Visiting National Nature Reserves

Visitor facilities

Visitor and interpretation facilities

The table below shows the number of sites with various visitor facilities, which are actually on the NNR or directly adjacent. They may be maintained and run by CCW, other managing bodies or third parties.

Facility	No of NNRs	% of NNRs	Comment
Paths and routes for visitors	49	83%	Whilst some paths are surfaced, wide, well maintained and easy to use, many paths have a natural surface and may be steep, uneven or wet due to the nature of the terrain.
Car park on site	30	51%	Where there is no on-site parking, nearby parking is usually available in roadside lay-bys or in village car parks.
Toilets	21	36%	May be closed outside peak periods.
Welcome signs/ interpretation boards	44	75%	Bilingual signs and boards, usually providing map and information on special features of the site and permitted activities. May only be present at main entrances.
Leaflet	38	64%	Bilingual publication including map and information. Available from CCW or other managing organisation.
Visitor centre	8	13%	Usually with bilingual displays and exhibits. Larger centres may staffed, while smaller centres are usually unstaffed. May be closed outside peak periods.
Picnic benches/site	8	13%
Shop or cafe	6	10%
Sculptures or artworks	6	10%

^{No information was available for 10 sites and these
were excluded from the
analysis.}^{In the many
cases, if facilities are not provided on site, other facilities
exist in nearby towns and villages or elsewhere within 5 km of the
site.}

Sculptured bridge at Dyfi NNR,
Gwynedd/Ceredigion. © CCW

The level of facilities relates very much to the number of visitors a site receives. It would be unnecessary and inappropriate to provide facilities such as car parks and toilets on small, remote sites with a limited number of visitors who would not expect such services. Whereas large popular sites, especially
those near cities, or with major attractions such as beaches, tend to have a wider range of facilities.

Facilities at Cors Caron NNR.

Facilities for disabled visitors

Boardwalk at Cors Erddreiniog
NNR, Anglesey. © CCW

In 2006 CCW adopted a policy and code of practice on improving public access for disabled people to CCW-managed NNRs. CCW aims to fulfil its obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and to promote equality of opportunity for all users, seeking to ensure that no one receives less favourable treatment on the grounds
of disability.

Wherever appropriate and feasible, facilities for the disabled are, and will be provided, taking account of local habitats, landscape and terrain.

Facility	No of NNRs	% of NNRs	Length	Comment
Access statement	58	84%	N/a	Information sheet describing facilities available and paths, gates, steps etc in detail.
Fully accessible routes	18	30%	Over 8km	Easy walking for all. Suitable for wheelchair users, buggies, and those with limited mobility. Usually extends over only a limited part of reserve.
Parking for disabled visitors	11	19%	N/a	Reserved spaces or fee reduction.
Accessible toilets	14	24%	N/a	Accessible to modern standards. May require RADAR key.
Accessible by public transport	35	59%	N/a	Bus route or train station adjacent to or within approx 1-2km of NNR.

^{No information was available for 10 sites and these
were excluded from the analysis, except for the access statement
statistic.}^{Length statistics are only
available for 10 NNRs so the true total will be significantly
more.}