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Welcome to the Itinerary Planner. Use this tool to build your own journey or choose from an exciting range of specially selected tours.

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    This is Durham Blog

You are here > Home > Things to Do > RSPB Saltholme

RSPB Saltholme

Seaton Carew Road
Middlesbrough
Tees Valley
TS2 1TU

Tel: +44 (0)1642 546625

Email

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Add RSPB Saltholme to your Itinerary

Girl looking through a magnifying glass into a bug pot
  • Girl looking through a magnifying glass into a bug pot
  • Avocet walking through water and behind the grass
  • Mum and daughter on wood platform next to a pond. Daughter is holding a net in the water to pond dip for creatures.
  • Blue and black bodied dragonfly with a blue head (Southern Migrant Hawker) resting on a reed.
  • Girl and boy sat at a hide window looking out through binoculars
  • Egret landing on grass with pool of water behind
  • A man and boy playing a mud kitchen
  • RSPB Saltholme Nature Reserve
  • View from Paddy's Hide window showing the Transporter Bridge

About

RSPB Saltholme is the perfect place if you’re new to birdwatching or want to get out in nature. Our family-friendly wetlands have a helpful visitor's centre and hides which let you get up close to water rail, avocet and terns, plus a cafe, play area and accessible trails and also offer a range of activities allowing people to explore the wonderful wildlife, with everything from family pond dipping sessions to out-of-hours birdwatching tours.

We’re home to a breeding colony of Common Terns, Avocet and Lapwing over the summer, have murmurations of 10,000 – 20,000 Starlings in the winter, and flocks of wildfowl and waders over winter here too. There’s also a resident Harbour Seal colony at Greatham Creek, 1.5 miles from our main site.

The café will offers lunches, snacks and drinks between 9.30 and 3.15 daily. Our shop is open from 10.00am to 4.00pm selling our range of birdfood, bird care, binoculars and gifts.

View our Accessibility Guide here.

Book Tickets

Awards

  • Visit EnglandVAQAS VAQAS 2021
  • Regional and MiscellaneousVisitEngland Gold Accolade VisitEngland Gold Accolade 2023

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

4.7 of 5 stars
491 reviews
    • Excellent
      351
    • Very Good
      123
    • Average
      13
    • Poor
      2
    • Terrible
      2

    Recent Reviews:

    • Jacqueline B
      Amazing
      5 of 5 stars
      Saturday, 22nd February 2025
      I went yesterday with my to grandchildren we were just going to play in the park because we were not coming for long and the kids got in for free. I’m a member and come here a lot the staff are so... Read full review
    • Daphne and Bill A
      Visit to rspb bird sanctuary
      3 of 5 stars
      Wednesday, 9th April 2025
      Loved it except plagued by midges on the lake walk! No choice of gluten free food in cafe unfortunately.🙁👎 Great info on binoculars and monoculars in souvenir shop. Wish i’d known about the... Read full review
    • elle090
      london
      Trip Type:
      Couples
      Enjoyable day
      4 of 5 stars
      Thursday, 24th April 2025
      First time to an RSPB reserve so not sure what to expect. Overall would have preferred to see more birds but this will vary according to time of year. The bird hides were very good as was the... Read full review
    Write a review
    © TripAdvisor 2025

    Facilities

    Accessibility

    • Access Statement - Read our Access Statement here: https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/saltholme/accessibility/

    Parking & Transport

    • Coach Drop Off / Pick Up Point
    • Coach Parking Onsite
    • On site parking

    Provider Features

    • WiFi Available

    Tours and Demonstrations

    • Educational Visits Accepted

    Access Information

    Opening Times

    Spring/Summer (1 Apr 2025 - 31 Oct 2025)
    DayTimes
    Monday - Sunday09:30 - 17:00
    Autumn/Winter (1 Nov 2025 - 31 Mar 2026)
    DayTimes
    Monday - Sunday09:30 - 16:00

    * Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
    New Year’s Eve 9.30am-3pm and New Year's Day 10.30am-4pm

    facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaltholmeRSPB

    Map & Directions

    Map Link

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