getting here

Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve is located south of Skegness. Turn right off the B1451 just before the Skegness Clock Tower and head south for 5km. There are two car parks. The visitor centre is located at the main car park at the end of the road over the ‘hump’. 

 

dog access

Dogs must be kept on a short lead at all times, including on the beach and foreshore between September and March. No dogs are permitted on the beach or foreshore between 1 April to 1 September.

Dogs are allowed on the outside veranda of the Visitor Centre, but only guide dogs are permitted inside the Visitor Centre.

opening times

The reserve is open at all times.

The Visitor Centre is open 7 days a week
Visitor Centre - Summer hours
10:00 - 16:00
Visitor Centre - Winter hours
10:00 - 15:00

entry & prices

There is a charge which covers both car parks.
£2 for 2 hours or £5 for the day

Ticket machines accept coins only.

Gibraltar Point

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust

The trust is an incredible local wildlife conservation charity looking after nearly 100 nature reserves and helping to give wildlife a voice, and inspiring people of all ages to take action for wildlife.

find out more about gibraltar point

what species and habitats can you find?

Gibraltar Point is home to a wide mix of habitats, along with its geographic location, combine to make Gibraltar Point an excellent place for birds. Nearly 340 species have been recorded on the reserve.

Habitats include intertidal mudflats, beach, sea, dunes, saltmarsh, scrub, woodland, freshwater, brackish water and grazing marsh – all in close proximity. Alongside this, migrant birds coming over from the continent or migrating down the east coast are naturally funnelled down the coast until they hit the point. This natural concentration means that Gibraltar Point has recorded a huge number of rare and scarce birds over the years.

Winter species

Corn bunting, wild geese, hen harrier, merlin, short-eared owl, divers and eider on the sea, snow bunting, winter wildfowl, jack snipe.

Spring species

Wheatear, black redstart, yellow wagtail, marsh harrier, firecrest, sandwich tern, little ringed plover.

Summer species

Spoonbill, great white egret, little egret, water rail, meadow pipit,

Autumn species

Ruff, spotted redshank, greenshank, bearded tit, little stint, curlew sandpiper, hobby, pink-footed goose, whooper swan, pintail, stonechat, black-tailed godwit, avocet, wood sandpiper, sand martin.

plan your visit to Gibraltar Point

useful hints and tips

A sightings board is updated daily and a birding guide to Gibraltar Point is available at the Visitor Centre.

End the day at the Wash View Point for views of birds of prey such as harriers and merlin.

Mill Hill, east of the north car park, is the highest point on the reserve and excellent for visible migration and sea-watching.

The freshwater marsh has several hides and can be excellent for a range of wildfowl and waders.

The plantation is an excellent spot to look for small migrants and includes a bird feeding station.

knot in their thousands

Autumn high tides are a good time to spot flocks of Knot in their thousands as demonstrated in this video footage.

facilities

Gibraltar Point has a Visitor Centre, toilets (including disabled), baby changing facilities, café and shop.