Accessibility at our Country Parks

Barnwell Country Park is a former sand and gravel quarry, that opened as a country park in 1971. The pits now form lakes to walk around.

Mobile phone signal across the park is patchy due to the rural location.

Arrival

The main entrance to the park is on Barnwell Road between the A605 and the market town of Oundle. There are brown ‘tourist destinations’ signs to help visitors. The What3Words location is ///outright.gates.operation 

The postcode for satnav is PE8 5PB

Public transport

Closest stop is at The Mill on Barnwell Road, approximately 0.2 miles (300 metres) away. The What3Words location is ///mountains.rushed.smirks There is a footpath to the park from the bus stop, although conditions vary.

Accessible parking - parking machine

There is one car park at Barnwell Country Park which is open 24 hours a day.

There are three accessible parks spaces located on the right and one on the left as you enter the car park. 

Our car parks are pay and display for all users including blue badge holders. Motorcycles are exempt. The pay and display machines outside the visitor centre are visible from the entrance to the park. The distance from the accessible spaces to the closest pay and display machine is 20 metres maximum.

Parking charges are £3.50 for up to 12 hours. Overnight parking is not permitted unless a fishing season ticket is held and clearly displayed (maximum of 2 nights).

The car parking machines take coin, card, and contactless payments. 

You can also pay via the PayByPhone app. Barnwell Country Park’s location number is 810060.

Weather permitting, during peak times we also have meadow parking available.

There are no electric charging points on site.

Paths - waymarked trails, benches

Barnwell Country Park has three waymarked trails using paths that are mainly compacted stone. Where possible the paths are approximately 1.5 metres wide. Due to the natural landscape of the park the paths may be uneven. There are no steep sections in the park. There are benches throughout.

Lakeside Stroll (yellow way markers). 1/3 mile (0.4km). Proximity to water min 0.5 metre.

Kingfisher Nature Trail (red way markers). 2/3 mile (0.8km). Proximity to water min 0.5 metre.

Riverside Walk (black way markers). 1 mile (1.6km). Proximity to water min 0.5 metre.

Horses are not permitted in the park.

A downloadable map is available on the park’s main website 

A tactile map for those with visual impairments is located to the left of the visitor centre door and the car parking machines.

Accessible toilets

Barnwell Country Park has a Changing Places toilet, located next to the accessible parking spaces.

The What3Words location is ///cubs.unrated.shrub

There are separate male toilets with step free access, female toilets with a single step access and a larger toilet with slope access. 

There is a radar key available from the café and the Ranger’s Office. Ranger teams are often working away from the office, therefore we recommend bringing your own radar key.

All toilets are open: 

• April to October: 9am to 4:30pm
• November to March: 9am to 4pm

Mobility Scooter Hire

A mobility scooter is available to hire from 10am and must be returned by 4pm. It costs £5 for 2 hours, cash only, and must be booked in advance with the rangers by phone or email.

Staff on site

We have staff on duty in our parks during the normal opening hours. Due to the nature of the ranger’s work, they may be away from the office working in the park.

The rangers are on site: 

• April to October: 9am to 4:30pm
• November to March: 9am to 4pm

First aid and defibrillator

A first aid kit is available at the Rangers Office. Ranger teams are often working away from the office and may not always be available to support. If urgent help is needed, please call 999.

There is currently no defibrillator on site.

Café

The café is located behind the visitor centre, approximately 40 metres from the accessible parking spaces. The café is accessed through a door that is 84 cm wide; when the double doors are open the width is 168 cm maximum. It is a counter service facility with an indoor and outdoor seating. There is a ramp around the café to access the outside decking and covered area.

The café is open:

• January: Monday to Tuesday - closed, Wednesday to Friday - 10am to 3pm, Weekends - 10am to 4pm
• April to October: Monday to Sunday - 10am to 4pm
• November to March: Monday to Friday - 10am to 3pm, Weekends - 10am to 4pm

Fishing

Fishing at Barnwell is by Season permit only. There are four accessible platforms which are prioritised for those with accessibility requirements.

Find out more about fishing at our parks.

