There’s lots to enjoy at Thatcham Nature Discovery Centre – two wooden play areas, Thatcham Lake with ducks galore, a cafe with indoor and outdoor tables and a Visitor Centre full of games and puzzles. There are also reedbeds, wetlands, woodlands and even a canal to explore.
The Adventure Play Area The Second Play Area
The adventure play area’s equipment is aimed at children of over 8 years old and includes:
The second play area’s animal-themed equipment is aimed at younger children and has:
The Visitor Centre The staff were lovely and when we ran out of paper for the brass rubbing they brought some more over without us needing to ask. Thatcham Lake The Walks The paths are generally flat and firm with the occasional tree root.
The Visitor Centre is next to the play area and houses a cafe, a shop (where you can buy duck food) and a small, wildlife-inspired indoor play area with some unusual jigsaws, feelie box puzzles, brasses to rub and a fish tank.
This area was much quieter, probably because the weather outside was beautiful, and we spent an uninterrupted half hour playing. 
The lakeside is often covered in wandering water birds. Ducks, moorhens, geese and swans were everywhere and seemed very used to visitors, some hardly moving when approached. 
There are three walks signposted from the Visitor Centre that take 30, 45 or 60 minutes.
Visit the Thatcham Nature Discovery Centre website
Further Information
Nearest Town: Thatcham Opens: Daily during the summer but closed on Mondays during the winter. Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at the cafe. How Long We Spent There: 2 hours Parking: There are a few car parks. Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, swans, geese, waterbirds and insects. Information Written: April 2017
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: RG19 3FU
Cost: Free
Facilities: Cafe, snacks, ice cream, picnic area, toilets, and accessible toilets.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.
Cost of Parking: Free – donations are suggested but not required.
Ratings
Our visit to Thatcham Nature Discovery Centre is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.
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