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Ynys Hir Wildlife Reserve
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Ynys Hir Wildlife Reserve

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Ynys Hir Wildlife Reserve
4.5
206 reviews
#2 of 16 things to do in Machynlleth
Nature & Wildlife Areas
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10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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The area
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7 within 3 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
206 reviews
Excellent
145
Very good
43
Average
10
Poor
5
Terrible
3
RavyD
Oswestry, UK13 contributions
A magical escape from the troubles of the world
Aug 2022
Visiting on a sunny day in August, I found Ynys Hir to be a wonderful place. If you're wanting to tick off sightings of bird species, then there are plenty to see - I saw egrets, a kingfisher and an osprey fairly soon after arriving. But more than that this is a place where nature is in charge. There are clear trails to follow, but either side there is a wide range of habitats, from the marshlands nearest the estuary to woodlands containing oak, birch, ash, hazel and many others. Insects buzz as you walk around, and I saw many butterflies, damsel and dragon flies. If you're looking for a place to re-charge your batteries, I'd recommend this.

I found the admission price reasonable, the staff friendly and finished my visit off with a hot chocololate and lemon drizzle cake.
Written August 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Debbie R
Leeds, UK172 contributions
Adapted well to Covid
Jul 2020 • Couples
The staff here have worked hard to ensure the reserve can maintain social distancing. One way systems have been put in place in order to enable you to explore the whole of the reserve whilst still social distancing. Two separate loops mean that you can choose a short or long walk. We did not see a lot of bird life but the walk takes you through a lot of different habitat, including ponds where dragonflies breed. I can imagine at the right time of year this would be a great place to see waders, there were a lot of geese around even now. The views across the estuary to Snowdonia are stunning. This may be your best chance to see osprey, which can be seen flying along the estuary sometimes, given that the osprey project is currently closed to visitors.
Written July 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Steve D
Caerleon, UK365 contributions
Please visit😀
Sep 2021 • Couples
We decided to visit the Reserve as we had heard good things about the place. We walked all 3 paths and had a lovely time, it really is a beautiful place with different types of fauna. We saw lots of birds especially on the Ponds and were impressed with the peat bog, All in all we would definitely recommend a visit.
Written September 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Caroline P
Sevenoaks, UK20 contributions
Route march between high embankments
Sep 2020
We did the salt marsh walk. The birds are very well protected from visitors as you walk between high embankments and can only see the water if you scramble up muddy slopes to peer over. Felt like a pleasant route march, certainly not a bird spotting opportunity.
Written September 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
beachstomp
King's Lynn, UK130 contributions
First class reserve
May 2019 • Couples
We were really impressed on our recent visits to Ynis Hir. The welcome we received was warm and informative. As members we did not have to pay an entrance fee. We followed the pathways and spent time not only watching birds, but also dragon flies and butterflies. Time spent in the hides rewarded us with glimpses of a spoonbill and as we walked we saw spotted flycatchers and even saw a cuckoo. On our first visit we only managed half the reserve so decided to revisit two days later to complete the wetland walk. So glad we did. Time just flew by and we enjoyed every minute.
Written May 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
James Coe
Kent, UK226 contributions
Not an RSPB member? - you will not be welcome!
May 2019 • Couples
We visited this RSPB site prior to checking into our hotel locally. We are National Trust members and tend to use that quite a lot, we are not however RSPB members, so we paid the daily fee and went on our jolly way…
Well…this is how is should have been had it not been for a rude, over-enthusiastic elderly gentleman whom berated us and made us feel as though we were not very welcome for not being RSPB members. We simply wouldn’t have time to enjoy RSPB and while we do care for the bird life (otherwise we wouldn’t have gone!) we do not see the value for us to join. When we told the gentleman named Clive this he retorted with ‘more than 80% of members rarely use their membership’. Erm….that makes very little financial sense to us.

Either way, we paid and went on our way with Clive in our minds. The walk was lovely however frankly we saw more birds at a local beach in the rushes than we did here.

I would recommend giving this place a wide birth and instead head of a local beach to bird watch, it cheaper and much more friendly (minus one Clive).
Written May 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
kernow-cousin
Bodmin, UK14 contributions
Disabled? dont go
Apr 2014 • Family
I wanted to visit the place where we saw all that wonderful scenery and wildlife on 'Spring Watch'. We went on holiday to Mid Wales partly because of that. Luckily we contacted the reserve before we actually went there to find out about disabled access. The reply told us that there was no disabled access, that I could sit in the cafe while the rest of the family walked around the reserve. We said that I use a mobility scooter or could take my wheelchair (which the family would push) but were told that none of the paths was suitable for a wheelchair or scooter.
Surely at least some of the paths could be tarmac or gravel !
Written April 14, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
inazumarina
Berkhamsted, UK231 contributions
Beautiful reserve
Apr 2022 • Solo
Great trails and easy to follow, lovely setting with different kinds of habitats. £6 adult entry was reasonable. Map was handy to have too!
Some really great flora to admire, pepperwort to cattails to water drop hemlock.
Written April 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Philip H
Reading, UK87 contributions
Hot Summers day
Jul 2019 • Solo
Visited for first time. The staff were knowledgeable and welcoming. The routes are very well signposted and paths kept clear. The different habitats are interesting as is the information provided about them. It was quite quiet on the bird front due to the heat, time of day and time of year, but hope to visit again later in the year. Still saw some interesting birds and the setting of the reserve is very peaceful. Keep up the great conservation work!
Written July 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Courtney M
Kettering, UK189 contributions
Stunning
Jul 2018 • Couples
We visited here on the weekend in the evening. We were amazed as there was nobody else here. There is a log cabin visitor centre by the car park, with the most squirrels I have ever seen in one place. None of them were scared, and quite happy to come near us. We took a stroll through the woods and eventually found a hide. The views were amazing. So many birds we have never seen in England. We never seen anyone the whole walk. I just wished we lived closer to visit this gem every week.
Written July 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Ynys Hir Wildlife Reserve (Machynlleth) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Ynys Hir Wildlife Reserve
Ynys Hir Wildlife Reserve is open:
  • Wed - Sun 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM