Welcome
The Lodge nature reserve is situated near Sandy, Bedfordshire, and as the RSPB's UK headquarters is sometimes known as the 'home of the RSPB'. You can explore its attractive woodland and heaths along 5 miles (8 km) of trails, visit the beautifully managed gardens, Iron Age banks and ditches on Galley Hill, or watch woodland birds go about their business.
Level access
There is level access from the car park to:
Gatehouse Picnic AreaHearing
Visual
General
Getting here
Travel by public transport
The nearest railway station is Sandy, which is 0.9 miles (1.4 km) away. Taxis are not readily available at the station. If you require an accessible taxi you can book this in advance.
Parking
There are 3 clearly signed blue badge parking spaces situated 50m from the Gatehouse shop entrance.
The car park, with 60 spaces, is adjacent to the Gatehouse shop and a short walk to the entrance. Non-members: £6 per motor vehicle. Members, and those just visiting the shop, can park for free. Please obtain a ticket from the ticket machine in the visitors’ car park and display it in your vehicle.
The car park surface is compacted stone. Level concrete paths lead to the Gatehouse shop and toilets. The car park is lit at night.
The entrance to the Gatehouse shop is 925mm wide. It is accessed by a 1:12 ramp, 600mm high and 1200mm wide. There is a handrail on one side. During COVID restrictions, a one way system is in place via steps: please ask for help if unable to use steps.
Arrival
Path to main entrance
Main entrance
Getting around inside
Ticket/ information desk
Public toilet
Gatehouse toilet
Public toilets are located along a short concrete path near the Gatehouse shop with a 1:35 ramp leading to the unisex accessible toilet, which is open to all and described below:
A light, easy open door 850mm/33.5ins wide.
500mm/19.5ins transfer space to the left of the toilet, when facing the toilet.
Toilet height is 460mm/18ins.
Vertical rails on left of toilet, and on right of basin.
Horizontal rails: a hinged one to the left of the toilet, and a fixed one on the side wall right of the toilet.
Handrails, toilet and washbasin are white.
A flashing light when the fire alarm sounds.
An emergency alarm pull cord.
Shop
Getting around outside
Buzzard
The Buzzard Trail around the new heath to Galley Hill covers 2.8km (1.7 miles) and can take 90 mins to complete at a gentle pace. Galley Hill can be reached along flat sections with an uneven compacted sand surface. Other sections of the loop are uneven and undulating, and there are steep flights of steps.
Designated Walking Trail
Nuthatch
The Nuthatch Trail covers 1.7km (1.1 miles) and can take about 60 mins to complete. It is steeply undulating throughout with many steep steps, uneven compacted sand surfaces and tree roots.
Designated Walking Trail
Woodpecker Trail
The Woodpecker Trail covers 2km (1.25 miles) and takes about 60 mins to complete. It has two steep sections, one with steps (although this is an optional route for the trail), and has an uneven compacted sand surface.
Picnic Area
Gatehouse Picnic Area
There is a picnic area on the lawn immediately next to the Gatehouse shop.
The lawn is cut short and level, but is uneven in places
There are several picnic tables and benches at the picnic area, several with space for a wheelchair user.
Snacks and drinks are available at the shop; however, visitors are free to bring their own refreshments with them for picnics.
Play area
The play area for children has gates at either end that may be difficult to operate for anyone with mobility issues. Support can be asked for at the shop.
Customer care support
A wheelchair is available to borrow at the Gatehouse shop, suitable for level surfaces around the picnic area toilets and around the gardens. It is not suitable for the rougher terrain and steeper sections found on many of the trails.
A water bowl is available at the Gatehouse shop for dogs.
Emergency evacuation procedures
Customer care support