Otmoor
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
32 reviews
Excellent
18
Very good
13
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
H B
Jhubei15 contributions
Jan 2020
I visit Otmoor several times a year.
Pros: Starling murmeration in the winter months. Arrive an hour before sunset and make your way to the second hide. As the light fades, the starlings will come together and form beautiful patterns in the sky. Supposedly some days they don't do it, but so far I haven't gone when there haven't been some activity.
plenty of other bird activity, from garden birds to waders and ducks to watch
Interesting insects in the summer months, I've spotted a rhino beetle for example
Negatives: a long walk along pretty samey scenery to get to the hide. Rarely muddy but it was last time I visited - I was glad I had my wellies on. The walk back in the twilight is always a bit long and cold in winter.
Pros: Starling murmeration in the winter months. Arrive an hour before sunset and make your way to the second hide. As the light fades, the starlings will come together and form beautiful patterns in the sky. Supposedly some days they don't do it, but so far I haven't gone when there haven't been some activity.
plenty of other bird activity, from garden birds to waders and ducks to watch
Interesting insects in the summer months, I've spotted a rhino beetle for example
Negatives: a long walk along pretty samey scenery to get to the hide. Rarely muddy but it was last time I visited - I was glad I had my wellies on. The walk back in the twilight is always a bit long and cold in winter.
Written January 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dubz
Oxford, UK240 contributions
May 2022
RSPB Otmoor is outstanding for birdwatching etc. There is a circular walk which you can take your mut on. The main reserve is in the middle, and dogs are not allowed there.
The reserve has lots of water ways, deep reed beds, trees and large ponds. In the middle where the larger amounts of water are, there are a few hides.
Hobbys, Marsh Harriers, Several waders, warblers, geese, waterfowl, Peregrines frequent the area. Lots of migratory birds, so you have a good mix depending on the season.
Rare birds like Curlews and Common Crane and Bitterns can be seen/heard.
The car park is small, and there are no WC's or places to get refreshments. There are a few seats dotted around to rest your weary feet.
The reserve has lots of water ways, deep reed beds, trees and large ponds. In the middle where the larger amounts of water are, there are a few hides.
Hobbys, Marsh Harriers, Several waders, warblers, geese, waterfowl, Peregrines frequent the area. Lots of migratory birds, so you have a good mix depending on the season.
Rare birds like Curlews and Common Crane and Bitterns can be seen/heard.
The car park is small, and there are no WC's or places to get refreshments. There are a few seats dotted around to rest your weary feet.
Written June 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rastamouse
190 contributions
Jan 2016 • Friends
A great way to spend a crisp, cold winter twilight!
The starlings murmuration happens in the winter months and is best seen on clear evenings. Arrive early (we arrived at 3pm) as the car park gets very busy and wear wellies as it can be very icy and muddy. Wrap up warm as you could be standing around for a long time and the temperatures plummet (murmuration happened around 4.15pm). I'd suggest taking a flask of hot drinks but there are no toilet facilities so I guess it depends on your bladder!
The murmuration is spectacular! Approx 75000 starlings flocking to the reed beds. We watched from the second viewing point and got a fantastic show just as the sun was setting.
It's a good 20 minute walk to the viewing points and even slower on the way back when the hoards depart. Lots of other wild birds to spot too.
The starlings murmuration happens in the winter months and is best seen on clear evenings. Arrive early (we arrived at 3pm) as the car park gets very busy and wear wellies as it can be very icy and muddy. Wrap up warm as you could be standing around for a long time and the temperatures plummet (murmuration happened around 4.15pm). I'd suggest taking a flask of hot drinks but there are no toilet facilities so I guess it depends on your bladder!
The murmuration is spectacular! Approx 75000 starlings flocking to the reed beds. We watched from the second viewing point and got a fantastic show just as the sun was setting.
It's a good 20 minute walk to the viewing points and even slower on the way back when the hoards depart. Lots of other wild birds to spot too.
