Natural World Centre at Whisby Nature Park
For a number of yearsyears this was the official webstie for the Natural World Centre at Whisby Nature Park.
Content is from the site's archived pages.
The current website for the Natural World Centre at Whisby Nature Park is found at: http://www.naturalworldcentre.co.uk/ where you will find the most up to date information.
Whisby Nature Park was opened in 1989. There are two full-time wardens who undertake habitat management and amenity maintenance and development on behalf of visitors. The Nature Park comprises of a complex of small, medium and large flooded gravel pits. Some former pits in the area have been used as sediment lagoons and now form wet willow scrub or clay grasslands where the appropriate management has been undertaken. There is only one major stream, an agricultural drain of some local importance, the Pike Drain. Highlights: A total of twenty eight species of butterfly have been recorded on the Nature Park over recent years, of which twenty two occur annually. A huge diversity of birds can be seen here, including Summer migrants like the Nightingales that breed at Whisby, this being regarded as the most Northerly part of their range. Guided walks are available with the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and there are interactive exhibitions and many educational activities for children. Visitors can enjoy a great day out in the Reserve, which includes a large gift shop and excellent Cafe.
Enter the Natural World to discover ..
- A beautiful Nature Park with lakes, woodland, ponds, grasslands, heath and a wealth of wildlife.
- The fantastic Natural World visitor centre situated on a lake edge
- Our Changing World where nature and technology collide in a stunning display of interactive fun
- An Education Centre offering curriculum-linked courses
- Year round events for all the family
Visit Us and Enjoy
A Glorious Day Out
packed with
Acres of Local Nature Reserve- 6 Miles of Walks
Guided Walks with Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust
Interactive Exhibitions - Holiday Activities for Children
Birthday Parties
Improved Giftshop
Fair Trade Gifts - Traditional Wooden Toys
Environmentally Friendly Presents- Country Goods
Boardwalk Cafe
Tastes of Lincolnshire - Beautiful Views
Drinks, Snacks and Lunches - Sunday Roast Every Week
Celebrations, Weddings and Business Lunches
A Friendly Welcome For All!
Reasons to Visit
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Opened by HRH Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh on 26th March 2001 The Natural World Centre is a state of the art visitor centre in the heart of Whisby Nature Park, a local nature reserve with six miles of walks around five lakes.
Inside The Natural World Centre visitors are welcomed by our team who are keen to make the visit a memorable one. The Centre is on two levels, a ground floor and lower ground floor and has been designed to ensure access for all.
On the ground floor to the right of the entrance is an extensive giftshop which stocks not only mementos of the visit but also many fair trade and environmentally friendly gifts. For example, our popular round pillow dog beds are made from colorful recycled fabrics and are considered a luxurious perk for man's best friend. They are the most practical eco-friendly beds - washable and come in sizes to match your dog. The centre's mascot, Georgie, is photographed on the large round bed and that photo is prominently displayed in the entranceway. Walking through the giftshop enables the visitor to talk to our team about all aspects of their visit at reception and go on to one of two exhibition spaces. On the ground floor exhibitions change on a regular basis in an area overlooking both the 'Boardwalk' balcony and Thorpe Lake, and through a curved introduction area visitors can descend to the lower ground floor exhibition 'Our Changing World'
To the left of the entrance visitors can enjoy the fayre offered in the Boardwalk Cafe , the Cafe provides visitors with a chance to buy fairtrade drinks and homemade cakes or partake of a delicious breakfast or lunch.
Through doors at the rear of the building visitors emerge onto the Boardwalk balcony with stunning views over Thorpe Lake. From this balcony it has been possible in previous years to watch swans and their cygnets in close proximity, or to watch stunning sunsets at all times of the year.
Eco- Information
Why is this happening?
Born from customer interaction over the past six years with the NWC Team, Leisure Connection, North Kesteven District Council and the NK Local Strategic Partnership recognised this need in the community.
How will it happen?
1. Leaflets will be available for pick up from a wide number of eco providers.
2. Our website www.naturalworldcentre.com can be used to obtain links to a variety of information or to find out answers to the simpler questions. You can also email in any questions the website is unable to answer to the NKDC Sustainability Project Officer.
3. Exhibitions will provide information on a variety of different issues throughout the year, in conjunction with SustainNK
4. Sign up to become a free member of the Eco-Friends database and receive all the information first hand.
5. Advice and assistance with larger projects in North Kesteven can be provided by the NKDC Sustainability Project Officer
6. Development in helping Schools become Eco-Schools or businesses become more sustainable is also available, through a free consultation service.
NEWS
This section of the website contains news articles and press releases from the Natural World Centre and related topics.
