Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Telephone: 01206 738172
Email: Click here
Opening: Tuesday - Sunday 9.00am - 5.00pm plus Bank Holiday Mondays, but closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day
Address: Church Rd, Layer-de-la-Haye, Colchester, CO2 0EU
Grid ref: TL 963 184
Booking essential for all except free events
A wetland site of international importance for wildfowl. The site offers excellent birdwatching opportunities and fabulous views over the 1200 acre reservoir. There are facilities for the disabled in the Visitor Centre and boardwalk access to 2 of the 5 hides.
The Visitor Centre is 6 miles SW of Colchester on the B1026 (a minor road linking Colchester and Maldon) just S of Layer de la Haye - follow the brown and white "Wildfowl Centre" signs.
For more about the visitor centre click here
Booking is essential for most centre events, so make sure you call or visit the centre in advance to avoid disappointment.
View our upcoming events
Sun 4th Jul 2010 10:00-16:00 Optics Day 2 Are you just starting out in birdwatching and don't know where to begin, looking to upgrade those old binoculars or thinking about getting your first telescope? Come along to Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre on an Optics Day and let our friendly Optics Team help and advise you. Our range of binoculars, telescopes, tripods and accessories, carefully selected for quality, price and value for money, will be on display so you can try before your buy. Includes Opticron, Hawke and Minox. Special offers and secondhand available. All profits go to EWT to support our conservation work around the county. Free event. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Sat 17th Jul 2010 10:00-16:00 Optics Day 3 Are you just starting out in birdwatching and don't know where to begin, looking to upgrade those old binoculars or thinking about getting your first telescope? Come along to Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre on an Optics Day and let our friendly Optics Team help and advise you. Our range of binoculars, telescopes, tripods and accessories, carefully selected for quality, price and value for money, will be on display so you can try before your buy. Includes Opticron, Hawke and Minox. Special offers and secondhand available. All profits go to EWT to support our conservation work around the county. Free event. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Sat 24th Jul 2010 9:00-17:00 Birding on the Reservoir Weekend A joint event with Essex Birdwatching Society to promote birdwatching at it best. Guides to help with bird ID, binocular and telescope sales and advice, secondhand books, Swallow Birding stand, caterers on site. Birds should be plentiful, including common tern, nightingale, yellow wagtail, hobby and more. Come along and join the fun! Free event. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
20:00-23:45 Moth Evening Join us as we gather round our moth traps to discover what nocturnal creatures are attracted to the lights, with our local experts on hand to help with identification. We'll also use the bat detectors to see what else is about. Hot chocolate will be provided! Donation £5.00 per person. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Sun 25th Jul 2010 9:00-17:00 Birding on the Reservoir Weekend at Abberton A joint event with Essex Birdwatching Society to promote birdwatching at it best. Guides to help with bird ID, binocular and telescope sales and advice, secondhand books, Swallow Birding stand, caterers on site. Birds should be plentiful, including common tern, nightingale, yellow wagtail, hobby and more. Come along and join the fun! Free event. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Sat 31st Jul 2010 10:00-16:00 Birding Day Out Join our expert leaders for a day of field trips to various local sites. We'll use our up-to-date local knowledge to take you to the best places and see the best birds. Numbers are limited so please book early. Donation £20.00 per person. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Sun 1st Aug 2010 10:00-16:00 Optics Day 4 Are you just starting out in birdwatching and don't know where to begin, looking to upgrade those old binoculars or thinking about getting your first telescope? Come along to Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre on an Optics Day and let our friendly Optics Team help and advise you. Our range of binoculars, telescopes, tripods and accessories, carefully selected for quality, price and value for money, will be on display so you can try before your buy. Includes Opticron, Hawke and Minox. Special offers and secondhand available. All profits go to EWT to support our conservation work around the county. Free event. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Tue 3rd Aug 2010 10:30-14:00 Family Nature Day Bushcraft and Bivvies Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Wed 4th Aug 2010 10:30-15:00 Wildlife Discovery Day Bushcraft Adventures Donation £10.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Thu 5th Aug 2010 10:00-12:00 Family Nature Day Pond Patrol Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
13:30-15:30 Family Nature Day Natural Art and Craft Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Fri 6th Aug 2010 10:30-14:00 Family Nature Day Minibeast Hunters Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Tue 10th Aug 2010 10:30-14:00 Family Nature Day Crazy Camouflage Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Wed 11th Aug 2010 10:30-15:00 Wildlife Discovery Day Treasure and Trails Donation £10.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Thu 12th Aug 2010 10:00-12:00 Family Nature Day Minibeast Safari Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
13:30-15:30 Family Nature Day Pond Detectives Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Fri 13th Aug 2010 10:30-14:00 Family Nature Day Butterflies and Beasties Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Sun 15th Aug 2010 10:00-16:00 The 2 Ws A Birding Day Out focusing on the 2 Ws - warblers and waders. Donation £5.00 per person. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Tue 17th Aug 2010 10:30-14:00 Family Nature Day Junk Modelling Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Wed 18th Aug 2010 10:30-15:00 Wildlife Discovery Day Camouflage Voyagers Donation £10.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Thu 19th Aug 2010 10:00-12:00 Family Nature Day Tricky Treasure Hunts Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