Play area

There are two play areas at Barnwell Country Park. The toddler play area is located just behind the visitor centre near the café. The surface is woodchip and accessed through a gate that is 115 cm wide. The main play area is approximately 60 metres from the accessible parking and accessed through a gate that is 134 cm wide. The area has mixed surfaces including grass, sand and woodchip.

Dogs

Well-behaved dogs are welcome at our parks. Please ensure you follow all signage where it is requested that dogs be kept on leads. Dogs are not allowed in any of our play areas.

Education facilities

Our education team deliver a wide range of learning and wellbeing activities. At Barnwell Country Park as well as using public access spaces we also have a private Wild Zone consisting of mainly grass surface with access to trees and the water’s edge.

The visitor centre is used for indoor activities and is accessible for wheelchair users and is on ground level.

For more information about our education activities please email [email protected]

Volunteering opportunities

All our parks have volunteering opportunities. Please contact [email protected] to discuss any specific access requirements.

Contact details

Barnwell Country Park

Barnwell Road
Oundle
PE8 5PB

0300 126 5931

[email protected]

Please note our ranger teams are often working away from the office. They will reply as soon as they are able to.

Park development

We are constantly developing our parks to make improvements for both the environment and our visitors. As changes are made, we consider access requirements to ensure as many people as possible can enjoy nature.

This guide aims to accurately describe the facilities and services that we offer to our visitors. If there is any information missing that would be useful in accessing our parks, please email [email protected].

Find out more about Barnwell Country Park.

East Carlton Country Park is set in 102 acres of parks and woodland near Corby.

Phone signal is generally good across the park.

Arrival

The park is located off the A427 in the village of East Carlton. There are brown ‘tourist destinations’ signs to help visitors. The What3Words location is ///mows.prongs.hindering

The postcode for satnav is LE16 8YF

Public transport

The closest bus stop to the park is just outside the park approximately 500m from the entrance on the A427. The What3Words location is ///folders.spud.strange

Accessible parking

There is one car park at East Carlton Country Park. Which is open from dawn until dusk. There are seven accessible parks spaces two at the entrance and five by the main car park.

There is a height barrier to access a section of the car parking area. The maximum height for vehicles passing under the barrier is 2.1 metres.

Parking at the park is free of charge.

Weather permitting, during peak times we also have meadow parking available.

There are no electric charging points on site.

Paths - waymarked trails, benches

East Carlton Country Park has three waymarked trails using paths that are mainly compacted stone. Where possible the paths are approximately 1 metre wide. Due to the natural landscape of the park the paths may be uneven, with all of the marked paths having steep sections. There are benches throughout the park.

Green route - short walk 0.6miles (1km).

Blue route - medium walk 1 mile. (1.6km). Between two ponds, with no barriers.

Red route - long walk 1.3 miles (2.1km).

Horses are not permitted in the park.

A downloadable map is available on the park’s main website.

A tactile map for those with visual impairments is located at the top of the path from the car park as you walk towards the shop and café.

Accessible toilets

East Carlton Country Park has a Changing Places toilet which is 80 metres from the accessible parking spaces and is available for use during the cafes normal opening hours.  

The toilets are open:

• October to March: 10am to 3:30pm
• April to September: 10am to 4:30pm

The What3Words location is ///tickles.crypt.chemistry

There are separate male and female toilets with step free access. All of the toilets are accessed from outside and available during cafe opening hours.

There is a radar key available in the café during normal opening hours. We recommend bringing your own.

Staff on site

We have staff on duty in our parks during the normal opening hours. Due to the nature of the rangers work they may be away from the office working in the park.

The rangers are on site:

• April to October: 9am to 4:30pm
• November to March: 9am to 4pm

First aid and defibrillator

A first aid kit is available at the café, during normal opening hours. Ranger teams are often working away from the office and may not always be available to support. If urgent help is needed please call 999.

The defibrillator can be found outside café doors. The What3Words location is ///handsets.mended.user The code can be acquired by ringing 999.  

