Our field sales events run throughout the year and cover many areas of the country. They allow thousands of people each year to buy optical equipment satisfied that the telescope or binocular they have chosen is the right one for their needs. This is because they have tested it themselves under actual field conditions in a country park or nature reserve, with expert assistance from our non-commissioned staff to help them make the right choice.
Our field events are open from 10am to 4pm. We accept all major credit cards and part exchange is always considered.
If you need more information or there is a particular product or selection of products you want to test, please contact us before the event by telephoning your nearest In Focus shop (telephone numbers are on the shop page).
Click here to see our events calendar.
North & Midlands
HAUXLEY NATURE RESERVE
Northumberland Wildlife Trust NE65 0JR
https://www.nwt.org.uk
Located on the coast just east of the A1068 one mile south of Amble. Follow the road through High Hauxley, then turn off right towards the Caravan Park. Fork right again to the reserve car park, events are held in the visitor centre. Free parking, information, toilets and wheelchair access. Part of a complex of wetland reserves in Druridge Bay managed by the Northumberland Wildlife Trust.
LOW BARNS NATURE RESERVE
Durham Wildlife Trust DL14 0AG
http://www.durhamwt.com
On the banks of the River Wear 3 miles West of Bishop Auckland, Low Barns is a place where you can get close to nature. The bird feeding station is always busy with life, from blue tits to tree creepers. There are bird hides across the site, with views across lakes and reed beds where kingfishers and, if you’re lucky, otters and perhaps over wintering bitterns can be seen. Events are held at the Durham Wildlife Trust Centre viewing tower. Free parking, information, refreshments, toilets and wheelchair access.
NORTH CAVE WETLANDS
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust HU15 2LY
http://www.northcavewetlands.com
North Cave Wetlands, although a former sand and gravel quarry, is now a thriving oasis of wildlife. A mixture of shallow and deep water lakes and reedbeds provide outstanding habitat for passage, breeding and wintering wildfowl, waders, terns and gulls. Events are held in the Crosslands Hide at the end of Dryham Lane.
RAINTON MEADOWS NATURE RESERVE
Durham Wildlife Trust DH4 6PU
http://www.durhamwt.com/
A place for all the family to enjoy, Rainton Meadows is conveniently located between Durham and Sunderland, well signposted from the A690. A showcase for nature’s power to restore and rejuvenate, the Trust has helped transform this former surface coal mine into lakes, wetlands, woodlands and grasslands.
TOPHILL LOW NATURE RESERVE
East Riding of Yorkshire YO25 9RH
https://www.yorkshirewater.com/things-to-do/tophill-low-nature-reserve
Located north of Hull in the East Riding of Yorkshire, Tophill Low Nature reserve is an active Yorkshire Water treatment works built in 1959. It formally opened as a nature reserve in 1993 and features 12 hides spread across a 300 acre site that flanks the river Hull.
South & East
FARMOOR RESERVOIR
Oxford OX2 9NS
https://corporate.thameswater.co.uk/about-us/community/great-days-out/recreational-sites/Farmoor-reservoir
Situated a couple of miles from Oxford City Centre, Farmoor Reservoir lies just off of the A420 between Cumnor and Eynsham. The combination of open reservoir, woodland, and riverside wetlands and meadows attracts a great variety of birds ranging on occasion from Ospreys to Garganey to the sought after Red Throated Diver that visits the site through the winter months. For further information call Keith on 07533 698198.
RYE HARBOUR NATURE RESERVE
Sussex Wildlife Trust TN31 7TX
https://sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/ryeharbour
Discover wildlife in a mosaic of coastal habitats – shingle, saltmarsh, saline lagoons, coastal grazing marsh, freshwater gravel pits and reedbeds. From the A259 coast road, west of Rye centre, the reserve is signposted. Car park and toilets available. Weather/season determines working location but all suitable for disabled.
SANDWICH BAY OBSERVATORY
Kent CT13 9PF
http://sbbot.org.uk
From the town, head towards Sandwich Bay and the golf courses. When reaching the toll gate either park outside of the gate and walk 400 yards to the Observatory or pay the £1 toll fee (refundable against purchases over £100).
SEVENOAKS WILDLIFE CENTRE
Kent TN13 3DH
https://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/sevenoaks-wildlife-reserve-and-jeffery-harrison-visitor-centre
A pioneering nature reserve which has a roughly equal proportions of water and land. It includes five lakes and a mixed habitat of ponds, seasonal flooded pools, reedbed and woodlands. Situated just 2 miles east of the M25/M26 junction. Follow the A25 south and then east to the Reserve. Toilets and refreshments available. For further information call Keith on 07533 698198.
