UK’s David Attenborough nature reserve where he learned about wildlife | UK | Travel

With walking trails, grazing animals and birdwatching spots, this glorious nature reserve is a place of dreams for someone like David Attenborough.

The natural historian was just five years old when his family moved to the East Midlands. He spent his childhood roaming around the woodlands, forests and bridleways, discovering the world he grew to dedicate his life to saving.

His love for the natural world grew in a region that is home to a village that shares his name. Attenborough village in nearby Nottinghamshire is where Sir David’s family name hails. Years later, it would go on to have much more meaning.

His father Frederick was raised nearby in the town of Stapleford, and his mother, Mary, in Long Eaton. Both are incredibly close to the village that shares their name. In 1966, this village would go on to be the home of the Attenborough Nature Reserve, opened by Sir David himself and owned by the Wildlife Trust.

The Nature Reserve

Located on Barton Lane is the Attenborough Nature Reserve, a paradise for wildlife lovers with a special interest in birds.

When talking about the reserve, the BBC host said: “Everybody needs to have a lifeline to the natural world, and as our towns and villages become larger, they’re becoming increasingly hard to find…the survival and flourishing of places like this demands continuous work and attention.”

This reserve in Nottinghamshire best known for its birds and is said to hold a high proportion of the country’s shoveller and diving ducks, as well as having the likes of mallard, teal, and wigeon.

The reserve is home to so much thriving wildlife. Since its inception, it has continued to grow as a space where locals and tourists can take a breath of fresh air. They can also expect to see: Shelducks, Sawbills, Sea Ducks, Otters, Bats, Butterflies, Dragonflies and Harvest Mice.

The beautiful reserve houses a number of walking trails depending on ability and time, and so many find themselves coming here in their spare time for a leisurely walk through nature.

One of these is the Tufted Duck Trail, a 1.6-mile circular walk around the site, filled with ducks in the pond and, throughout the spring, nesting herons.

A recent visitor to the reserve shared on TripAdvisor: “This is one of my favourite spots in Nottingham, and I’ve visited more times than I can remember. It is accessible on foot (along the canal), by car (I think parking is £3 for the full day), by train (Attenborough Station is a short walk away) or by bus (get off at Chilwell retail park and it’s just a short walk to the centre).”

Another shared: “It’s been over a year since our last visit, and it was great to be back. A lovely sunny day was perfect for a walk down to the river and round in a loop, past the ponds back to the car park. Plenty of birds, a few butterflies and dragonflies. It’s a great place for all ages, with lots of seats.”

In 2005, the nature reserve expanded with an education center and cafe, which was also opened by Sir David himself in 2005.