Potteric Carr
Potteric Carr is a 200 hectare nature reserve located on the outskirts of Doncaster. It is the largest Trust reserve and the largest inland wetland in the UK outside of London. The main habitats include open water, reedbed, woodland, marsh, and small meadows, all of which create a rich diversity of wildlife.
There is a fantastic on-site café (Low Ellers Junction) which serves up superb ‘home-cooked’ food and offers a warm and friendly welcome.
The reserve is a flurry of wildlife all year round. In spring there are migrating birds arriving in large numbers and in summer you can discover the excellent populations of dragonflies, butterflies, and flower assemblages. Autumn brings in the wintering birds and a wide ranging colourful display of fungi. Into the winter months the reserve plays host to large numbers of birds and is an excellent spot to see bitterns, water rails and kingfishers.
‘Did you know?’ items:
- Potteric Carr’s nature trails are nearly all on the routes of old railway lines.
- The wetlands were recreated in the 1960’s by mining subsidence.
- It is one of the busiest nature reserves in the country, with over 21,000 people visiting on foot and over a million passing through by rail.
Why should I visit?
Areas of woodland surround fantastic marshes, reedbeds, and stretches of open water, providing habitats teeming with a world so rich in wildlife that you will be constantly amazed at what you see. From birds to butterflies and from dragonflies to fungi Potteric Carr has it all! The majority of the reserve, including most of the hides, is accessible to all. Events are held throughout the year with something for everyone from teddy bears picnics to lectures from renowned experts!
What’s there? – wildlife:
Over 200 bird species visit the reserve each year, half of which breed there. Breeding species include warblers, woodpeckers (all three breed on site), kingfisher, little ring plovers, grebes and water rail. Wintering birds include bitterns, waders and wildfowl. Over 20 species of dragonfly breed at Potteric Carr, and 28 species of butterfly have been recorded on site. Mammals range from rabbits and grey squirrels to roe deer and water voles.
What’s there – facilities:
- 7 miles of footpaths mostly graded for easy pushchairs and wheelchair access.
- There are 15 hides, equally as accessible as the footpaths.
- Low Ellers Junction café offers superb food made on the premises by the team of staff and volunteers. This café is handily placed in the centre of the reserve to provide a welcome break during your visit.
- There is a shop at the entrance offering a wide range of items priced from 50p upwards.
- There are toilets at the entrance and at Low Ellers Junction café in the centre of the reserve.
- There are events for all the family throughout the year. Potteric Carr WATCH Group meets every month giving children aged 8 – 13 further insight into the reserve and what it offers people and wildlife alike. There is a Youth Ranger Group which also meets once a month; this is aimed at people aged 16 to 25. We also offer a full education service to schools and colleges.
How to get there:
Potteric Carr Nature Reserve is located half a mile from Junction 3 of the M18, just south of Doncaster. Access into the reserve is via Sedum House, the head office of the BTCV see map.
- The car park is located within the Sedum House grounds.
Access and conditions:
The vast majority of the reserve has excellent access available for all. One footpath crosses a railway line and has steps. The footpaths are all well surfaced and are suitable all year round – you do not need special footwear at Potteric Carr.
