Countryside Centre

Opened in 2000, the new Countryside Centre in Arrow Valley Park (access off the B4497, Battens Drive) is a great place to visit.

The centre spans three floors, includes countryside and wildlife display, an excellent gift shop with a wide variety of unusual inexpensive gifts. There is a Lake view café, which has a balcony overlooking the Arrow Valley Lake and a Conference room is available for hire. Below at the waterfront Youth Afloat (a charitable organisation) provides a section of water based activities for 8 - 18 year olds.

There are four way marked trails around the park and surrounding areas, with accompanying leaflets. Disabled access is available around the park, and we have a wheel chair available for use.

Wildlife

Four waymarked trails lead around the park and incorporate lakes, rivers, woodlands and meadows. Across the seasons visitors can expect to see a wide range of wildlife in the Valley. In the summer butterflies and wildflowers bring colour to the meadows, whilst winter waterfowl flock to the lakes in the Autumn. A woodland walk in spring is a treat as songbirds compete to announce their presence and bluebells carpet the floor. In the winter feeders by the visitor center attract a variety of birds including woodpeckers, goldfinches and siskins.

The valley also holds many undiscovered jewels and visitors may be lucky enough to see herons or terns fishing on the lakes or even the flash of the kingfisher as it races down a quiet stretch of river. Careful study of the wildflower meadows may also be rewarded with a view of a rare orchid or unusual butterfly. Great crested grebes frequent the larger pools and observers may be lucky enough to see their graceful displays in the spring.

Information

There is no admission charge to the centre ( Admission is FREE), but f you wish to fish the lake there are daily and season ticket charges. Day tickets are availble from the gift shop or will be collected on the bank by the Lake Supervisor. Season Ticket Adult 30.60 (Reddicard) 54.75 (without Reddicard) Junior 20.00 (Reddicard) 30.45 (without Reddicard)

Family Days

Regular Family Activities:

Family Drop in Workshops, Last Sunday in the month (except August)

Bring the whole family to one of our very popular workshops. We will be running a whole host of environmental activities throughout the year including nest box building, bulb planting and wild flower rambles. Participation is free though there may be occasional small charges for materials.

Kids Craft Club last Saturday in the month (except July and August)

Drop off the kids for a couple of hours and be amazed at their creations when you return. The children are given expert help and guidance as they build, hats, jewelry, cards and much more using traditional materials and techniques. £3 per child.

Fishing Charges

Related Documents

Country Side Centre April 2008  (3.17 MB)