Café

The café is located approximately 80 metres from the accessible parking spaces. The café is a counter service facility with indoor and outdoor seating. The café and accessed through a door that is 1 metre wide, during warmer weather this can be opened fully to approximately 3 metres wide.

The café is open:

• April to September: 10am to 4:30pm
• October to March: 10am to 3:30pm

Play area

The play area at East Carlton Country Park is located opposite the café. The surface is grass and sand and accessed by a tarmac path and gate that is 1.2 metres wide.

Dogs

Well-behaved dogs are welcome at our parks. Please ensure you follow all signage where it is requested that dogs be kept on leads. Dogs are not allowed in any of our play areas.

Education facilities

Our education team deliver a wide range of learning and wellbeing activities. At East Carlton Country Park as well as using public access spaces we have a private Wild Zone that consists of a grass area and natural woodland.

For more information about our education activities please email [email protected].    

Volunteer opportunity

All of our parks have volunteering opportunities. Please contact [email protected] to discuss any specific access requirements.

Contact details

East Carlton Country Park
East Carlton, near Market Harborough
Leicestershire
LE16 8YF
01536 464072
[email protected] 

Please note our ranger teams are often working away from the office. They will reply as soon as they are able to.

Park development

We are constantly developing our parks to make improvements for both the environment and our visitors. As changes are made we consider access requirements to ensure as many people as possible can enjoy nature.

This guide aims to accurately describe the facilities and services that we offer to our visitors. If there is any information missing that would be useful in accessing our parks please email [email protected].

Find out more about East Carlton Country Park.

Fermyn Woods Country Park is a former sand and gravel quarry, that opened as a country park in March 1985. The park is a site of national importance for butterflies.

The mobile phone signal across the country park is generally good.

Arrival

The main entrance to the park is on the A6116 near Brigstock. There are brown ‘tourist destinations’ signs to help visitors. The What3Words location is ///decimals.sings.remains

The postcode for satnav is NN14 3HS

Public transport

The closest bus stop to the park is approximately a quarter of a mile away, on the Sudborough Road in Brigstock. The What3Words location is ///refuses.counters.shook.

There is pedestrian access from Barnard’s Way, Brigstock that uses a footbridge to cross the A6116.

Accessible parking - parking machine

There are two car parks at Fermyn Woods Country Park. The main car park is open 24 hours a day and has three accessible parking spaces.

There are three accessible parking spaces located in front of the café, on the left as you enter the park. This car park is open during normal opening hours; details can be found on our website.

There is a height barrier to enter some areas of the car park. The maximum height for vehicles passing under the barrier is 2 metres (6 foot 7 inches).

Our car parks are pay and display for all users including blue badge holders. Motorcycles are exempt. The pay and display machine is near the accessible parking and approximately 120 metres from the main car park.

Weather permitting, during peak times we also have meadow parking available.

Parking charges are £3.50 for up to 12 hours. Overnight parking is not permitted.

The car parking machines take coin, card, and contactless payments.

You can also pay via the PayByPhone app. Fermyn Woods Country Park’s location number is 810061.

There are no electric charging points on site.

Paths - waymarked trails, benches

Fermyn Woods Country Park has three waymarked trails using paths that are mainly compacted stone and in places soft track. Where possible the paths are approximately 1.8 metres wide. Due to the natural landscape of the park the paths may be uneven, with some of the marked paths having steep sections. There are benches throughout the park.

Red route - ½ mile (0.8km) hard standing path goes round the park, passes close to Reedy Pond.

Purple route - 1 mile (1.7km) hard standing goes through a section of Fermyn Woods, section runs along a ditch. The woodland section has more challenging slope if pushing a wheelchair or pushchair.

Orange route - 2 ¼ miles (3.5km) hard standing and grass Perimeter path around Fermyn Woods. The woodland section has more uneven ground and a more challenging slope if pushing a wheelchair or pushchair.

A tactile map for those with visual impairments is located to the right of the Skylark Café outdoor seating area, at the start of the trails. 

A downloadable map is available.

Horses are not permitted in the park.

Accessible toilets

Fermyn Woods Country Park has a Changing Places toilet available during normal opening hours.