Written January 21, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jan M
Oxfordshire, UK94 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
As a regular visitor throughout the year to Otmoor I can't recommend it enough for nature lovers. However, here are some points to bear in mind if you decide to visit. It can be very difficult to park at weekends - especially if it's starlings murmuration season. In wet weather you need wellies as the paths can get very wet and muddy and in some areas quite flooded. There is one large public hide and two screens. There are few options to do a circular walk so bear in mind when you're walking you're likely to have to turn around and walk back the same way. If you're not that good on your feet there are few benches at Otmoor. Also, there are no toilets and it's at least a mile from the car park back to Beckley village where there is a pub. Entry to the reserve and car parking are free.
Written August 1, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lady_Road_Warrior
Sun City, AZ348 contributions
Jan 2016 • Couples
I had read and seen videos about the starlings and their constantly changing formations in the sky called murmurations. I learned that about 80k to100k come to roost at Otmoor during the winter months. The day I chose to go was gray, cold, windy, and rainy. You need to arrive about an hour before sunset. There is a free car park but it fills quickly. The walk from the car park seemed quite long; guessing maybe a mile down a muddy path. I was told there were three hides for viewing but we stopped at the first one. Although I was bundled up it was still cold and my jeans were coated in mud, so plan accordingly. Because it was dreary the birds arrived in smaller groups but the display was still amazing. I only wish I could have added my video to this review but you can find examples on the web.
Written January 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tim J
Banbury, UK321 contributions
Sep 2020
An interesting place for seeing many slightly unusual, highly seasonal, birds. It did not take us long to spot some birds of prey and there is an excellent bird feeder set up nearby to the carpark.
I feel like some of the areas could be more accessible and there are very few hides.
I feel like some of the areas could be more accessible and there are very few hides.
Written October 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GroovyRhino
Northampton, UK32 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
First visit here and will definitely be returning. Nicely spread out with good quality hides. We saw two cuckoo's and a crane which was a first for us in the UK. Worth a visit!
Written May 30, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Catherine H
London155 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
Came here on a sunny day and got extremely lucky with the wildlife. Saw about 10+ grass snakes basking by the river side, birds of prey including a marsh harrier, frogs, a woodpecker and even saw a weasel scurry along the path ahead of us! Otmoor is beautiful and makes a lovely day out, we spent about 2-3 hours here. We came mid week and there was more people than I expected, so I would have thought it can get busy in peak times
Written March 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Juliana B
38 contributions
Jun 2019 • Solo
Very pretty paths and lakes; good hides and screens - even though I didn't see much they were a good place to sit and watch what birds there were going about their day. The bridle path was particularly rich in birdsong, and I glimpsed a few assorted warblers. Seeing a cuckoo in flight as I left was a very welcome bonus.
Written June 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
charlotte056
Sandown, UK433 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
We only dropped in to kill a couple of hours.
However within 15 minutes we had seen geese, squirrels, red kites and a marsh harrier.
The paths were clean and hardly muddy, no litter and the odd seats.
We encountered a few really friendly birdwatchers and one kindly set up his tripod telescope so we could see a peregrine falcon. Amazing. Add to this shoveller ducks and muntjac deer. It was 2 hours well spent.
However within 15 minutes we had seen geese, squirrels, red kites and a marsh harrier.
The paths were clean and hardly muddy, no litter and the odd seats.
We encountered a few really friendly birdwatchers and one kindly set up his tripod telescope so we could see a peregrine falcon. Amazing. Add to this shoveller ducks and muntjac deer. It was 2 hours well spent.
Written March 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
easystevee
Burnham, UK10 contributions
Is there an admission fee for non members?
MollieMay
Norfolk, UK44 contributions
No admission. An honesty box for parking.
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Claim your listingOtmoor - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Otmoor
- Otmoor is open:
- Sun - Sat 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
- Hotels near Otmoor:
- (1.15 mi) Oxford Country Cottages
- (4.00 mi) Sandfield Guest House
- (4.25 mi) The Claddagh Guest House
- (3.97 mi) Red Mullions
- (5.15 mi) Lyne House
- Restaurants near Otmoor:
- (2.10 mi) The Nut Tree Inn
- (5.09 mi) Tribe
- (5.05 mi) Za'atar Bake
- (5.05 mi) Antep Kitchen
- (5.06 mi) Yeti Nepalese Restaurant
Otmoor Information
Excellent Reviews | 18 |
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Very Good Reviews | 13 |
Otmoor Photos | 19 |