Entry into RSPB reserves

RSPB Jonno replied on 10/12/2019 09:06

Posted on 10/12/2019 09:06

December 2019 sees the end of a long period (16 years) of the partnership between the RSPB and Caravan and Motorhome Club.  We have enjoyed the long relationship but due to the need to ensure maximum funding for RSPB we are no longer able to offer free entry and car parking into RSPB nature reserves for Caravan and Motorhome Club members.

There are many seasonal activities happening on the RSPB sites in the month and winter sees some stunning wildlife spectacles. There are some great places to find unusual Christmas presents for friends and family of all ages and tastes with shops at:

Arne, Dorset;
Bempton Cliffs, Yorkshire;
Carsington, Derbyshire;
Conwy, Conwy
Darts Farm, Devon;
Dee Estuary, Cheshire;
Dungeness, Kent;
Fairburn Ings, West Yorkshire;
Lake Vyrnwy, Shropshire
Leighton Moss, Powys;
Loch Garten, Caigngorms;
Loch Leven, Perth and Kinross;
Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire;
Minsmere, Suffolk;
Newport Wetlands, Newport;
Old Moor, Barnsley District;
Pulborough Brooks, West Sussex;
Rainham Marshes, Essex;
Ribble Estuary, Lancashire;
Saltholme, Middlesbrough;
Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire;
South Stack Cliffs, Anglesey;
The Lodge, Bedfordshire;
Titchwell, Norfolk.

There are over 200 RSPB nature reserves to be explored around the country. They will still be there for you to explore for many years to come. Some have full visitor facilities (such as those listed above) and others, equally special which are more remote. Perhaps a good Christmas present to yourself or partner is an RSPB membership, where you get free entry to all sites, free parking where the RSPB owns car parks, a high-quality quarterly members’ magazine and you will be supporting the work of the UK’s leading wildlife conservation charity. Members’ support is essential to continuing the great work of RSPB, creating homes for wildlife and engaging people with nature. Details of how to become an RSPB member can be found at https://www.rspb.org.uk/join-and-donate/join-us/ 

The RSPB wishes to sincerely thank the Caravan and Motorhome Club for all its support in the past. Club members will still be made to feel welcome at our reserves and events in the future, whether they chose to become RSPB members.

RSPB Jonno replied on 11/12/2019 14:43

Posted on 10/12/2019 12:10 by brue

Remember the list of reserves above is just those with shops and there are many more available all over the uk, I think around 200?

We're lucky as we have several in Somerset (the cranes have caused quite a bit of interest.) Somerset, due to more basic sites, doesn't get a mention in Jonno's lists and the same for all the others in the uk too.

Like many on here, we've been members for a long time and although we don't attend there's an active local group too.

I hope the RSPB can get more paying visitors, I think CAMC members have been lucky to have this concession, it's been one of the best value ones!

Posted on 11/12/2019 14:43

A complete list of the 200 RSPB nature reserves that are open to visitors can be found online at https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/ . This search facility can be done alphabetically, geographically, facilities, wildlife types, habitats and many other options. Note that some sites are clustered due to their close proximities.

ABM replied on 11/12/2019 18:02

Posted on 11/12/2019 18:02

Thank you for the information, Jonno.

I'm hoping that the loss of the Partnership will NOT mean the end of R S P B's links here on CT. Many of the Club's members are keen wildlife lovers and even more info just might gain you a few more members.

A B M

Roger Hancocks replied on 30/01/2020 17:44

Posted on 30/01/2020 17:44

Disappointed about this, but much more disappointed not to find out until I arrived at Old Moor today. Why wasn't the end of the concession more widely notified. i certainly didn't see it in the mag or via an email alert.

Needless to say i joined the RSPB and had a great day, but forewarned might have been better

JVB66 replied on 30/01/2020 17:58

Posted on 30/01/2020 17:58

I am also sorry that the partnership has ended but realise that like many organisations the forever rising costs to keep them solvent, means many are having to introduce charging for non members, and increases for members is only going to be felt by more on "tight" budgets , just hope it does not have to much of a detrimental effect on "foot fall"as time  costs,and prices keep increasingundecided

MichaelT replied on 30/01/2020 19:09

Posted on 30/01/2020 19:09

We gave up our membership of RSPB as it seemed to be less about birds and more about everything else in nature and way to political...

ocsid replied on 30/01/2020 19:34

Posted on 30/01/2020 19:34

Pity, it was a feature of our CMC membership we used, but not one we can justify to fund the additional stand alone £60 membership fee this change brings. Will miss it.

We will continue contributing our time, doing the garden survey, doing the year through feeding and keeping nest boxes going.  Getting a bit too old and infirm to take adequate advantage anyway.

Rocky 2 buckets replied on 30/01/2020 19:56

Posted on 30/01/2020 19:09 by MichaelT

We gave up our membership of RSPB as it seemed to be less about birds and more about everything else in nature and way to political...

Posted on 30/01/2020 19:56

Same here👍🏻, sick of letters asking for donations😤😤

replied on 30/01/2020 20:39

Posted on 30/01/2020 19:56 by Rocky 2 buckets

Same here👍🏻, sick of letters asking for donations😤😤

Posted on 30/01/2020 20:39

Never have had one as far as I am aware

ABM replied on 30/01/2020 21:24

Posted on 30/01/2020 21:24

I don't get letters / requests asking for donations either, but I do get the 'Seasonal ' draw tickets Which can always be returned at no cost to me . But the one thing that makes me smile comes with my annual renewal paperwork --  It's the Offer of cheap ( should that be cheep  ? ) Life  Fellow Membership for only £960 or so  for two.

I don't fret about the draws 'cos I get them from everything from Air Ambulance down - i accept that " Charity " means Please Cough Up  !

Rocky 2 buckets replied on 31/01/2020 09:03

Posted on 30/01/2020 20:39 by

Never have had one as far as I am aware

Posted on 31/01/2020 09:03

Mmmm, just us soft touches then, which could be correct as I have given to then in the past so I may have been targeted again🤷🏻‍♂️

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