FAQs

No, you don’t!

However, we recommend pre-booking a Hootz House timeslot if you’re visiting during the school holidays or weekends.

Sadly dogs cannot enter the cafe, reserve, gardens or adventure play areas unless they are assistance dogs. This is because as a nature reserve we need to consider the welfare and wellbeing of the various bird and wildlife species that call Pensthorpe home.

Dogs on leads are more than welcome in our shop, so please don’t leave dogs in cars, especially on hot days.

We have designated paths for wheelchairs and pushchairs that you can see on our park map, some of our routes are also assisted accessible. We also have wheelchairs available to use and electric scooters available to hire for just £10 a day.

We have three electric scooters available for hire at £10 per day. You can book your electric scooter hire online when you book your tickets. We also have four push along wheelchairs that can be hired for free. These can be reserved in advance and are available on a first come first served basis, just ask a member of staff about this when you arrive and they’ll be happy to help you.

Carers go free at Pensthorpe when they are accompanying a full paying person who is physically or mentally impaired. Just bring along proof of your carer status.

What is a carer?

A carer is over 18 and provides essential help and support to someone who is in receipt of DLA (Disability Living Allowance) or PIP (Personal Independence Payment). The term carer shouldn’t be confused with a foster carer.

Pensthorpe treats all requests for charitable support with the utmost importance. However, given the huge and ever-increasing amount of correspondence and requests we receive on a daily basis, it is simply not possible to fulfil every request & cannot always guarantee a donation. A member of our team will endeavour to get back to all requests – for any requests please send an email to info@pensthorpe.com with all charity and event details.

Please note – we try to support locally where possible, therefore we are only able to donate to a 15 mile radius for school and group requests.

Yes, we are currently trialling a new rainy day guarantee initiative.

At Pensthorpe, we know time is precious and we want to ensure you have a great time come rain or shine, that’s why we are trialling a new rainy-day guarantee initiative, whereby if your visit is disrupted by more than an hour of consecutive rain, we will issue you with a ticket for a free return visit.*

*Return visit ticket valid for four weeks from date of issue, to collect your free return ticket, speak to a member of the admissions team on your way out.

Qualifying Rainy Day Guarantee Tickets:
1.Adult/child/senior day pass
2.Complimentary tickets

Not included:
Group bookings
School bookings
Gardeners world 2 for 1 day pass

We have five accessible toilets on site, all labelled on our map with clear signage. All have an optional raised toilet seat, moveable hand rails as well as an alarm system.

We also have baby changing facilities in the main toilet block, the cafe and play areas.

Yes, we have plenty of outside picnic benches dotted around the site for you to have your lunch. If you don’t have time to get your picnic sorted our Courtyard Café offers a good selection of takeaway options for you to choose from.

To protect the birds that call Pensthorpe home, we have removed all bird feed from public sale and closed our wader aviary due to the ongoing Avian Influenza situation.

Thank you for understanding

No, as a privately owned nature reserve we are unable to offer discounts to members of other organisations.

Dress for the weather! We are predominantly an outside facility so we recommend sturdy and comfortable footwear… and a pair of wellies during the winter months!

We do not offer discount on individual visits, however we do offer an annual membership. Our membership scheme is outstanding value for money and offers you entry into the reserve across all seasons, for 12 months from date of purchase. By your 4th visit in the year you will have already paid for the membership!

Head to our School Visit or Groups Visit page for more information.

No, we have a large number of ground nesting birds in the park so we do not allow bikes onto the reserve. Cyclists are more than welcome to stop off in our cafe, shop, or to use our facilities.

Yes please, we like to know everyone who is coming so we can make sure we have enough fresh kids meals in our cafe and space in Hootz House.

Yes you can, but do choose the arrival time closest to when you’re aiming to arrive.

Last paid admission to the park is at 3pm, but this is only as we want you to make the most out of your day with us. If you’re a member you are more than welcome to stop by a little later.

Yes please, this is purely so we can email you with important information about your tickets if we need to and it makes the booking process quicker for future visits with us. If you would rather not book online, give our team a call and we can book your tickets over the phone or just turn up on the day (although please note during our busiest times there is no guarantee of entry to the park or Hootz House).

Select “Pre-paid Admissions Voucher” on the booking portal and remember to bring along your pass/ticket on the day to get free entry.

Unfortunately we are not able to offer Blue Light discount at this time, sorry for any inconvenience.

Corncrakes have been taken off show in the Wader Aviary for their own safety due to ongoing maintenance in the vicinity. Redshank, ruff and avocets are safely in the Wader Aviary on show.