Rutland Water Nature Reserve

393 acres of wild habitat
25,000 wildfowl in the winter
19 years of breeding ospreys
31 bird hides to explore

Rutland Water Nature Reserve has been regularly voted as the UK's best nature reserve. This vast wetland is one of the best places to watch birds in the UK. Search for rare spring migrants, admire fishing ospreys in the summer, enjoy the autumn wader passage and marvel at huge flocks of winter wildfowl. With events year round, walking trails and two visitor centres, you'll be sure of an immersive wildlife experience for the whole family.

Ospreys

WildNet - James Rogerson

Rutland Osprey Project

Rutland Water is home to the Rutland Osprey Project. You can watch them at their nest site on Lyndon Nature Reserve, soaring majestically over the lagoons or diving to catch fish on an exclusive Osprey Cruise. Find out how this once endangered bird of prey has found a home in Rutland Water and see them yourself. Find out more here. 

Visit the Rutland Ospreys

Visiting Rutland Water

Rutland Water is one of the best places to enjoy birds and wildlife in the UK. Plan your visit, find out what's around, download maps and learn about the amazing wildlife that lives here. There are two visitor centres where you can get close to nature - the Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre and the Lyndon Visitor Centre. We can't wait to meet you!

Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre

Discover incredible wetlands

Plan your visit

View of Rutland Water nature reserve in early summer - David Tipling/2020VISION

Lyndon Visitor Centre

Home of the Rutland Osprey Project

Plan your visit

WildNet - Derek Moore

Multum in Parvo - 'much in little'

Rutland may be the smallest county in England, yet it boasts one of the best nature reserves in the entire country. But for such a diverse, beautiful and exciting wild place, Rutland Water is relatively young. Find out about the wildlife you can see at this incredible site, how we're working with Anglian Water to conserve, and how a few fields in Rutland was transformed into this amazing place - for people and wildlife.

Find out more

What's coming up at Rutland Water?

TWT Books

Wildlife Book Club

Volunteer Training Centre - Rutland Water, Meadow Way, Egleton, Oakham, LE15 8BP
More info

Rutland Water Events Calendar

See our full events calendar for Rutland Water Nature Reserves, including osprey cruises, badger watchers, talks, walks, courses and more!

What's on?

Smew (c) Gillian Day

Gillian Day

What's about?

Sightings

Find out what's been seen at Rutland Water Nature Reserve

What's about?

Seasonal guides to Rutland Water

Find out what you might see on your visit and make the most of this fabulous nature reserve all year round

Spring

Birdsong, bluebells and spring migrants

All children deserve a wild childhood 

Summer

Ospreys, nightingales and Birdfair

Autumn

Waders, rare birds and fiery trees

Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) wading through shallow water at sunset, Brownsea Island, Dorset, winter. - Bertie Gregory/2020VISION

Winter

Thousands of ducks, elegant swans and winter thrushes

Teal (Anas crecca) in the early morning sun, Dorset, UK - Luke Massey/2020VISION
Membership

Become a member for exclusive discounts to Rutland Water Nature Reserve

Members of the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust receive a 10% discount on entry to Rutland Water Nature Reserve. You'll also receive a membership magazine three times a year, an exciting events diary, a guide to all our nature reserves - and you'll be directly supporting local wildlife and wild places, too!

Find out more