View location on map
New Far Ings visitor centre opens
Far Ings National Nature Reserve
New Far Ings visitor centre opens
- The new Visitor Centre at Far Ings, one of Lincolnshire's finest nature reserves, was opened by David Bellamy on Thursday 14 June 2007. The new Far Ings Visitor Centre features:
- Amazing views of the nearby pit and the Humber Estuary from the first floor.
- Two new teaching areas with modern facilities and equipment.
- A schools only outdoor teaching area with pond dipping platforms and a bird hide.
- A meeting room for community groups, businesses etc.
- Disabled access throughout.
- Free parking.
- Purpose built picnic areas.
- A small gift shop.
'Ings' is an old English word for the wet pastures to the west of Barton which, before embankment, were part of the Humber flood plain. Since Roman times the underlying clay has been used to make bricks and tiles.
In the late 19th century there were 15 brick and tile yards, as well as a cement works which also made use of the clay. Supplies of clay began to run out during the early 20th century when many yards were abandoned.
In the late 19th century there were 15 brick and tile yards, as well as a cement works which also made use of the clay. Supplies of clay began to run out during the early 20th century when many yards were abandoned.
The clay workings soon filled with water and were colonised by reed and willow, forming a haven for many wildflowers, insects and birds. In 1983 the Lincolnshire Trust acquired the 100 acres of old pits which now form the Far Ings Nature Reserve.
Highlights: The varied habitats support more than 230 species of wildflower, 50 nesting bird species, and a wealth of invertebrates including more than 250 species of moths.
Notable nesting species include great crested grebe, water rail, shoveler, pochard and ruddy duck. Whitethroat, lesser whitethroat, blackcap, and garden, reed, sedge, grasshopper and willow warblers, and, occasionally, chiffchaff also breed on the reserve, the numbers of reed warblers being the most significant. After an absence of 21 years, bitterns began breeding again in 2000.
Scrapes attract waders on passage, and common terns breed annually on rafts provided for them. In winter the open water and reedbeds are important for wildfowl. Numbers of duck can be large and include mallard, teal, gadwall, pochard, tufted and ruddy ducks, and shoveler, and occasionally rarities such as smew and red-crested pochard may be seen.
Highlights: The varied habitats support more than 230 species of wildflower, 50 nesting bird species, and a wealth of invertebrates including more than 250 species of moths.
Notable nesting species include great crested grebe, water rail, shoveler, pochard and ruddy duck. Whitethroat, lesser whitethroat, blackcap, and garden, reed, sedge, grasshopper and willow warblers, and, occasionally, chiffchaff also breed on the reserve, the numbers of reed warblers being the most significant. After an absence of 21 years, bitterns began breeding again in 2000.
Scrapes attract waders on passage, and common terns breed annually on rafts provided for them. In winter the open water and reedbeds are important for wildfowl. Numbers of duck can be large and include mallard, teal, gadwall, pochard, tufted and ruddy ducks, and shoveler, and occasionally rarities such as smew and red-crested pochard may be seen.
Humber Code of Conduct
Click here to see the Humber code of conduct, full of useful information and contacts for anyone visiting the Humber Estuary.
Click here to see the Humber code of conduct, full of useful information and contacts for anyone visiting the Humber Estuary.
Location and facilities: The reserves adjoin Far Ings Lane and are a short distance to the west of the Humber Bridge. A well maintained visitors’ route around the reserve can be accessed at the Visitor Centre in Far Ings Lane. The path is suitable for wheelchair access over most of its length (except when sheep are present when the gates have to be kept closed) and there is access for disabled persons at two bird hides.
There are public toilets, including facilities for disabled persons, at the Visitor Centre. There are eight hides on this route overlooking lakes, reedbeds and scrapes. The Barton Reedbed area of the reserve may be reached along the path on the river bank or along Far Ings Lane.
Grid reference: TA 011229
For more information, click here.
There are public toilets, including facilities for disabled persons, at the Visitor Centre. There are eight hides on this route overlooking lakes, reedbeds and scrapes. The Barton Reedbed area of the reserve may be reached along the path on the river bank or along Far Ings Lane.
Grid reference: TA 011229
For more information, click here.
These maps are intended as a guideline only; you must check the exact location of the reserve yourself. Wildlife Extra assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or usefulness of the information on this website.
