Free entry into Potteric Carr for Doncaster residents

Because of the importance of green spaces on our physical and mental wellbeing, the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, want to do everything they can to encourage people to pay a visit to the green spaces near them. They have introduced a new booking system at Potteric Carr too, so local residents and Wildlife Trusts members can visit safely and easily. 

Potteric Carr nature reserve is a wonderful wildlife haven just three miles from Doncaster town centre, a real urban green oasis. It’s a large reserve, with over 6 miles of pathways zigzagging through a mosaic of habitats. You and your family can enjoy the colours of the changing season, walk along tree-lined pathways and watch the birds coming to roost for the winter. Many think that winter is a boring time for wildlife, but a visit to Potteric will prove that isn’t the case! Listen for booming sound of bitterns calling from the reedbeds and watch dozens of ducks, geese and wading birds feeding out on the lake and marsh waters. 

From now until Wednesday 2nd December, Doncaster residents and Wildlife Trust members will be able to go online and book either a morning or an afternoon slot to visit Potteric Carr nature reserve at ywt.org.uk/events/2020-11-10-book-your-visit-potteric-carr-nature-reserve This new mandatory booking system allows them to manage the number of visitors and ensure social distancing can be achieved easily. There are two booking slots a day: 9.30am – 1pm and 1pm – 4.30pm. They currently have booking slots on the website for Tuesday 10th November – Sunday 15th (inclusive). On Friday 13th November, the booking slots will become available for the following week. Your visit to Potteric Carr will be completely free, though you can donate the cost of your visit to Yorkshire Wildlife Trust if you wish. 

The car park and toilets are both open, and the café is open for take away drinks only. Visitors should please wear a face covering when passing through the visitor centre to access the reserve, takeaway cafe and toilets. During your visit you can also take part in their brand-new Story Trail and help Spinny the spider find a new home! Go to ywt.org.uk/story-trail to find out more and download your map – don’t forget to bring a pencil with you on the day! 

‘Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is the only charity entirely dedicated to conserving, protecting, and enhancing Yorkshire's wildlife and wild places. Our vision is for a Yorkshire that is abundant in wildlife, with more people having a genuine and meaningful connection with nature. We believe in the importance of helping wildlife recover and thrive, but also how wildlife and wild places can help us too. We are hoping that by opening Potteric Carr up to the local community, we’ll be able to meet more of our fantastic neighbours and give them the opportunity to discover the wonderful benefits of nature’. 

For everyone else, please stay local and explore the wild patch on your doorstep during this time. Potteric Carr will be there when it is safe to return.