Visiting

WWT Steart Marshes, Stert Drove, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA5 2PU
Grid reference: ST 25208 44210

There is now a bookable bus service (Slinky) available to Steart Marshes. It must be booked via the Somerset Council website.

There is no other public transport to Steart Marshes. The nearest train station is in Bridgwater, where there is also a bus station (7-8 miles from the site). Other buses run to the village of Cannington (3.5 miles from the site).

The main car park is always open. 2.1m height barrier in operation 4.30pm to 9.00am daily and on Christmas Day. Steart Gate car park has a 2.1m height restriction at all times. We ask coaches to book a space in advance as we have limited capacity.

It takes about an hour to walk from the main car park to the breach point. Follow way-marking signs to surfaced paths, some accessible by wheelchair and most by bike. The English Coast Path runs through the site.

Please stick to the walking and cycling paths only. Public access is prohibited to the majority of the site to protect sensitive species under an S26 exclusion zone.

Dogs and their owners are very welcome at Steart Marshes. It's a great place for you to enjoy together. However, dogs can pose a risk to wildlife, and occasionally wildlife can pose a risk to your dog. So, we ask that everyone follows a few simple guidelines to help keep visitors, dogs and wildlife, happy and safe. To find out more please read our leaflet.

When visiting with your dog, please:

• Look out for the yellow signs, indicating a wildlife sensitive area
• Be mindful of other visitors who may not be keen on dogs
• Protect the natural environment by taking litter and dog mess away with you - we do not have bins around the reserve
• Keep your dog on a lead near livestock and let go if chased
• Keep your dog under effective control and out of all water and undergrowth
• You will find a designated dog swimming area close to the main entrance. This is marked on our maps.

Thank you. We hope you and your dog enjoy your visit to Steart Marshes.

Hides and toilets are open 9am - 4.30pm every day except Christmas Day, with a few seasonal extensions to these times. The screened viewing points are open all year round.

Most hides are accessible to wheelchair users but some viewing platforms and the Tower Hide have steps. There is an accessible toilet which can be accessed 24 hours a day with a Radar key.

Fancy a cuppa? Sarah's Scone Mad serves up a selection of sweet and savoury scones, soup, sausage rolls, jams, chutneys and more, between 11am and 3pm every Sunday (unless bad weather prevents a visit). Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available each week.

The site is also an ideal picnic spot so feel free to bring your own refreshments. The local villages have shops and places to eat and drink.

You can also buy FSC Steart Marshes wildlife guides (£4.25) and wetland species pin badges (£1.50) from the office at the back of the car park. If the yard gate is closed, we'll be on the reserve, so please try again later!

There's nothing better than getting outdoors in nature and spending time observing our wetland birds. But with many species facing increasing pressure, it's also our responsibility to make sure we protect them and the wetlands where they live.

We've pulled together some useful tips on how to get the most out of your birding, while still protecting and respecting the birds and wetlands you love.

Read our birdwatching code of conduct.