Family of four walking in a sunny field with hay bales, holding hands, with one child riding on the father's shoulders.

The Farm Trail and Bird Hide

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Two children running and smiling in a tall grassy field with trees and hills in the background.

The Farm Trail

Enjoy a peaceful walk along the Farm Trail, this gentle 2 mile route winds through beautiful countryside and farmland, and usually takes between 1.5 and 2.5 hours to complete, just right for a morning or afternoon adventure with a picnic.

Keep your eyes open for all sorts of wildlife along the way! Birds, Butterflies, lambs, and maybe even a deer or two may make an appearance.

There are lots of great spots to pause for a picnic especially on a sunny day, perfect for relaxing and taking in the views.

A golden field of crops with a wooden fence in the foreground, trees and rolling hills in the background, and warm sunlight illuminating the landscape.

The path takes you over different types of ground depending on the season, from grassy meadows to muddy tracks, and even through a tall maize in late summer. Please note, there are some stiles and gates along the way, so the trail isn’t suitable for pushchairs.

You can pick up a map from Reception before you set off, and remember to follow the Countryside Code, keep dogs on leads and be respectful of nature and others enjoying the trail.

Happy exploring!

People looking out from the windows of a wooden bird hide or wildlife observation hut elevated above tall grass, surrounded by greenery.

The Bird Hide

Tucked away in a quiet corner of the sanctuary, our bird hide is the perfect place to enjoy a bit of birdwatching. Purpose built by Shaun in 2013, its designed so guests can quietly observe our feathered visitors without disturbing them.

Made from natural wood and fully accessible via a ramp, the hide has six windows you can open, including two lower ones just right for little ones and wheelchair users. It looks out over beautiful wetlands and marshes at the edge of the extended Walmsley Bird Sanctuary.

View through the wooden windows of a bird watching hide, looking out onto a pond with a swan swimming and grassy banks.

This special spot is part of a 20-hectare reclaimed flood plain between Lower Amble and the River Amble, just inland from the Camel Estuary. Thanks to Cornwall’s mild climate, the area is a real haven for birds, everything from waders and wildfowl to majestic raptors.

Throughout the year, you can see 40 different bird species here. In winter, we were lucky to welcome some rare visitors like the American Bittern and the Glossy Ibis, who usually prefer much warmer climates and just recently we spotted a Night heron.

The wetlands are especially important in the winter months, providing a safe resting place for birds when tides are high. And with such a variety of birds flying through from lapwings and egrets to barn owls and reed warblers. You never know what you might spot.