What3Words location///tinney,token.survey

The toilets are 28 metres from the café car park accessible parking spaces and 110 metres from the main car park accessible parking. There are separate male, female and accessible toilets at Fermyn Woods Country Park, all with step free access.

The accessible toilet has hand rails next to the toilet and a baby changing facility. 

All of the toilets are accessed from outside and are available during normal opening hours.

A radar key is available from the café during normal opening hours. We recommend bringing your own radar key.

The toilets are open:

• April to September: 10am to 4:30pm
• October to March: 10am to 3:30pm

Staff on site

We have staff on duty in our parks during the normal opening hours. Due to the nature of the rangers work they may be away from the office working in the park.

The rangers are on site: 

• April to October: 9am to 4:30pm
• November to March: 9am to 4pm

First aid and defibrillator

A first aid kit is available at the Rangers Office. Ranger teams are often working away from the office and may not always be available to support. If urgent help is needed please call 999.

The Defibrillator is on the wall by the toilets. The access code is registered with the local emergency services. The What3Words location is ///resonates.romance.flood

Café

The café is located approximately 28 metres from the café car park accessible parking spaces and 110 metres from the main car park accessible parking. The café is accessed through external doors that are 0.9 metres when one is open and 1.6 metres when both are open, the internal doors are 0.6 metres when one is open and 1.5 metres when both are open. It is a counter service facility with indoor and outdoor seating. Due to the natural landscape of the park, there is a slope up to the café.

A large print menu is available.

The café is open:

• April to September: 10am to 4:30pm
• October to March: 10am to 3:30pm

Fishing

Fishing at Fermyn Woods is permitted at Big Pit Pond, located by following the Orange or Purple trails from the Skylark Café. Due to the natural landscape of the park the paths may be uneven, with some of the marked paths having steep sections.

Find out more about fishing at our parks.

Play areas

There are two play areas at Fermyn Woods Country Park. The toddler play area is located near the toilets, the café car park accessible parking is 24m from the toddler play area and is 126 metres from the main car park accessible parking. The surface is woodchip and accessed through a gate that is 1.4 metres wide.

The main play area is 70 metres from the café car park accessible parking and is 14 metres from the main car park accessible parking and accessed through a gate that is 1.4 metres wide. The area has mixed surfaces including grass, woodchip and sand.

Dogs

Well-behaved dogs are welcome at our parks. Please ensure you follow all signage where it is requested that dogs be kept on leads. Dogs are not allowed in any of our play areas.

Education facilities

Our education team deliver a wide range of learning and wellbeing activities. At Fermyn Woods Country Park as well as using public access spaces we also have a private Wild Zone consisting of a shelter and natural woodland.

For more information about our education activities please email [email protected].

Volunteer opportunity 

All of our parks have volunteering opportunities. Please contact [email protected] to discuss any specific access requirements.

Contact details

Fermyn Woods Country Park

0300 126 5933

[email protected]

Please note our ranger teams are often working away from the office. They will reply as soon as they are able to.

Park development

We are constantly developing our parks to make improvements for both the environment and our visitors. As changes are made, we consider access requirements to ensure as many people as possible can enjoy nature.

This guide aims to accurately describe the facilities and services that we offer to our visitors. If there is any information missing that would be useful in accessing our parks, please email [email protected].

Find out more about Fermyn Woods Country Park.

Irchester Country Park is a former iron stone quarry, the iron ore has been used in constructing the London Underground, the old Wembley Stadium and the Sidney Harbour Bridge. The site opened as a country park in 1971.

Phone signal across the park is generally good.

Arrival

The main entrance to the park is just outside the village of Irchester on Gypsy Lane (B570) off the A509 between Wellingborough and Wollaston. There are brown ‘tourist destinations’ signs to help visitors. The What3 Words location is ///treetop.wolves.prepare.

