requested to be kept on a lead or at least close control in accordance with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Cycling at RSPB Lochwinnoch:
Lochwinnoch is one of the most accessible RSPB sites in the UK, just a few hundred yards from Lochwinnoch train station, it sits alongside National Cycle Route 7, with a safe walking route to and from the village itself and close by the A737 Irvine road.

If you're cycling, why not take the opportunity to use the Semple Trail, an off-road route that joins RSPB Lochwinnoch, Lochwinnoch village and Castle Semple Visitor Centre to the village of Howwood. Why not cycle from RSPB Lochwinnoch to Howwood and then get the train back?

En route, you can enjoy vast stretches of farmland or take in the wildlife and scenery of the Aird Meadow and Castle Semple Lochs.

You could take a small diversion into the beautiful Parkhill Woods or stop off at the RSPB visitor centre to enjoy our woodland birds and feeding station, offering excellent views of a wide variety of species including Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Nuthatches and much more besides!

A great day out for the whole family!

We take every opportunity to ensure the details for RSPB Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve are accurate, if any of the above information is incorrect we would appreciate if you could take a minute to suggest an edit.

All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.

Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Renfrewshire? Just hit 'Like' on our What's On Renfrewshire Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our @WhatsOnRen Twitter or Instagram accounts and you're all set!

Upcoming Events at RSPB Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve

Outdoor

Santa’s Missing Reindeer

Selected dates between 1st December 2024 - 31st December 2024

RSPB Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve, Lochwinnoch

Santa's reindeer have come to visit RSPB Lochwinnoch and are spending their time out on the reserve near the Aird meadow trail... how many can you spot?

RSPB Barons Haugh Nature Reserve

RSPB Barons Haugh Nature Reserve Manse Road, Motherwell ML1 2PZ

RSPB Baron's Haugh is a thriving community nature reserve in Motherwell and is a real gem for wildlife and for visitors too.

RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond

RSPB Loch Lomond Nature Reserve , Gartocharn

RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond is set in a stunning mix of woodlands and wetlands on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.

Visitor Centres

Finlaystone Country Estate

Finlaystone Country Estate , Langbank PA14 6TJ

Finlaystone Country Estate is an established visitor attraction managed by the family of the Chief of the Clan MacMillan.

Visitor Centres

Coats Observatory

49 Oakshaw Street West, Paisley PA1 2DE

Coats Observatory is the oldest public observatory in Scotland and was gifted to the people of Paisley by Thomas Coats and designed by Glasgow Architect John Honeyman.

Visitor Centres

Lamont Farm Project

Lamont City Farm Barrhill Road, Erskine PA8 6EZ

Lamont Farm Project is a vibrant community project located in Erskine where you can meet a wide variety of domesticated animals, including sheep, goats, horses, ducks, hens, llamas and rabbits!

Visitor Centres

Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park

Castle Semple Visitor Centre and Country Park Lochlip Road, Lochwinnoch PA12 4EA

Clyde Muirshiel is Scotland's largest Regional Park - a great place to easily enjoy the outdoors. The Park is just west of Glasgow, south of Greenock, east of Largs and north of Ardrossan!

Visitor Centres

Castle Semple Country Park

Castle Semple Country Park Lochlip Road, Lochwinnoch PA12 4EA

Castle Semple Visitor Centre and Country Park is the gateway to Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park with wonderful water for outdoor activities plus walks, wildlife and woodlands.

Visitor Centres

Greenock Cut Visitor Centre

Greenock Cut Visitor Centre Cornalees Bridge, Inverkip PA16 9LX

Situated in the heart of Inverclyde’s historic water catchment area, the Greenock Cut is a scheduled monument with fantastic views and trails.

Visitor Centres

Muirshiel Country Park

Muirshiel Country Park Calder Glen Road, Lochwinnoch PA12 4LB

Muirshiel Visitor Centre & Country Park gives easy access to 'great walking in hen harrier countryside' in what was once an impressive Victorian shooting estate!

All Visitor Centres listings in Renfrewshire