13:30-15:30 Family Nature Day Tracks and Trails Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Fri 20th Aug 2010 10:30-14:00 Family Nature Day Minibeast Madness Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Sat 21st Aug 2010 10:00-16:00 Optics Day 5 Are you just starting out in birdwatching and don't know where to begin, looking to upgrade those old binoculars or thinking about getting your first telescope? Come along to Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre on an Optics Day and let our friendly Optics Team help and advise you. Our range of binoculars, telescopes, tripods and accessories, carefully selected for quality, price and value for money, will be on display so you can try before your buy. Includes Opticron, Hawke and Minox. Special offers and secondhand available. All profits go to EWT to support our conservation work around the county. Free event. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Tue 24th Aug 2010 10:30-14:00 Family Nature Day Bushcraft Bonanza Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Wed 25th Aug 2010 10:30-15:00 Wildlife Discovery Day Really Wild Day Donation £10.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
13:30-15:30 Family Nature Day Boat Challenge Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Thu 26th Aug 2010 10:00-12:00 Family Nature Day Pond Explorers Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
10:30-14:00 Family Nature Day Make A Mess Day Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
13:30-15:30 Family Nature Day Mega Minibeast Hunt Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Mon 30th Aug 2010 10:00-16:00 Optics Day 6 Are you just starting out in birdwatching and don't know where to begin, looking to upgrade those old binoculars or thinking about getting your first telescope? Come along to Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre on an Optics Day and let our friendly Optics Team help and advise you. Our range of binoculars, telescopes, tripods and accessories, carefully selected for quality, price and value for money, will be on display so you can try before your buy. Includes Opticron, Hawke and Minox. Special offers and secondhand available. All profits go to EWT to support our conservation work around the county. Free event. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Wed 1st Sep 2010 13:30-15:30 Family Nature Day Blackberrytastic! Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Sun 5th Sep 2010 9:00-17:00 Art Exhibition at Abberton An exhibition of paintings on display in the Visitor Centre. Further details to follow. Closed on Mondays. Free event. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
10:00-16:00 Optics Day 7 Are you just starting out in birdwatching and don't know where to begin, looking to upgrade those old binoculars or thinking about getting your first telescope? Come along to Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre on an Optics Day and let our friendly Optics Team help and advise you. Our range of binoculars, telescopes, tripods and accessories, carefully selected for quality, price and value for money, will be on display so you can try before your buy. Includes Opticron, Hawke and Minox. Special offers and secondhand available. All profits go to EWT to support our conservation work around the county. Free event. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Fri 10th Sep 2010 19:30-9:00 Family Nature Day Bat Evening Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Fri 17th Sep 2010 19:30-21:00 Family Nature Day Bushcraft and Den Building Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Sat 18th Sep 2010 10:00-16:00 LBJ Workshop A Birding Day Out focusing on LBJs - little brown jobs! Donation £20.00 per person. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
10:00-16:00 Optics Day 8 Are you just starting out in birdwatching and don't know where to begin, looking to upgrade those old binoculars or thinking about getting your first telescope? Come along to Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre on an Optics Day and let our friendly Optics Team help and advise you. Our range of binoculars, telescopes, tripods and accessories, carefully selected for quality, price and value for money, will be on display so you can try before your buy. Includes Opticron, Hawke and Minox. Special offers and secondhand available. All profits go to EWT to support our conservation work around the county. Free event. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Sat 2nd Oct 2010 10:30-16:30 Thames Barge Trip Join us at Ipswich (Haven Marina) for a day's birdwatching along the Rivers Orwell & Stour. Fully catered trip. Booking in advance is essential. Donation £45.00 per person. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Sun 3rd Oct 2010 10:00-16:00 Optics Day 9 Are you just starting out in birdwatching and don't know where to begin, looking to upgrade those old binoculars or thinking about getting your first telescope? Come along to Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre on an Optics Day and let our friendly Optics Team help and advise you. Our range of binoculars, telescopes, tripods and accessories, carefully selected for quality, price and value for money, will be on display so you can try before your buy. Includes Opticron, Hawke and Minox. Special offers and secondhand available. All profits go to EWT to support our conservation work around the county. Free event. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
10:30-16:30 Thames Barge Trip Ipswich Join us at Ipswich (Haven Marina) for a day's birdwatching along the Rivers Orwell and Stour. Fully catered trip. Booking in advance is essential. Donation £45.00 per person. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Sat 9th Oct 2010 10:30-15:30 Thames Barge Trip Brightlingsea Join us as we set sail from Brightlingsea for a day's birdwatching along the Rivers Colne and Blackwater. Fully catered trip. Booking in advance is essential. Donation £40.00 per person. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Sun 10th Oct 2010 10:30-15:30 Thames Barge Trip October Join us as we set sail from Brightlingsea for a day's birdwatching along the Rivers Colne and Blackwater. Fully catered trip. Booking in advance is essential. Donation £40.00 per person. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Tue 26th Oct 2010 10:30-14:00 Family Nature Day Autumnal warm up Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Wed 27th Oct 2010 10:30-15:00 Wildlife Discovery Day Autumnal Adventures Donation £10.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Thu 28th Oct 2010 10:00-12:00 Family Nature Day Autumn Bugs Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
