BY NICK PEARCE
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has introduced a ticket-only parking restriction at its Snettisham reserve in Norfolk for the Wader Spectacular days. Visitors must now book a parking space in advance on the RSPB website and pay a fee—including paid-up members.
The Wader Spectacular is a natural phenomenon where tens of thousands of waders swirl in the skies above The Wash, typically occurring on a handful of high-tide dates each year. The event has historically been free to attend, with visitors arriving by car to witness the spectacle.
According to the RSPB’s official booking page, car parking until 11am on event days is strictly by pre-booked ticket only. No tickets are available on the day, and visitors arriving by car without a valid booking will be turned away.
The charges are £9.50 for RSPB members and £13.50 for non-members. Tickets are limited to two per customer and are strictly non-transferable and non-refundable. The ticket is valid only for the specific date booked.
There are only 80 parking spaces available at the reserve. The RSPB states that the Spectaculars can attract crowds of up to 500 people, meaning the car park cannot meet demand.
The RSPB explains that the new system is designed to “manage this more effectively and ensure a safer, more enjoyable experience for all”. The charity notes that the car park has a height barrier of 2.1 metres, with no alternative parking for taller vehicles at the reserve. Visitors are directed to Snettisham Beach car park as an alternative, which is not managed by the RSPB and charges apply year-round.
Access to the reserve by foot or bike remains free at all times, and there is no admission fee to enter the reserve on foot.
The RSPB’s most recent annual accounts, filed with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) and covering the year ending 31 March 2025, show total income of £194,964,000, total expenditure of £176,791,000, and a surplus of £18,173,000. This represents a 15% increase in income from the previous year, which the charity has described as “a year of record income” that “helps secure a resilient future for nature”.
At the proposed average parking fee of £11.50 per space across 80 spaces for approximately ten high-tide events per year, the new ticketing scheme would generate roughly £9,200 annually in additional revenue.
Beyond the ticketing requirement, visitors should be aware of other limitations. There is a height barrier of 2.1 metres (6’9″) with no alternative parking for tall vehicles such as campervans or cars with roof boxes at the reserve. Accessible parking is extremely limited and must be booked in advance, with requests submitted at least five working days prior to the visit. The Wader Watch point is approximately 2km from the car park, with steps and uneven terrain along the route. No drones are permitted at the reserve.
The RSPB has been contacted for further comment on the new system and its impact on members and local visitors.
The move has not gone down well with some:
Make up your own minds and enjoy the photograph as it may be the closest you ever get to the Snettisham Wader Spectacular in your lives.