Winpenny hide will be closed to the public from Friday 14th to Monday 17th September while essential improvements works are carried out.
We are always looking for ways to improve the accessibility of our nature reserve, so that more people are able to enjoy its wonderful wildlife. Winpenny is the first of our hides to undergo alterations that will allow wheelchair users to gain access and get closer to nature. Earlier in the year, two of our ‘handyman’ volunteers widened the entry to the hide by adding in an extra door panel and removing a couple of benches immediately in front of the entrance. This gives plenty of space for those visitors in wheelchairs and electric buggies to enter the hide and be able to turn around without getting stuck. Crucially, this includes users of our all-terrain trampers (available from the visitor centre at no charge, although donations are very welcome) who, up until now, were able to get around the whole of the nature trail but were unable to enter a hide without leaving the tramper outside.
New widened door to Winpenny
After this work was completed, it was recognised that physical access to the hide was still an issue due to the surface of the path outside and the lip at the doorway. To rectify this, a contractor will be on site from Friday 14th to Monday 17th September to lay a concrete ramp and this will take a little time to set completely, so the hide will remain closed until Tuesday 18th September. We hope you’ll agree that this is an excellent step forward in making Pulborough Brooks more accessible, and we’re delighted that even more birdwatchers will be able to enjoy this exciting time of year, as the wetlands begin to fill with our winter visitors.
View of the South Brooks from Winpenny hide
For more information about accessiblity at Pulborough Brooks, please visit this link: https://www.rspb.org.uk/globalassets/downloads/documents/reserves/pulborough-brooks-access-statement.pdf
During the planned closures, the nature trail and all other hides will remain open as usual.