Jane's Midlife Journey

Kingfisher Barn is a Visitor Centre in the Stour Valley Nature Reserve; a two mile stretch of riverside footpaths on the northern edge of Bournemouth. The reserve is abundant with flora and fauna, with over 400 species of plants, plus plenty of wildlife, such as kingfishers, otters and dragonflies.

How to get to Kingfisher Barn

The centre is 4 miles from central Bournemouth along the A347/A3060 (Castle Lane West). Turn onto Muscliffe Lane and drive until you see the car park. By bus, take the No 12 to Granby Road.

Parking

There is a free car park close to the Visitor Centre in Granby Road.

Opening Times

The Visitor Centre is open daily between 10 am and 5 pm from April until August. In the winter, it is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 10 am and 4 pm. You can walk the trails at any time.

Price

There is no entry fee.

Visitor Centre

The Visitor Centre provides maps and other information plus refreshments (drinks, cakes and ice cream). It is also home to a wildlife garden and pond.

It organises a range of activities for children and adults throughout the year. For adults, there are guided walks, the chance to learn new skills such as willow weaving, plus opportunities to volunteer with tasks such as hedge laying.

Trails

From Kingfisher Barn, there are a choice of three trails you can follow along the banks of the River Stour. You will have already followed The Owl Trail to reach the Visitor Centre. In addition, there are seasonal trails at Halloween and Christmas.

The Owl Trail

The Owl Trail runs from the car park, via the Visitor Centre, to the river bank. It is lined with carved wooden owl sculptures.

The Dragonfly Trail

Take the path from the Visitor Centre to the riverside, then turn right to follow the Dragonfly Trail. This 1.2 mile long loop heads east along the river and back through the aboretum. Here, you may encounter one of the reserve’s 17 species of dragonflies/damselflies.

The Pollinator Trail

Take the path from the Visitor Centre to the riverside, then turn left to follow the Pollinator Trail. This 3.5 mile long loop goes west along the river as far as Cherry Tree Nursery and back through wildflower meadows which provide nectar for pollinating insects.

The Butterfly Trail

An extension to the Pollinator Trail is to continue along the river for the 4 mile long Butterfly Trail, this turns and returns to the Pollinator Trail via the Paddock. Here, you may encounter one of the valley’s 28 species of butterfly.

Kingfisher Barn for Children

For children, there are guided walks plus regular activities, such as nature tots and pond dipping. In addition, there are holiday and seasonal activities, such as craft sessions on offer.

I hope you found this information useful. For more inspiration on things to do in and around Bournemouth, check out my 101 Things to do in Bournemouth here.

• Updated: September 2023