Welcome
Nestled between Leeds, York and Wakefield, Fairburn Ings is an exciting site for family activities and serious wildlife watching. Over the last 60 years it has transitioned from coal face to wild place; an ex-industrial site rich in heritage and an important site for breeding and wintering wildfowl.
Level access
There is level access from the main entrance to:
Main receptionAccessible toiletToiletsVisitor Centre and ShopShopSeating areaThere is level access from the car park to:
Visitor Centre Picnic AreaHearing
General
Getting here
Travel by public transport
The closest railway station is Castleford, which is approximately 3 miles away.
Buses stop infrequently at Fairburn village on the route from Pontefract to Sherburn-in-Elmet via Knottingley and Ferrybridge; and they also run there from Selby. Buses from Wakefield to Castleford also stop in Ledston village.
Travel by taxi
Parking
Parking is free for blue badge holders and RSPB members, otherwise there is a £4 charge to park for one day. There is a parking machine located in the car park - near the main gate, at the far end from the Visitor Centre path. The machine is solar powered. Payment can be made at the ticket machine using card or contactless, or by using the Pay By Phone app. Cash payments can be taken in the Visitor Centre.
A mobility scooter is available to hire, and can be brought to the car park on request. We require pre-booking– please contact us on 01977 628191.
Arrival
Path to main entrance
Main entrance
The entrance to the Visitor Centre is above ground level. To access the Visitor Centre from the path there is a set of eight steps with handrails, or a permanent ramp with a 1 in 12 gradient.
The main entrance has a side-hung assisted door. It is 1m wide and has a push button to open it. With prearrangement, we can support and assist with accessing the Visitor Centre.
There is a balcony that runs around the side of the Visitor Centre. The surface is level, made of non-slip recycled plastic, and the route is approximately 1m wide. During Visitor Centre opening hours, there are some small café-style tables and chairs on the balcony for visitors to use. Two side-hung doors lead from the balcony into the seating area inside the Visitor Centre - these are approximately 80cm wide and open outwards.
Getting around inside
Ticket/ information desk
Main reception
The desk is directly in front of the door, and staff are trained to greet visitors in front of the desk regardless of perceved ability.
On the wall behind the desk there is a map with the latest sightings, and an events and activities board with all the latest information on both self-led and ticketed events.
Public toilet
Accessible toilet
Inside the accessible toilet is one toilet, a sink with running hot water, and a fold down baby changing table that can be used from a seated position. There is ample space inside the cubicle for individuals with specific needs/need of a career. The dimensions of the whole cubicle are approximately 140cm by 2m.
There is a soap dispenser, an automatic hand dryer, and paper towels. There is also a nappy bin, hygiene bin, and general waste bin.
There is an emergency alarm cord that is accessible from ground level, and is located to the left of the toilet as you face it. This emits a loud noise when operated, and alerts the Visitor Centre staff in the main shop area. An additional vertical rail to the left of the toilet, when facing the toilet, which can be easily lowered and locked into the horizontal position.
Public toilet
Toilets
From the main entrance to the toilets, a doorway on the immediate left gives access to the male toilets. The door is normally wedged open, and the doorway is approximately 84cm wide. Inside the male toilets are 3 single urinals and 1 toilet stall. The door to the toilet stall is approximately 52cm wide. There are 3 sinks which provide running hot water, as well as soap dispensers, an automatic hand dryer, and paper towels.
From the main entrance to the toilets, a doorway on the immediate right gives access to the female toilets. The door is normally wedged open, and the doorway is approximately 84cm wide. Inside the female toilets are 4 toilet stalls. The door to the toilet stalls are approximately 52cm wide. There are 3 sinks which provide running hot water, as well as soap dispensers, an automatic hand dryer, and paper towels.
Shop
Shop
The shop is located immediately as you enter the Visitor Centre. It sells high quality gifts, books, souvenirs, and binoculars, as well as bird food and bird care items. There is a range of hot and cold drinks to purchase, as well as sweet and savoury snacks including crisps, cakes, sausage rolls, and ice creams. Gluten free and vegan options are available. All calorie and allergen information is available – please talk to our friendly staff about any concerns or questions.
Routes through the shop are 1m wide. The shop has a non-slip vinyl surface and both natural and artificial lighting.
Place to eat and drink
Visitor Centre and Shop
The catering area is self- service, although staff are happy to help. There is a machine to dispense a range of hot drinks, and a fridge holding cold drinks and snacks. The fridge can be accessed from a seated position. The fridge contains a selection of sandwiches, sausage rolls, flapjacks and sweet treats. Calorie and allergen information is available, and staff are happy to answer any questions about products. Vegan and gluten-free options are available.
Seating area
There is seating for 20 or more visitors inside the Visitor Centre, and for 6 or more outside on the balcony. There are a number of small round metal tables, and plastic chairs. The tables are well spaced apart, and chairs can easily be moved to create different seating options around tables. There is also a large sofa in the seating area for visitors to use.
Two high chairs are available. Breast feeding is welcome anywhere on site, including in the Visitor Centre.
The seating area has a non-slip vinyl surface, and both natural and artificial lighting.
Getting around outside
Discovery Trail
The path is level, with firm gravel and boardwalk surfaces. The paths and boardwalk sections are 1m wide or more, and there are a number of benches and rest areas. There are also a number of lectern stands, made of recycled plastic, which contain family trail activities and information.
