Natural In Norfolk. Pensthorpe Fakenham Norfolk - Visit | Jun Jul 08 Feature

If you’re looking for an inspiring day out that doesn’t involve trudging round shopping malls or holding down your lunch on a rollercoaster, look no further than Pensthorpe Nature Reserve and Conservation Centre near Fakenham in Norfolk. A multi-award winning attraction, this vast haven of scenic lakes, trails, wildlife and gardens has something to offer visitors of all ages, whilst its natural state ensures a year-round experience that changes with the seasons.

Twenty years old this year (and recently host to BBC2’s Springwatch programme), The Pensthorpe Waterfowl Trust was originally founded by naturalist Bill Makins (a distant relative of mine, it turns out). Now in its inception as the Pensthorpe Conservation Trust (PCT), the aims are essentially similar: to establish a centre of excellence in ecological restoration and in doing so, to protect and encourage threatened species, in particular those associated with wetlands such as cranes and wildfowl.

Such important aims are made fun and accessible through the relatively newly opened Courtyard Café, gift shop and Visitor Centre, along with a host of stimulating and interactive aspects throughout the reserve.

We last visited Pensthorpe on a sunny spring day a month or so back and had a thoroughly enjoyable day, wandering along the leafy nature walks and marvelling at some of the exotic and unusual species of bird to which Pensthorpe is home. These include the quite frankly odd looking Marabou Storks, which seem to stand to attention like waiters dressed in jacket and shirt, the Flamingos and the various species of Crane (the conservation centre at Pensthorpe houses 8 out of the world’s 15 species of Crane, half of which are endangered). Throughout the Reserve there are walk-through aviaries and purpose-built hides, allowing a really good, up-close look at some of these fascinating creatures, along with plenty of seats and benches if you simply want to relax and drink in the tranquil atmosphere for a while. For garden lovers, the flora is stunning, including formalised gardens that were designed by Chelsea Gold Medal Winners Piet Oudolf and Julie Toll, ancient water meadows, wildflower meadows and a butterfly garden.

Among the many species of birds, we saw a bevy of baby ducklings and some very cute Coot chicks (being fed by Mum and Dad and generally seeming to be a bit of a handful to both!). We even spotted ‘Tabitha’, the wooden duck with a broken leg that ‘moves’ around the park for Children to hunt out. Unfortunately, on the day we went, the red squirrels of Squirrel Island were seemingly absent (the visitor info does mention that these rare creatures are elusive, so perhaps we should have looked a bit harder).

As you stroll round you also notice the plethora of activities and displays on offer to encourage children to appreciate the natural side of life: a dipping pond to investigate mini water-beasts, a ‘Bug Walk’ where you discover answers to complete a fact sheet and in doing so become a ‘Bug Detective’ and giant sculpture-like versions of common insects to spot and be amazed at. There is a rather excellent-looking Children’s Playground in case there is still a bit of energy that needs releasing before the journey homewards.

After our walk we enjoyed a compulsory (in my estimations anyway) visit to the Gift Shop - an impressive example if ever I’ve seen one, combining nature-inspired gifts such as nesting boxes, books and toys with luxury goodies like divine locally made sweets and toiletries, exquisite jewellery and generally lovely paraphernalia for the home.

We then took in some (well-deserved, of course) refreshments at the Courtyard Café. With yummy cakes, as well as home-cooked meals and tea, coffee and soft drinks, you can choose to dine outside on warmer days.

Along with the gardens, birds and nature trails, Pensthorpe plays host to numerous events during the year, including a Mediaeval Spectacular on August Bank Holiday weekend and workshops for photography and bird identification. There is also the Wensum Discovery Tour - an opportunity to board the camouflaged Safari vehicle and go on a guided expedition into deepest Norfolk, discovering the amazing wildlife and hidden secrets of the Wensum Valley.

Pensthorpe.

Fakenham Rd, Fakenham, Norfolk, NR21 0LN.

Tel: 01328 851465.

Reserve, Café and Gift Shop are open daily except Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Apr-Dec 10am-5pm, Jan-Mar 10am-4pm.

Admission into the park is £7.50 for Adults, £4 for children (4-15 yrs). Seniors £6. Family ticket (2 Adults, 2 Children) £19.50. Please see Pensthorpe website for admission prices that include the Wensum Discovery Tour and Group Rates.

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