• Language
    Language

To build your own Itinerary, click Add to Excursion to add an item to your Itinerary basket.

Already saved an Itinerary?

Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve

Type:Nature Reserve

Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve, Holmeswood Road, Rufford, Lancashire, L40 1TG

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 125 reviews125 reviews

Tel: 01704 821 809

Add Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve to your Itinerary

Check availability for Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve (opens in a new window)

Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve

Nestled amongst the peaceful agricultural landscape of Rufford, Mere Sands Wood is a true wildlife haven.  There is finally the opportunity to offer new visitor facilities.  Just what such a wonderful and well-loved nature reserve deserves.  A wonderful new visitor centre and cafe, full of board games and children's activities, allow you to take a break from your busy life and step into the peaceful surroundings of Mere Sands Wood, with a drink and a piece of cake or ice cream.

The shop is full of wildlife and nature inspired gifts and treats for all ages, many of which have been made on site by our team of volunteers.

From grebes to water rails; reed warblers to kingfishers; sparrowhawks to woodpeckers; Mere Sands Wood is absolutely brimming with beautiful birds.  It is also a wildflower and fungi haven.  Spring and summer bring orchids, yellow-wort and yellow bartsia, while autumn and winter usher in fly agaric, earthballs and common stinkhorn.

As the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, the aim is to ensure as many people as possible are able to experience wildlife and nature, which is why 95% of paths are suitable for wheelchairs and prams, while six hides are fully accessible. 

Book Tickets

Prices

Free admission.
Car parking charges: £4.00 all day.

3, 6, and 12 month parking passes are available to purchase online.

Opening Times

Season (1 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024)
DayTimes
Monday - Sunday10:00 - 15:00

Awards

  • Sub-Regional AwardsPartner of Visit Lancashire Partner of Visit Lancashire 2018

Directions

Road Directions

Mere Sands Wood is off the A59 in Rufford along Holmeswood Road. It shares a drive with Mere Sands Kennels.

Facilities

Other

  • On-Site café/restaurant
  • Picnic Site

Catering

  • Café

Children & Infants

  • Baby Bottle and Food Warming Facilities Available

Establishment Features

  • Disabled Access
  • Disabled Access/Toilets

Parking & Transport

  • Car Parking
  • Parking (charge)

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

3.5 of 5 stars
    • Excellent
      49
    • Very Good
      25
    • Average
      12
    • Poor
      14
    • Terrible
      25

    Recent Reviews:

      Follow Us

      What's Nearby

      What's Nearby

      What's Nearby

      1. National Trust Rufford Old Hall

        Follow in Shakespeare's footsteps and visit one of Lancashire's finest Tudor buildings…

        0.48 miles away
      2. Windmill Animal Farm

        Windmill Animal Farm is a great family day out, offering visitors the chance to…

        1.74 miles away
      3. WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre

        Enjoy splashing, dipping, playing, paddling and getting up-close-and-personal with some…

        1.94 miles away
      1. Crook Hall Farm

        Three well stocked fishing ponds which are ideally suited to the pleasure angler using…

        2.51 miles away
      2. Lancashire Canal Cruises

        Lancashire Canal Cruises take in the wonderful rural settings of the area. …

        2.55 miles away
      3. Cedar Farm

        Cedar Farm is a unique and exciting creative community hub. It is now home to 33…

        2.73 miles away
      4. Carnes Fine Art

        Carnes Fine Art are proud to be an independent art gallery, specialising in original…

        2.75 miles away
      5. Bretherton Gardens

        Three contrasting gardens spaced across one-and-a-half miles offer the opportunity to see…

        3.17 miles away
      6. Platts Lane Lake

        Platts Lane Lake, situated off Platts Lane, Burscough is one of West Lancashire's hidden…

        3.2 miles away
      7. The Mill House Gallery

        This stunning gallery is situated on the banks of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal in the rural…

        3.94 miles away
      8. Heskin Hall

        One of the best examples of Tudor architecture left in northern England, Heskin Hall is…

        4.5 miles away
      9. West Lancashire Light Railway

        Lancashire's only narrow gauge railway, A short 2ft operational, narrow gauge steam…

        4.56 miles away
      10. Hurlston Hall Golf Course

        Hurlston Hall is a superb 18 hole golf course with a par of 72. Set in 135 acres of…

        4.56 miles away
      11. Fairy Glen

        Nestled on the side of Parbold Hill, is a beautiful woodland walk called 'Fairy Glen'…

        4.75 miles away
      12. Park Hall Spa

         The Park Hall Spa offers a sanctuary of calm and rejuvenation.

        5.18 miles away
      13. GamerX Chorley

        Step into a world packed with excitement, adventure, and non-stop entertainment for all…

        5.18 miles away
      Previous Next

      Related

      Brockholes Nature Reserve, PrestonWhether it’s on the iconic floating visitor village or on the 250 acre nature reserve, Brockholes is full of nature moments just waiting for you to find. Located just off the M6, Brockholes is perfect for a family day out.

      Sign up for e-newsletter

      Don't Miss

      Don't Miss

      Don't Miss

      Don't Miss

      Don't Miss