13:30-15:30 Family Nature Day Orienteering Challenge Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Fri 29th Oct 2010 10:30-14:00 Family Nature Day Creepy Craft Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Sat 30th Oct 2010 10:00-16:00 Birding Day Out October Join our expert leaders for a day of field trips to various local sites. We'll use our up-to-date local knowledge to take you to the best places and see the best birds. Numbers are limited so please book early. Donation £20.00 per person. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
17:00-18:30 Family Nature Day Halloween Fun Donation £5.00 per child. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Sat 6th Nov 2010 10:30-15:30 Thames Barge Trip Maldon Join us at Maldon for an interesting combination of a two-hour sail on the River Blackwater, with lunch on board the barge, followed by a guided walk along the sea wall from Hythe Quay. Booking in advance is essential. Donation £27.50 per person. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Sun 7th Nov 2010 10:00-16:00 Optics Day 10 Are you just starting out in birdwatching and don't know where to begin, looking to upgrade those old binoculars or thinking about getting your first telescope? Come along to Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre on an Optics Day and let our friendly Optics Team help and advise you. Our range of binoculars, telescopes, tripods and accessories, carefully selected for quality, price and value for money, will be on display so you can try before your buy. Includes Opticron, Hawke and Minox. Special offers and secondhand available. All profits go to EWT to support our conservation work around the county. Free event. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Sat 20th Nov 2010 10:00-16:00 Optics Day 11 Are you just starting out in birdwatching and don't know where to begin, looking to upgrade those old binoculars or thinking about getting your first telescope? Come along to Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre on an Optics Day and let our friendly Optics Team help and advise you. Our range of binoculars, telescopes, tripods and accessories, carefully selected for quality, price and value for money, will be on display so you can try before your buy. Includes Opticron, Hawke and Minox. Special offers and secondhand available. All profits go to EWT to support our conservation work around the county. Free event. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Sun 28th Nov 2010 10:00-16:00 Waders Galore A Birding Day Out focusing on waders. Donation £20.00 per person. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Sat 4th Dec 2010 10:00-16:00 Optics Day 12 Are you just starting out in birdwatching and don't know where to begin, looking to upgrade those old binoculars or thinking about getting your first telescope? Come along to Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre on an Optics Day and let our friendly Optics Team help and advise you. Our range of binoculars, telescopes, tripods and accessories, carefully selected for quality, price and value for money, will be on display so you can try before your buy. Includes Opticron, Hawke and Minox. Special offers and secondhand available. All profits go to EWT to support our conservation work around the county. Free event. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Sun 5th Dec 2010 10:00-16:00 Optics Day 13 Are you just starting out in birdwatching and don't know where to begin, looking to upgrade those old binoculars or thinking about getting your first telescope? Come along to Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre on an Optics Day and let our friendly Optics Team help and advise you. Our range of binoculars, telescopes, tripods and accessories, carefully selected for quality, price and value for money, will be on display so you can try before your buy. Includes Opticron, Hawke and Minox. Special offers and secondhand available. All profits go to EWT to support our conservation work around the county. Free event. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Sat 11th Dec 2010 10:00-16:00 Optics Day 14 Are you just starting out in birdwatching and don't know where to begin, looking to upgrade those old binoculars or thinking about getting your first telescope? Come along to Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre on an Optics Day and let our friendly Optics Team help and advise you. Our range of binoculars, telescopes, tripods and accessories, carefully selected for quality, price and value for money, will be on display so you can try before your buy. Includes Opticron, Hawke and Minox. Special offers and secondhand available. All profits go to EWT to support our conservation work around the county. Free event. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
10:00-16:00 Gull ID Workshop A Birding Day Out focusing on the intricacies of gull identification and ageing. Donation £20.00 per person. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Sun 12th Dec 2010 10:00-16:00 Optics Day 15 Are you just starting out in birdwatching and don't know where to begin, looking to upgrade those old binoculars or thinking about getting your first telescope? Come along to Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre on an Optics Day and let our friendly Optics Team help and advise you. Our range of binoculars, telescopes, tripods and accessories, carefully selected for quality, price and value for money, will be on display so you can try before your buy. Includes Opticron, Hawke and Minox. Special offers and secondhand available. All profits go to EWT to support our conservation work around the county. Free event. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
10:00-16:00 Waders Galore December A Birding Day Out focusing on waders. Donation £20.00 per person. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Sat 18th Dec 2010 10:30-14:00 Family Nature Day Christmas Crackers Donation £5.00 per child + £2.50 to visit Father Christmas. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Tue 21st Dec 2010 10:30-14:00 Family Nature Day Christmas Arts Crafts Donation £5.00 per child + £2.50 to visit Father Christmas. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
Wed 22nd Dec 2010 10:30-14:00 Family Nature Day Abberton Festive Fun Day Donation £5.00 per child + £2.50 to visit Father Christmas. Please telephone the visitor centre for more information or to book your place. Location Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre
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