Paxton Pits: Heron and Meadow Trails by the Great Ouse

Start at the free Paxton Pits Nature Reserve car park off High Street in Little Paxton. This walk combines the full northern Heron Trail with the southern Meadow Trail, meeting again at the Visitor Centre between the two loops. Follow the marked Heron route north-east through the scrub and past the lake viewpoints, including the short hide approach. Continue along the Great Ouse side of the reserve, then turn west at the northern trail junction and return south along the Haul Road beside the heronry lakes. Keep to the signed walking route and do not continue into the quarry.

Back near the Visitor Centre, cross the reserve access road at the marked pedestrian crossing and follow the Meadow Trail south through Visitor Centre Meadow. The path winds past Rudd and Cloudy Lakes and crosses the boardwalk into Lower Meadow. Continue around Hayling Lake, then follow the Great Ouse bank east and north before taking the marked westward return to the Visitor Centre and car park. There is no crossing of the main river.

Allow about 2 hours 30 minutes for this roughly 6.2km wildlife walk, including brief pauses at hides and viewpoints. The ground is mostly level, with a mixture of surfaced tracks, grass, woodland paths and boardwalk. Mud and slippery timber are possible after rain, and waterside sections can flood. Paths pass close to deep water in places; supervise children and stay out of the lakes and river. The combined walk includes gates and uneven unsurfaced sections. Council access information identifies wheelchair access on the Heron and Meadow Trails via Radar gates with a Radar key, while other reserve paths have barriers or steps. Accessibility of every section of this mapped circuit has not been verified; ask a ranger about a suitable route and current ground conditions.

The reserve is open all day, every day, and parking is free. The Visitor Centre usually opens 10am to 4pm February to November and to 3pm December to January, subject to volunteer availability. Toilets normally open 10am to 4pm. Drinks and snacks are available when the centre is staffed. Keep dogs on leads or under close control, use leads around grazing cattle and breeding birds, and keep them out of the water because algae may be harmful.

Route and access information checked against Huntingdonshire District Council trail information and the Friends of Paxton Pits current visitor pages and South Reserve map. Follow current on-site signs and any ranger instructions.