College Lake Visitor Centre

An outstanding centre for wildlife that delights and informs wildlife watchers of all ages

Please note: the College Lake café will be closed between 20 - 26 January for a re-fit. We hope to reopen on 27 January. The visitor centre will remain open during this time, and only light refreshments and snacks will be available on 25 and 26 January. We are sorry for the inconvenience.

Explore the interactive displays in our visitor centre and around the reserve. Enjoy delicious food and drinks in the café or take stroll around our beautiful lake. College Lake is one of the best places in Buckinghamshire for water birds and there’s something to see all year round.

Facilities include:

Café offering delicious hot and cold refreshments
Gift shop with a great range of wildlife themed gifts, toys and books
Bird hides
Interactive geology displays
Farming and wildlife exhibit
Picnic facilities
Toilets, disabled toilets and baby changing
Signposted walk routes and seasonal Wildlife Discovery Trail

Nature reserve

Discover College Lake's wildlife

Find out more

Education centre

Education Centre at College Lake

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Getting around

Reserve and trails map

Download map

Where to find us

We are located 2 miles north of Tring, Buckinghamshire at:

College Lake, Upper Icknield Way, Bulbourne, Tring, Herts, HP23 5QG

Find us on GoogleMaps

Download a map and directions

Map and directions to College Lake

Opening times

We are now operating on autumn and winter opening times (Monday 28 October - Sunday 16 February).

Autumn and winter opening times

Day of the week	Reserve and car park	Café
Mon	9am-4pm (last admission 3pm)	9.30am-3pm
Tue	9am-4pm (last admission 3pm)	9.30am-3pm
Wed	9am-4pm (last admission 3pm)	9.30am-3pm
Thur	9am-4pm (last admission 3pm)	9.30am-3pm
Fri	9am-4pm (last admission 3pm)	9.30am-3pm
Sat	9.am-4pm (last admission 3pm)	9.30am-3pm
Sun	9.am-4pm (last admission 3pm)	9.30am-3pm

Admission to the centre is free. We ask for a donation of £3 for parking. Charges apply for special events (please see our Events page for more information)

Get the most from your visit

Access

Some wheelchair access, including hides; two mobility Tramper vehicles are avaliable to use - contact us on 01442 826774 or collegelake@bbowt.org.uk to book.

Walking information

Gentle slopes, some surfaced paths, gates, benches

Dogs

Assistance dogs only please.

Bikes and scooters

Help us look after the wildlife on this reserve by leaving scooters and bikes at home or locking them up on the racks provided. Enjoy stretching your legs on our reserve instead.