NEWS! NEWS! NEWS!
July 2008
Sunset Dining - AUGUST
This August we introduce Sunset Dining to our programme. On Saturdays in August different artistes will provide beautiful music whilst you dine on a wonderful three course meal.
2nd August - Masiya sings classic ballads such as 'In the air tonight' in stunning surroundings.
9th August- Heyes Ensemble, Lincolns leading flute quartet perform classics and unusual music
16th August- Double Take, a guitar jazz duo perform all kinds of jazz from Bossa Nova to Miles Davies.
Tickets are 35 and available now, so enjoy the tranquility that is the Natural World Centre at night.
To book your ticket, call the Natural World Centre on 01522 688868.
June 2008
Wine Tasting Evening 20th June
To mark the end of the Locavore exhibition which has been hosted by the Natural World Centre since February, an evening of wine tasting has been organised. British wines are the speciality at this enjoyable evening and if something really tickles your fancy you can purchase an entire bottle! Tickets only 10 per person to include wine tasting and locally produced nibbles and canapes.
To book your ticket, call the Natural World Centre on 01522 688868.
Natural World Centre Functions
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Book Your upcoming Party or Function at the
Natural World Centre!!
We provide plenty of action for every visitor whether it is in the Upper Gallery, Our Changing World Exhibition, Gift Shop, Whisby Nature Park or the Boardwalk Cafe and its stunning views over Thorpe Lake!
The Boardwalk Cafe Functions
Why not book your function in the scenic Boardwalk Cafe for all your celebratory needs. The team can cater for Weddings, Adults Birthdays, Childrens Birthdays, Business Meetings or Special Events, the choice is yours.
Is The Tastes Of Lincolnshire Buffet for you.
By Car or Coach
SATNAV: Use the postcode LN6 9BW
The Natural World Centre and Whisby Nature Park are five miles west of Lincoln City at Thorpe on the Hill, near Whisby. Remember to look out for our Brown AA Signs on local roads signposting you to Whisby Nature Park.
From the A1 take the A46 towards Lincoln and follow the brown signs from the A46 to Whisby Nature Park.
From the A15 take the A46 bypass around Lincoln and follow the brown signs
From the A57 take the A46 Lincoln bypass and follow the brown signs to Whisby Nature Park.
Parking is free for coaches and cars, and we have ten spaces for Disabled Badge holders directly outside the visitor centre, please call 01522 68 88 68 or contact us via email for more information.
By Public Transport
The nearest station to the Nature Park is North Hykeham, but this station is rural and not well-served by public transport or a safe walking route, at the moment. There are plans to put in a safe footpath and cycle route from Hykeham station to the Nature Park in the next couple of years, which will take people under the A46 bypass.
For cyclists the best station to disembark is Swinderby although 5 miles away from the Nature Park, the route along quiet country lanes is very pleasant. Central Trains run daily services from Newark Northgate to both Swinderby and Hykeham (National Train Enquiries ).
Arriva Northern and Central Trains also run daily services to Lincoln from the Doncaster, Gainsborough, and Grimsby. For visitors disembarking at Lincoln station, there is a taxi rank outside and the bus station is situated directly across the road (follow the finger point signs).
From Monday Saturday, there is a two-hourly bus service (number 65) running from Lincoln bus station to Thorpe on the Hill village, which stops at Foss Lane. On leaving the bus, you will need to pass both Thorpe Church and Methodist Chapel along Foss Lane until you reach Middle Lane. At this junction, you need to turn right, then an immediate left onto Little Thorpe Lane. Passing the school exit you will come to a T-junction with Moor Lane the pedestrian entrance to the Nature Park is directly opposite. The walk from the bus stop takes about 10 minutes.
On Saturdays, there are three buses stopping directly outside the Nature Park entrance on Moor Lane you will need to ask the driver to stop here.
By Bicycle or Walking
The location is rural, so walking and cycling access is quite difficult from Lincoln and the surrounding villages. The main problem for pedestrians and cyclists is crossing the busy, trunk road (A46), which passes the Nature Park at the junction with Moor Lane. However, quiet road routes exist from Whisby, Doddington and Swinderby for cyclists, although none of these road have footways. We have racks for up to 20 bikes and there are plans to link to the Nature Park with quiet road cycle routes from Lincoln city and North Hykeham.
Cycling is not permitted along the way marked footpaths please leave only footprints in the Nature Park and your bike in the racks for the duration of your visit!
You may wish to combine your visit to the Natural World Centre with a trip to City of Lincoln, famous for its Norman Cathedral, Medieval Castle and excellent shopping. For more information please visit the Lincoln City Council Tourism website .
NaturalWorldCentre.com