College Lake Visitor Centre
An outstanding centre for wildlife that delights and informs wildlife watchers of all ages
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
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
Opening times
We are now operating on spring and summer opening times.
Spring and summer opening times
|
Day of the week |
Reserve and car park | Café |
| Mon | 9.30am-5pm (last admission 4pm) | 9.30am-4pm |
| Tue | 9.30am-5pm (last admission 4pm) | 9.30am-4pm |
| Wed | 9.30am-5pm (last admission 4pm) | 9.30am-4pm |
| Thur | 9.30am-5pm (last admission 4pm) | 9.30am-4pm |
| Fri | 9.30am-5pm (last admission 4pm) | 9.30am-4pm |
| Sat | 9.30am-5pm (last admission 4pm) | 9.30am-4pm |
| Sun | 9.30am-5pm (last admission 4pm) | 9.30am-4pm |
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)
Christmas and New Year 2019-20 Opening Hours
|
Day |
Reserve and car park |
Cafe |
|
Mon 23 Dec |
9.30am – 2pm (last admission 1pm) |
9.30am – 1pm |
|
Tue 24 Dec (Christmas Eve) |
Closed |
Closed |
|
Wed 25 Dec (Christmas Day) |
Closed |
Closed |
|
Thu 26 Dec (Boxing Day) |
Closed |
Closed |
|
Fri 27 Dec |
Closed |
Closed |
|
Sat 28 Dec |
Closed |
Closed |
|
Sun 29 Dec |
Closed |
Closed |
|
Mon 30 Dec |
Closed |
Closed |
|
Tue 31 Dec (New Year’s Eve) |
Closed |
Closed |
|
Wed 1 Jan (New Year’s Day) |
9.30 am – 4pm (last admission 3pm) |
9.30am – 3pm |
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.
Group visits
We welcome groups, but ask that you let us know about your visit by contacting us on 01442 826774 or collegelake@bbowt.org.uk
More ways to get involved
Hire a space at one of our visitor centres or nature reserves, join a wildlife club, or plan a group visit.
Tring reservoirs Wild Walk
A longer walk exploring the Grand Union Canal and 3 reservoirs
Stay up-to-date with our work
Sign up below to receive the latest news from BBOWT, tips about how you can help wildlife, plus information on how you can get involved.