NATURE DISCOVERY CENTRE THATCHAM
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust RG19 3FU
https://www.bbowt.org.uk/explore/visitor-centres/nature-discovery-centre
The Centre is packed full of interactive wildlife and natural history displays. There is a network of footpaths ranging from small family-friendly walks to longer paths for the more adventurous. Surrounded by a mosaic of different habitats, there is fantastic wildlife to see all year around. Situated close to Newbury, the Centre is easily accessed just off the A4. The Visitor Centre is wheelchair friendly and toilets and refreshments are available.
WARNHAM LOCAL NATURE RESERVE
West Sussex RH12 2RA
https://www.horsham.gov.uk/parks-and-countryside/warnham-local-nature-reserve
Warnham Local Nature Reserve is a haven for wildlife just a 30-minute walk from Horsham town centre. The Reserve has bird hides overlooking a 17-acre millpond, walking trails through meadows and woodland, boardwalks over the marshy grassland and a woodpecker hide. The Visitor Centre and café has toilets, baby change facilities and a disabled toilet.
South & West
THE BLACK SHED
Slimbridge GL2 7BP
https://www.theblackshedslimbridge.com
Located on the south bank of the Gloucester and Sharpness canal next to Patch Bridge on the road leading to the WWT reserve at Slimbridge. Follow signs to the reserve from the A38. The Black Shed is approximately 1.5 miles from the roundabout. From the M5, leave at junction 14 if heading northbound or junction 13 if heading southbound. Toilets and refreshments available.
BLASHFORD LAKES NATURE RESERVE
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust BH24 3PJ
https://www.hiwwt.org.uk/nature-reserves/blashford-lakes-nature-reserve
The woodlands, lakes and grasslands at Blashford hum with life and vitality, attracting a plethora of wild birds such as redpolls, bitterns, bramblings and kingfishers. With six bird hides and 8km of rolled gravel paths, bird-watching has never been easier. Up to 5,000 birds can been seen at Blashford Lakes during the winter – some birds travel all the way from Scandinavia to spend their winters here! Common terns, lapwings and oyster catchers are often seen feeding on the lakes. Blashford Lakes is 2 miles north of Ringwood on the A338, turn right (east) onto Ellingham Drove, the reserve entrance is after 500 yards with the main car park to the left and the Education Centre to the right. Please follow In Focus signs.
STANPIT MARSH NATURE RESERVE
Dorset BH23 3LX
https://www.visit-dorset.com/things-to-do/stanpit-marsh-nature-reserve-p1170603
The 65 hectare site has an unusual combination of habitats including salt marsh with creeks and salt pans, reed beds, freshwater marsh, gravel estuarine banks and sandy scrub. It lies within a stones throw of Christchurch in Dorset. The Reserve car park is 50 yards to the east of The Ship in Distress Pub in Stanpit Village. Optics events are held in the Visitor Centre, a 5 minute walk from the car park.
DAWLISH WARREN NATURE RESERVE
Devon EX7 0NF
https://www.dawlishwarren.info/things-to-do-at-dawlish-warren/dawlish-warren-nature-reserve/
Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve is an area of grassland, sand dunes, mudflats and centres on a 1½ mile long sandspit/beach across the mouth of the Exe Estuary. As part of the Exe Estuary it is one of the most important places for wildfowl and wading birds in the whole of the South West. Thousands of birds come to feed, on migration, or to spend the winter here. The reserve is well signposted from the M5. You will find us at the Visitor Centre, a two minute walk from the car park.
PORTLAND BIRD OBSERVATORY
Dorset DT5 2JT
http://www.portlandbirdobs.com
Located at the southern end of Portland Bill. Parking and toilets available. There are steps to the viewing area with views over shrubs, fields and the sea.
Wales & Scotland
WWT LLANELLI
Carmarthenshire SA14 9SH
From J47 on the M4 take the A438 and after 1¼ miles turn right onto the A484. Follow the A484 for 4½ miles, turn left and follow the signs to the WWT reserve. Events are held at the Penclacwydd Main Building or in the Marsh Hide depending on the weather. Entrance to WWT members is free although there is a charge for non members.
THREAVE NATURE RESERVE
Dumfries and Galloway DG7 1RX
https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/threave-garden
Situated 20 miles west of Dumfries, from the A75 turn left towards Castle Douglas following the signs to Threave Garden and Estate. The nature reserve is a Special Protection Area for breeding waders and wintering wildfowl – pink-footed geese and Greenland white-fronted geese are regular visitors.