NATURE
What wildlife
to see in Summer
Heritage
Learning from the past,
building for the future
Adventure
Where the adventure
lasts all day
CHARITY NO. 1050157
Visitor information :
Hours
Find Us
Parking
Accessibility
Contact
Visitor Opening times
Please see the table below for the current opening times.
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Date |
Site opening Times |
Visitor Centre Opening Times |
| January – March | 7am – 5pm | 10am – 4pm |
| April to September | 7am – 7pm | 10am – 5pm |
| October-December | 7am – 5pm | 10am – 4pm |
How to find us
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Stanwick Lakes is situated off the Stanwick roundabout on the A45 in East Northamptonshire between Wellingborough (eight miles away) and Thrapston (seven miles away).
The postcode for Sat Nav directions is NN9 6GY.
Parking and prices
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Thank you for paying to park!
Did you know that Stanwick Lakes is run by Rockingham Forest Trust, a local environmental charity?
Every time you pay the car park charges at Stanwick Lakes you are supporting the conservation and maintenance work that takes place on the site. This includes managing the nature reserve for wildlife, looking after the play equipment and maintaining miles of paths for walking and cycling.
Car Parking Charges 2023
Charging period |
Charges per car |
| 28th-31st March | Up to 2 hours £3.00 Up to 4 hours £4.50 |
| 1st April – 30th September | Variable charge: Up to 2 hours £3.30 Up to 4 hours £4.80 All day £6.30 |
| 1st Oct 31st December | Variable charge: Up to 2 hours £3.00 All day £4.50 |
| Membership | £42 per household per year |
Closed Christmas Day
Accessibility
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The majority of the site’s facilities are wheelchair accessible, including the visitor centre, toilets, feeding station and water’s edge bird hides, the network of footpaths and cycle paths, and areas within the central adventure playground. A lift is situated in the café area to allow disabled visitors to access the mezzanine area where the archaeological finds are kept, including the section of Roman floor mosaic.
Contact Us
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01933 625 522
info@rftrust.org.uk
Follow us on social media:
Stanwick Lakes is managed as a social enterprise by the environmental charity,
Rockingham Forest Trust. All Income from our visitors directly supports the cost of running the site, including conservation work and educational events.
Upcoming Events
Learn At The Lakes – Various Dates
Parent & Toddler Groups
Beginners Guide to Wetland Birds
Big Garden Bird Watch 2025
Workshops AncientCraft – Bronze Axe Casting – February 2025
Workshops AncientCraft – Flint Knapping – October 2025
The visitor centre, with café, shop and function space, hosts many events, family celebrations, business meetings and craft workshops throughout the year.
THINGS TO DO…
NATURE
Visit a birdhide
One of the best ways to take in all that a wetlands site has to offer is to stop off at several hides dotted around the reserve, and see what you can spot…
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HERITAGE
Go back in time!
Notice the stone marker posts, each carved with an historical era? These form part of our Heritage Trail and each of the six stones marks the site of an important historic settlement…
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ADVENTURE
Imaginative play
Get active and explore our adventure playground, assault course, adventure trail, dotted around the reserve, including water play and a zip line!
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acres of open space
miles of scenic paths
days of the year
LATEST NEWS
Wildlife Volunteer Team Round Up 2022
In the spring of 2022, we set up a new volunteer group– the Stanwick Lakes Wildlife Volunteer Team (WVT). The team meet up on the last Friday morning of the month to undertake tasks that help us to conserve the nature reserve at Stanwick Lakes, including monitoring...
Creating a Moment in History – Stanwick Lakes Heritage
Over the past 12 years, Stanwick Lakes have been fortunate enough to receive Heritage Lottery funding for a number of projects exploring the heritage and history of the site and surrounding valley. Carrying on from the successes of these legacy heritage projects, our new ambitious 3 year venture, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, will delve into the Bronze Age and the Iron Age, exploring their monuments and settlements with one aim – to bring the past to life.
Water levels: map and walking routes
At times of very heavy rain, or flooding in the county, water levels at Stanwick Lakes can change quickly. Sometimes this isn't due to rainfall, but factors occurring further along the River Nene, and due to the area being a floodplain. Flooding can sometimes affect...
A More Inclusive Playground Experience
Stanwick Lakes is making play accessible to all with new inclusive equipment, including a wheelchair-accessible roundabout and swing. With plans for a fully accessible play tower underway, we’re creating a space where every child can experience the joy of play.
How Flooding Shapes the Stanwick Lakes Landscape
Supporting Wildlife and Wetlands During High Waters With the substantial rainfall across the county in recent weeks, river levels have risen dramatically, causing flooded paths and extended lake edges at Stanwick Lakes. Walking routes are accessible once again,...
Help Us Secure A £25,000 Grant – The Woodland Workshop
We are thrilled to announce that Stanwick Lakes has been offered a grant of nearly £25,000 to build a new Woodland Workshop. This is a brilliant opportunity for the charity, as the new facility would play a crucial role in supporting our conservation, heritage, and...
Appeal for Information
Northamptonshire Police are appealing for information: If you have any, please call them on 101 or contact Crimestoppers. anonymously if you wish, on 0800 555111.
Big Bronze Age Boat Build: The Launch!
On 21st July 2024, against the beautiful backdrop of Solstice Lake, the Big Bronze Age Boat Launch commenced. The event was a celebration of the Boat Build project, but also a celebration of the rich history of the site. Visitors enjoyed exploring historical foods,...
“Art In Nature” Exhibition at Stanwick Lakes, as part of Northants and Rutland Open Studios
Discover the Art in Nature exhibition at Stanwick Lakes, where six talented artists showcase their nature-inspired works. Running throughout September as part of the Northants and Rutland Open Studios, this event offers a unique blend of creativity and conservation.
All Aboard the New Bus Service to Stanwick Lakes!
We are delighted to share the news that visitors can now reach Stanwick Lakes by public transport for the first time, thanks to the newly expanded Village Hopper bus service. This makes the nature and heritage available to enjoy on our 750 acre site accessible to even...
Meet our new resident artist – Louise Berrill
The time has come to say a fond farewell to Cathy Matthews, who has been our resident artist here at Stanwick Lakes for many years. Her warmth, creativity, and artistic talent have built a lasting legacy here. Keen for that to continue, Cathy has chosen our new...
1 year review with Ranger Isaac!
To celebrate one year as part of the team here at Stanwick Lakes, we asked Ranger Isaac to write a blog, reflection on his time with us so far…
Isaac joined our team as part of the Groundwork UK initiative, New to Nature. New to Nature, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, helps young people get into green careers, especially those who might otherwise have found it difficult to access the conservation sector.
A unique setting, convenient location, and with ample facilities, you can make your event one to remember at Stanwick Lakes. Our flexible indoor and outdoor spaces and our experienced team, and specialist knowledge can help with you shape your event into something unique.
Every Visit Counts
The visitor centre, with café, shop and function spaces is ran as a social enterprise, which very much supports the charity, with all income. The setting for many events, family celebrations, business meetings and craft workshops throughout the year, we can cater for any event.
So there’s always enough going on to work up an appetite!