At any time of the year it is a beautiful
place to visit. There are many different areas within the
reserve: ponds of varying sizes and depths, scrub, marsh, tussocky
grassland, and many types of willow, all providing excellent
habitats. Vegetation which is cleared and logs from coppiced
trees are left in piles in different areas of the reserve providing
the perfect environment for the varied wildlife, including grass
snakes. There is a path that winds through the site and where
the ground becomes marshy the path is replaced by
boardwalks. The Boardwalks is rich in wildlife, easily and
freely accessible and close to the City Centre.
Access
By road take the Thorpe Meadows exit from the roundabout at the
junction of Thorpe Road and the Longthorpe Parkway. Park in
the public car park next to the Ramada Hotel. Walk past the
Boathouse, over the small hump-backed bridge and follow the
hawthorn lined footpath to reach the reserve.
On foot or cycle follow the footpath along the north bank
of the river from Orton Staunch or the footpath / cycle path from
the City Centre via Rivergate.