There is one wooden bird hide along the trail, called Pickup Hide, which has a ramp and accessible viewing areas. At the hide entrance there is level access, with a permanent ramp with a less than 1 in 12 gradient. The surface is wood, covered with a layer of wire mesh to aid friction. The hide can also be accessed by a set of eight steps to ground level. There are fixed wooden benches which are approximately 50cm high, sets of wooden steps, and low windows for viewing wildlife. There are a number of information panels about birds and other animals which can be seen around the site.
There is also a bird feeding station with benches, and a pond dipping platform. The pond dipping platform is level, and made of non-slip recycled plastic and with yellow kick boards along the edge. Access to the platform is via a gently sloping (less than 1:12) path, which is light gravel.
Designated Walking Trail
Riverbank Trail
The trail is linear, making a total 3 mile or 6000m walk, if completing the trail and returning to the Visitor Centre. The trail is undulating, with more than 1 in 12 gradient in places, and a hard surface made of compacted stone and gravel. There are numerous benches and rest areas along the trail.
There are two hides on the trail, called Bob Dickens Hide and Charlie’s Hide.
Bob Dickens Hide can be accessed by two routes which lead off the main path. The most direct is a slope which is a 1 in 20 gradient. There is also a gently curving route which is 1 in 12 gradient. Both routes have hard surfaces and light gravel, and are approximately 2m wide. At the hide entrance, there is level access with a permanent ramp. The door is approximately 76cm wide. The hide is made of metal, and is painted green on the outside and blue inside. Inside there are benches which are approximately 50cm high, low windows, and space for wheelchair users. There are also information panels about the wildlife in the area and the history of the site.
The route leading from the main footpath to Charlie’s Hide is short and mainly level, and includes a metal bridge. The bridge is approximately 1m wide. Between the bridge and the hide is a short ramp, which is less than 1 in 12 gradient. The ramp has a hard surface and is made of compacted stone. The hide itself is made of metal, and is open on one side. There are low viewing windows, fixed benches which are approximately 50cm high, and space for wheelchair users.
There is also a viewing screen on the trail, the Village Bay Viewpoint, which has level access. The entrance is approximately 2m wide. The view point is open, with low railings. There are fixed benches inside for seating, approximately 50cm high, and space for wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
There are two kissing gates along the trail at Cut Lane that can be opened wider with a RADAR key. A RADAR key can be borrowed from the Visitor Centre.
Designated Walking Trail
Roy Taylor Trail
The trail is approximately 1 miles, or 2400m, long. It has two steep hills at the start, with a gradient over 1:12 for a distance of approximately 200m each. The path is otherwise fairly level, has a hard surface, and is gravelly and uneven in places. There are a number of benches placed around the trail, with views over the rest of the site and the valley.
Designated Walking Trail
Lin Dike Link
The trail is approximately 2 miles, or 3200m, long. The trail is undulating, with a gradient of over 1:12 for a distance of 200m. The path is otherwise mainly level, but made of gravel and uneven in places. The trail has a number of benches and resting places.
Designated Walking Trail
Arrow Lane Trail
The trail is approximately 0.7 miles, or 1000m, long. The trail is mostly flat. The trail has a less stable, gravel surface and can become very wet and muddy. It is not recommended for mobility scooters, wheelchairs and pushchairs, especially in winter.
The trail has a number of benches and resting places, and wooden viewing screens with views across the site.
There is a kissing gate at the road side entrance to Arrow Lane, that can be opened with a RADAR key. A RADAR key can be borrowed from the Visitor Centre.
There is a small car park at the road side entrance to Arrow Lane, that is not owned or maintained by the RSPB. This has 2 disabled parking spaces. There are no other marked bays but there is space for approximately 12 cars. From the car park, the entrance to the Arrow Lane trail is accessed by a short walk of approximately 20m along a roadside pavement.
Designated Walking Trail
Redshale Road
The Discovery Trail connects to other walking paths via Redshale Road, which is a short incline of more than a 1 in 12 gradient for approximately 200m. It has a hard surface and is gravelly and uneven in places. There are benches and viewing areas along the path.
Redshale Road begins at the Kingfisher Screen, which is a wooden screen approximately 2m high. It looks out onto a river and has a number of slots cut out, for bird watching.
At the top of Redshale Road, the path splits off onto the Riverbank Trail and the Roy Taylor Trail. There is a cattle gate and a footpath at the top of the hill, leading to the Roy Taylor Trail. The path is 1m wide or more, and is a hard surface with light gravel.
Pickup Hide
Bob Dickens Hide
Lin Dike Hide
Village Bay Viewpoint
Charlie's Hide
Picnic Area
Visitor Centre Picnic Area
The picnic area is a grassed area surrounded by trees and hedges, with a path leading to a wild play area. It is accessed by a low metal gate, with an entrance approximately 80cm wide. The paths in the picnic area are compacted earth and grass, are level, and are 1m wide or more.
You can bring your own food to the picnic area, and there are six sturdy wooden picnic benches. There is also a large wooden shelter, roughly circular shaped, which has bench seating around the inside edge.
At the far end of the picnic area is a sign for Bug Village, which leads to a narrow circular path of compacted earth. Just off the path is a wooden gate which is locked in the open position, making an entrance approximately 80cm wide. This entrance leads to a wild play area. In the wild play area there is a large adventure climbing frame, made of wood, metal and rubber. It is recommended for children aged between 6- 12 years old. There is also space for informal play, with den building materials available.
There are also 6 large, sturdy wooden picnic benches immediately outside the Visitor Centre on ground level.
Customer care support
A mobility scooter is available to hire, and can be brought to the car park on request. We require pre-booking – please contact us on 01977 628191.
Emergency evacuation procedures
Customer care support