Visitor centres and cafes are now fully open at two Nottinghamshire nature reserves.
Combining retail therapy with the great outdoors has never been easier, according to the conservation charity the runs the reserves.
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust nature reserves have been a lifeline for many during the pandemic. They've been open for fresh air and daily exercise throughout the various versions of lockdown since March 2020.
Now as lockdown continues to ease and we are able to enjoy more of our usual activities, these green spaces are also catering for our love of shopping and those looking for specialist equipment can pop along for demo days.
Both centres stock a range of binoculars and scopes which the Trust says are especially useful at the moment as the hides at the reserves are still closed due to Covid restrictions.
However, there are plenty of screens to use across both sites, and others around the county, to help disguise your human outline whilst watching the waterfowl. Binoculars can help spot those birds you may not be able to see clearly to identify with the naked eye.
This weekend products on display can be tried before you buy (Covid safe protocols are in place). Experts are on hand, (and regular visitors!) to provide advice as to what might suit you personally, whether size, price and experience but also in real field conditions, where you can actually see the wildlife in front of you.
Visitor centres at both Attenborough Nature Centre near Beeston and the Idle Valley Nature Reserve Visitor Centre are now open seven days a week for either a drink and snack, or a more serious purchase that could enhance your wildlife experiences.
The Trust says that these important community venues provide a "dose of wellbeing medicine" and they also offer "a little bit of retail therapy too."
Adding that it is a well-known fact that being outdoors can help improve mental health and wellbeing, a statement that it says is backed up by reports from its 30 Days Wild participants over the years.
This weekend there are try before you buy demo days at Attenborough Nature Centre on Saturday, June 26, from 10.00am until 4.00pm, and at Idle Valley Nature Reserve Visitor Centre on Sunday, June 27, 10.00am to 4.00pm.
