Attenborough Nature Reserve — Attraction in Broxtowe

Attenborough Nature Reserve itself is stunning I would happily give 5 stars under normal circumstances. Unfortunately, the experience has been completely ruined by the parking system they’ve chosen to use.

I received a £60 fine from "Park With Ease" for spending a total of 41 minutes in the car park, though it clearly states parking is free for 30 minutes.

After our walk, we went to the payment machine, entered our registration number, and were told: "You have nothing to pay." We trusted that message and left. What we didn’t know is that they count every minute from the moment you enter to the moment you exit... including the time it takes to walk back to your car and drive out.

This is not explained anywhere on the signage, and the machine explicitly told us no payment was required. It’s misleading and feels like a trap.

I submitted a detailed appeal, but it was rejected with what appeared to be a generic response that ignored every point I made, almost as if there was nobody reading it.

I followed the instructions at Attenborough Nature Reserve exactly, and I’m being fined anyway. This is the kind of system punishes people for following the rules.

I can't recommend it here unless the reserve reconsiders its partnership with...

First time visiting this place and as it was the last day of the holiday we thought we would give it a go.

Parking is £3 donation which is not quite right you need to pay to park. Parking can be cramped as some visitors are unable to park in one bay meaning not everyone can be parked

On our visit Sunday 13/9 it was a lovely day and I needed the loo, the only toilets available were for customers of the shop and cafe (disabled toilet) as the others were being refurbished.

So we had to purchase a drink and cake to use the toilet I have to say the one way system was non existence and the lack of markings made it confusing - No track & Trace used

Only the main door to building open which meant everyone used the same door some on mask some not

You could buy duck food 50p a bag which was ideal as loads of swans and ducks by the bridge

We followed the blue trial around the reserve we was nice the only one thing I would suggest cycles need to give way more to pedestrians or they have they own cycle path as in some cases they believed they had priority over the footpath

Good place to walk dogs and areas to put poo bags in bins

Good places to sit along the Trent...

My husband and I had lunch at the cafe today, which included a pot of tea. When the tea became cool and too strong, I asked for some hot water to be added to the pot. I was informed that adding hot water would incur an additional charge of £1. Occasionally I will ask for a teapot to just be refreshed with a little hot water, but this is the first time it has incurred a charge. After spending £22+ (including £6 for the pot of tea) I refused the hot water. I assumed that The Wildlife Trust, which runs and manages the cafe, levy this charge in all their cafes. However, after contacting three other cafes (Staffordshire WT, Norfolk WT and Suffolk WT) I discovered that none of these charge for hot water under the same circumstances. This was one of those occasions where, as a customer, the word "fleeced" came to mind. I'm happy to support various charities and indeed do, but this practice leaves a sour taste. Incidentally, I didn't need to scroll far on the reviews list to find another customer making the same point. Here's a tip if you're not happy being mugged...take your own cup and teabag and pay £1 for a jug of hot water -...