The post code for satnav is NN29 7DL

Public transport

There is a bus stop at the entrance to the park. However, there is no pedestrian crossing to get across the B570. The What3Words location is ///exhaling.milkman.recoup

There is also pedestrian access from Daniels Road in Little Irchester. This access has an accessible gate, larger wheelchairs and accessibility scooters will require a RADAR key to enable the gate to be fully opened. Please close and lock the gate after use to help us keep visitors safe.

The final pedestrian access is via a public right of way across fields from either School Lane or St Katherines Way in Irchester. The access into the park is via steps and brings you into the park at the North East Corner, the furthest point from the main visitor area and toilets.

Accessible parking - parking machine

There are three car parks at Irchester Country Park. The top car park is open 24 hours a day. The café and woodland car parks are locked each evening. The time that gates are locked varies dependant on the time of the year. Please visit our website for more information.

There are six accessible parking spaces in the café car park. This can be found by following the road down into the park until you see the buildings in front of you. The café car park is found by turning left at the junction by the buildings.

Our car parks are pay and display for all users including blue badge holders. Motorcycles are exempt. There are pay and display machines in all three car parks. The distance from the accessible spaces to the closest pay and display machine is 45 metres.

Weather permitting, during peak times we also have meadow parking available.

Parking charges are £3.50 for up to 12 hours. Overnight parking is not permitted.

The car parking machines take coin, card, and contactless payments.

You can also pay via the PayByPhone app. Irchester Country Park’s location number is 810062.

There are no electric charging points on site.

Paths - waymarked trails, benches

Irchester Country Park has four waymarked trails using paths that are mainly compacted stone. Where possible the paths are at least 2m wide. Due to the natural landscape of the park the paths may be uneven, with some of the marked paths having steep sections. There are benches throughout the park at approximately every 200 metres.

Easy access trail (purple way markers) is 0.5 miles (0.8km) long on fully surfaced stone paths and has minimal gradients.

Woodland trail (green way markers) is 1.33 miles (2.25km) long and mostly surfaced stone paths, although some sections are through the woodland with a few steps. Due to the natural landscape some paths have a gradient of up to 1:12.

Ironstone Heritage Trail (Orange way markers) is 2.5 miles (3.8km) long. The main woodland section is surfaced with stone paths. The sections of the route from Long Meadow to the Railway Museum section is grass, parts of which can get very boggy in wet weather. Due to the natural landscape some paths have a gradient of up to 1:12.

There are 2 tactile maps installed at the park for those with visual impairments. One is located at the start of the Quarry Path to the right of the main entrance as you enter the park. The other is located between the toilets and the main playground at the lower end of the park.

A downloadable map is available on the park’s main website.

Horses are not permitted in the park.

Accessible toilets

Irchester Country Park has a Changing Places toilet which is available for use 24 hours a day with a radar key and is accessed by a ramp or three steps. The toilets are approximately 30 metres from the nearest accessible space.

There is a radar key available from the Ranger’s Office. Ranger teams are often working away from the office, therefore we recommend bringing your own radar key.

The What3Words location is ///mildest.mermaids.headlines.

There are separate male and female toilets on ground level accessed from outside. We also have additional female only toilets, with access up 5 steps, which is opened during peak periods.

The main toilets are open:

• April to July: 9am to 5pm weekdays and 9am to 7pm weekends
• School summer holidays: 9am to 7pm
• September to end of October half term: 9am to 5pm weekdays and 9am to 7pm weekends
• November to March: 9am to 4pm
• Christmas Day - closed

Staff on site

We have staff on duty in our parks during the normal opening hours. Due to the nature of the rangers work they may be away from the office working in the park.

The rangers are on site: 

• April to October: 9am to 4:30pm
• November to March: 9am to 4pm

First aid and defibrillator

A first aid kit is available at the Rangers Office. Ranger teams are often working away from the office and may not always be available to support. If urgent help is needed, please call 999.

The Defibrillator is on the wall near the Changing Places Facility. The access code is registered with the local emergency services. The What3Words location is ///present.fingernails.homelands

Café

The café is located next to the accessible parking. It is a counter service facility with a separate indoor seating accessed by a slope. The entrance is through a double doorway.

