About the event

This summer holidays, we have six nature reserves around the county running FREE self-guided trails. So whether you're heading to the coast, fancy a woodland walk in the dappled shade of the trees or beautiful lake views, or even want to find a peaceful oasis in town, there's an outdoor activity all ages can enjoy together. Check out your nearest location, grab a leaflet and get searching!

Our Butterfly Trail is aflutter with fascinating facts. What is the UK's largest butterfly? How do comma butterflies protect themselves from predators? Where did the name 'butterfly' come from in the first place? It's been a fantastic year for butterflies and as you enjoy a stroll to find the boards and use them to answer the questions on the trail leaflet, you're very likely to be joined along the way by some of our beautiful summer species. Find it at:

Snipe Dales, near Spilsby

Saturday 1 August to Sunday 6 September 2026, 8.30am to 5pm

Help yourself to a leaflet from the rack on the wall of the main building, near the snipe wings artwork, then start looking! The boards for this trail are all positioned along the main track for accessibility, but there are plenty of options to make completing it part of a longer circular route should you wish. The path is surfaced but can be uneven and quite steep in places. An all-terrain pushchair or carrier is recommended if you're bringing little ones. The trail is within the country park area of Snipe Dales, not the nature reserve, so dogs on leads are welcome. Please bring £1 cash for the car park machine. There are toilets in the car park area.

Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park, from Chapel Point to Anderby Marsh

Saturday 1 August to Sunday 6 September 2026, 10am to 4pm

Pop into the Seascape Cafe at the North Sea Observatory (pay and display car park), pick up a trail leaflet, admire the stunning view and treat yourself to something delicious or refreshing! Then head out north along the top of the beach, waymarked as the England Coast Path. Please be aware that the path is on soft sand for the first 900 metres. Keep following the path when it moves to the inland side of the dunes. It will take you through both Chapel Six Marshes and Wolla Bank car parks and you will find the final butterfly board at the new hide looking out over Anderby Marsh nature reserve. You can retrace your steps to return to the NSO or take a path over the dunes and walk back along the beach. Dogs on leads are very welcome on this trail.

Are you being watched? There are eyes everywhere on our Eye Spy Trail. But which species do they belong to? Track down the 10 boards and all will be revealed! Find it at:

Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James

Tuesday 4 August to Sunday 6 September 2026, open at all times

Explore this lovely wetland nature reserve in the south of the county and enjoy solving the trail's identity quiz as you go. You'll find leaflets in a holder on the fence as you enter the reserve. The boards are located on the circular walk of around 2km, that includes a stretch of lakeside with views opening up between the trees, a woodland meander and a wander back along the bank of the Welland. The nature reserve has a free car park (please drive slowly and carefully up the track!) but the nearest facilities are in Deeping St James and Crowland. Dogs can be walked on the river bank but not within the nature reserve.

Our native wildflowers have some weird and wonderful names, many derived from their traditional uses as well as appearance. But is that feverflax, sneezewort or burnheal? Is dancing lady a real flower? Do those pretty white petals look like hearts, hills and valleys, or mouse ears? Seek out the eight boards on our new Wildflower Trail and discover the answers (as well as where to spot the species growing in Lincolnshire). Find it at:

Whisby Nature Park, Lincoln

Saturday 1 August to Sunday 6 September 2026, 10am to 4pm

Pop into the Visitor Centre to grab a trail leaflet (normal Whisby car parking charges apply), then set off on the 1.2-mile circular walk around Thorpe Lake to find all the boards. This is a level path suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs, and dogs are welcome on this route. As well as the wildflower name challenge, you'll find lovely views over Whisby's largest lake.

Banovallum House, Horncastle

Tuesday 4 August to Sunday 6 September 2026, 9am to 5pm

Help yourself to a leaflet from the fence by the front door of Banovallum House, our Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust headquarters, then follow the arrow to the left to start looking for your first wildflower! The boards for this trail are all positioned around the short circular walk through our grounds, which includes gravel and grass paths that may be uneven in places. Part of it runs alongside the river. No dogs please. Banovallum House is through the white gates at the end of Manor House Street, just beyond the community centre and a stone's throw from the Horncastle marketplace. Car parking and public toilets are available in the town centre.

Our brand-new-for-summer Colourful Creatures Trail is here to brighten up your walk with all the vibrant shades of nature. Find the boards to get everything you need to decipher the code and save the day for Winona the woodpecker! Find it at:

Far Ings National Nature Reserve, Barton-upon-Humber

Saturday 1 August to Sunday 6 September 2026, 10am to 4pm

Park in the free Visitor Centre car park, or walk from Barton along the Humber Bank, pop upstairs and pick up a trail leaflet (admire the view while you're there - and you'll also find toilets if you need them, and hot drinks, ice cream and snacks available in the small gift shop), then set out down the Tadpole Trail looking for your first board. The short there-and-back route with a loop at the end is perfect for little legs, and there's plenty of interest, from the boardwalk through the reeds to the fairy dell in the woodland. Please note that dogs are permitted inside but not on the trail. The Visitor Centre is open Wednesday to Sunday and Bank Holidays; there will be a leaflet holder at the start of the Tadpole Trail (opposite the main building entrance) at other times.