Pensthorpe

Pensthorpe is the ultimate destination for discovery and a fun-filled family day out. You can explore magical gardens, take a trail through the internationally recognised reserve, get up close with feathered friends, enjoy huge indoor play and one of the region’s biggest and best outdoor adventure areas!

Pensthorpe is situated 2 miles from Fakenham just off the A1067 road, a 20 minute drive from Wells. It was home to BBC’s Springwatch programme from 2008-2010, and won the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year at the East of England Tourism Awards 2021-2022.

From family-friendly bird hides and unique habitats to enchanting wildflowers, unique experiences, and off-road adventures, the nature reserve has it all. Explore wetlands & hedgerows, woodland & riverbanks, and farmland & water meadows using easy-to-follow trails.

Bird hides

Pick up a pair of binoculars and settle into the seven bird hides across the nature reserve. With seasonal migrants and a growing number of resident birds, there’s plenty to see.

Wader Scrape

The shingle and sand island paradise is the perfect place to spot breeding waders, wintering waterfowl, and birds of prey from two hides. The Wader Scrape was a popular filming location for BBC Springwatch.

Wader Aviary

Designed around the stone walls of a former bullock pen, the mixed aviary is the ideal way to observe waders feeding, resting and nesting as they would in the wild.

Wildflower Meadow

As you wander along the boardwalk surrounded by over 80 grass and flowers species, keep your eyes peeled for dragonflies, butterflies and demoiselle damselflies.

Wetland Discovery Area

A great introduction to watery habitats. Marvel at majestic cranes, take part in child-friendly pond-dipping and find the flock of resident flamingos in their tropical lagoon.

Pensthorpe Explorer

Climb aboard and get ready to go off-road. Explore hidden corners of the estate inaccessible on foot while you learn about conservation projects and farming practices.

Millennium Garden

The garden is packed with over 150 species of perennials, shrubs, grasses and climbers. You’ll see brightly coloured butterflies and insects in spring and summer, and even after its mid-August peak, rich autumnal colours and frosty seed heads make this garden a must-see throughout the year. The garden is the botanical brainchild of Dutch designer Piet Oudolf.

Wildlife Habitat Garden

Situated right by the water, it’s where manicured planting meet natural wilderness. The wide variety of plants and flowers on offer include red hot pokers and foxtail lilies. They help attract a whole host of critters to the garden. You might spot dragonflies or damselflies, colourful beetles, curious frogs and reptiles, and even bats.

Corten Infinity Garden

This garden features an impressive piece of curved weathering steel, known as corten. It’s characteristic rust colour serves as the perfect backdrop for the collection of plants thriving alongside it. Plant-wise, there’s lots to see, from banana and ginger plants to dahlias, tulips and alliums.

The Glade Sculpture Garden

Pensthorpe’s newest garden is focussed on sculpture with a number of iconic pieces positioned around the garden, including the fantastical fairy Alula and her three stunning dandelions overlooking the garden pond. Alula is a FantasyWire sculpture designed by Robin Wight. The garden is complemented by a beautiful waterfalled area.

Wave Garden

Designed by Chelsea Flower Show gold medallist Julie Toll, the Wave Garden is where you can come to get away from it all. Set under a canopy of native oak & birch trees, this shady woodland spot is framed by rolling yew hedging and packed with simple planting. The original garden has been extended to include a lakeside area with views across the water. Green and gorgeous all year long, it’s the place to be at one with nature.

WildRootz

Welcome to where wild things play! Little nature lovers can blow off steam on the impressive outdoor play area. Scale towers, swing from zip lines, zoom down slides and traverse underground tunnels, and then cool off in the WildRootz stream.

Set across nearly two acres, WildRootz is the ultimate adventure playground. With 30 experiences to explore, including hills, tunnels, burrows, and slides, little kids can run wild to their hearts’ content.

Hootz House

Indoor adventure play doesn’t get better than this. With rope bridges, snaking slides and tree-top towers to explore, your little ones can have a blast and challenge themselves while learning all about the wildlife at Pensthorpe, come rain or shine.

To ensure you get the most fun in Hootz House Pensthorpe offer pre-bookable time-slots. This is to ensure the facilities are never too crowded as numbers are limited per session.

Sculpture Trail

Pick up a park guide to tick off all the amazing artworks on the sculpture trail. With many nature-inspired sculptures to spot, they’re a wonderful way to engage young minds, and explore the gardens and nature reserve as a family.

The Courtyard Café makes the perfect pitstop during your day out at Pensthorpe. The café is open to the public – no park ticket required.

Serves freshly cooked breakfasts, and soups, sandwiches and homemade specials at lunchtime. Tuck into an afternoon tea in the courtyard.

There’s plenty of indoor and outdoor seating available. Dogs are welcome in the courtyard and inside the café function room. Assistance dogs only inside the main café.

The Pensthorpe Gift Shop is the perfect place to pick up unique gifts. You don’t need a park ticket to enter the shop.

From handcrafted jewellery, homewares and bird feeders to handpicked wildlife books, wellies and children’s toys, the shop is a treasure trove of delights, whether you’re treating yourself or buying a gift.