The café is open:

• April to July: 9am to 5pm weekdays and 9am to 7pm weekends
• School summer holidays: 9am to 7pm
• September to end of October half term: 9am to 5pm weekdays and 9am to 7pm weekends
• November to March: 9am to 4pm
• Christmas Day - closed

Play area

The play area is located near the toilets and has a range of equipment. The area is mainly grass and sand. The access into the area is via gateway that is 1m wide. 

The Ant Nest and Buzzard play areas can be found in the woods by following the Woodland Trail. Both areas have woodchip surface.

Dogs

Well-behaved dogs are welcome at our parks. Please ensure you follow all signage where it is requested that dogs be kept on leads. Dogs are not allowed in any of our play areas.

Education facilities

Our education team deliver a wide range of learning and wellbeing activities. At Irchester Country Park as well as using public access spaces we also have a private Wild Zone consisting of natural woodland area and the Old Tree Nursery. The Old Tree Nursery has a mixture of surfaces including grass, concrete and crushed stone. There is also raised beds, raised pond and a shelter.

The Nature Hut is used for indoor activities and is accessed through a 0.75m wide door. The door threshold is not level.

For more information about our education activities please email [email protected].

Volunteer opportunity 

All of our parks have volunteering opportunities. Please contact [email protected] to discuss any specific access requirements.

Contact details

Irchester Country Park
Gipsy Lane
Irchester
Northamptonshire
NN29 7DL

0300 126 5934

[email protected]

Please note our ranger teams are often working away from the office. They will reply as soon as they are able to.

Park development

We are constantly developing our parks to make improvements for both the environment and our visitors. As changes are made we consider access requirements to ensure as many people as possible can enjoy nature.

This guide aims to accurately describe the facilities and services that we offer to our visitors. If there is any information missing that would be useful in accessing our parks please email [email protected].

Find out more about Irchester Country Park.

Sywell Country Park is a former drinking water reservoir that supplied water to Rushden and Higham Ferrers area. The park opened in 1985.

Phone signal across the park is patchy due to the natural landscape of the park.

Arrival

The park is located on Washbrook Lane, accessed from the Earls Barton to Mears Ashby Road, near Earls Barton crossroads on the A4500. There are brown ‘tourist destinations’ signs to help visitors.

The What3Words location for the lower car park entrance (easy access to the toilets, café and play areas) is ///lyrics.booth.guarding

The What3Words location for the upper car park entrance (easy access to the reservoir walk) is ///slugs.making.fish.

The postcode for satnav is NN6 0QX.

Public transport

The closest bus stop to the park is approximately a mile away in Ecton village, please note there are no footpaths along the roads leading to the park.

Accessible parking - parking machine

There are two car parks at Sywell Country Park. The Upper car park provides easy access to the reservoir path. The lower car park is near the café, toilets and play areas. It is possible to walk up to the reservoir from the lower car park; however, the paths are steep due to the natural landscape of the park.

There are five accessible parking spaces in the upper car, these are located at the far end near the pay and display machines. In the lower car park, there are two accessible spaces located next to the pay and display machines.

Weather permitting, during peak times we also have meadow parking available.

Our car parks are pay and display for all users including blue badge holders. Motorcycles are exempt. The pay and display machines are next to the accessible parking.

Parking charges are £3.50 for up to 12 hours. Overnight parking is not permitted unless a fishing season ticket is held and clearly displayed (maximum of 2 nights).

The car parking machines take coin, card, and contactless payments.

You can also pay via the PayByPhone app. Sywell Country Park’s location number is 810063.

There are no electric charging points on site.

Paths - trails, benches

Sywell Country Park has two trails using paths that are mainly compacted stone. Where possible the paths are approximately 3m wide. Due to the natural landscape of the park the paths may be uneven. The paths up to the reservoir and dam wall from the lower car park are steep. The path to the top of the dam on the left-hand side is longer but has a gentler gradient. There are benches throughout the park.

There is a waterworks heritage trail located on and below the dam that is approximately 0.6 miles (1km) long and includes information boards on the reservoir’s history. It begins at the valve tower on the reservoir dam and finishes in the ancient sheep wash near the café. There are regular resting spots along the way.

The reservoir trail is 2.5 miles (4km) long (3.1 miles/5km if the extra loop through Spindle End wildlife refuge is taken) and enables visitors to make a circuit of the reservoir.

There are several accessible gates along the way but larger wheelchairs and accessibility scooters will require a RADAR key to enable the gate to be fully opened. Please close and lock the gates after use to help us keep visitors safe.

Benches are located every 200 metres along the route.

Horses are not permitted in the park.

A tactile map for those with visual impairments is located between the café outdoor seating area and toilets.

A downloadable map is available.

Accessible toilets

There are separate male, female and accessible toilets at Sywell Country Park, in the lower car park. all with step free access and baby change facilities. The toilets are approximately 15 metres from the accessible parking spaces and are accessed via a slope.

All of the toilets are accessed from outside and are available during normal opening hours.

A RADAR key is not required for the accessible toilet.

Staff on site

We have staff on duty in our parks during the normal opening hours. Due to the nature of the rangers work they may be away from the office working in the park.

The rangers are on site: 

• April to October: 9am to 4:30pm
• November to March: 9am to 4pm

First aid and defibrillator

A first aid kit is available at the Rangers Office. Ranger teams are often working away from the office and may not always be available to support. If urgent help is needed, please call 999.

The defibrillator is located on the wall next to the main entrance doors of the Visitor Centre, behind the cafe. The What3Words location is ///costly.limitless.encounter. There is no code required to access the cabinet.

Café

The café is located approximately 20 metres from the accessible parking spaces in the lower car park. The café is a counter service facility with an indoor and outdoor seating. The indoor seating is in the Visitor Centre and accessed through a door that is 1 metre wide.

The café is open from 9am to 4pm (weather dependant) and closed on Christmas Day.

Fishing

Fishing at Sywell Country Park is by season permit only. Due to the natural bankside vegetation, access to the water requires anglers to cross uneven terrain, including grass, mud and slopes. There are no artificial platforms from which to fish.

We recommend anglers using a trolley to transport kit to the desired fishing point obtain a RADAR key to pass through the gates around the park. Please close and lock the gates after use to help us keep visitors safe.

Find out more about fishing at our parks.

Play area

There are four play areas at Sywell Country Park. The Filter Bed play area is located near the lower car park. The surface is sand and accessed by a slope that is 1.3m wide. 

The Brock Wood play area is located closer to the upper car park. Approximately 100m from the accessible parking. This area is a combination of compacted stone and natural woodland surface.

The waterworks play area is 30 meters away from the accessible parking in the lower car park and has a bound stone surface.

There is a small indoor soft play area for toddlers located in the Pump House Visitor Centre behind the café.

Dogs

Well-behaved dogs are welcome at our parks. Dogs must be kept on a short lead through Hayes Wood Wildlife Refuge. Please ensure you follow all signage where it is requested that dogs be kept on leads. Dogs are not allowed in any of our play areas.

Livestock and electric fencing

Occasionally there are cows and pigs on site at Sywell Country Park. We often use an electric fence to ensure the safe segregation of animals and people. Please ensure you follow all signage in areas where an electric fence is in use.

Education facilities

Our education team deliver a wide range of learning and wellbeing activities. At Sywell Country Park as well as using public access spaces we also have a private Wild Zone consisting of a shelter and natural woodland.

For more information about our education activities please email [email protected].

Volunteer opportunity 

All of our parks have volunteering opportunities. Please contact [email protected] to discuss any specific access requirements.

Contact details

Sywell Country Park
Washbrook Lane
Ecton
Northampton
NN6 0QX

0300 126 5935

[email protected]

Ranger teams are often working away from the office. They will reply as soon as they are able to.

Park development

We are constantly developing our parks to make improvements for both the environment and our visitors. As changes are made we consider access requirements to ensure as many people as possible can enjoy nature.

This guide aims to accurately describe the facilities and services that we offer to our visitors. If there is any information missing that would be useful in accessing our parks please email [email protected].

Find out more about Sywell Country Park.