Westport Lake Visitor Centre

Lake and surrounding grounds to explore
Lakeside cafe
Spectacular Wildlife
Family activities for all ages

Important notices

***COVID 19 update***

Westport Lake Visitor Centre cafe reopened to the public on Saturday 27th March and will offer a limited takeaway menu 

We are also offering outdoor seating for the cafe from Monday 12th April and members of the public will be required to undergo track and trace 

Come and join us

Situated on the edge of Westport Lake, a great spot for bird-watching and walking, the Westport Lake Visitor Centre boasts a welcoming cafe with panoramic views of the water. It is the perfect place to visit for families, walkers and nature lovers.

  • Our friendly cafe offers a wide range of hot and cold snacks and drinks, which can be enjoyed inside or outside on the lakeside balcony
  • The lake and surrounding grounds, which are looked after by Stoke-on-Trent City Council, are ideal for a stroll. There is a good, level footpath of around one mile around the lake, and a health walk around the conservation area
  • There is a regular programme of family activities at the visitor centre during the school holidays. See the What's On page for details.
  • Look out for wildlife - Westport Lake is an important overwintering site for many water birds and unusual species are known to stop-off at the lake during migration. The conservation area at the northern end of the site is home to many animals including kingfishers and dragonflies
  • There is a children's play area by the visitor centre, which is managed by Stoke-on-Trent City Council

Wildlife watch

In the winter many water birds call Westport Lake their home and numerous unusual species are known to stop-off at the lake during migration. 

So grab your binoculars and head over to the centre and see what you can spot! Listed below are some of the sites wildlife highlights. 

Tufted Duck - Westport Lake
Species

Tufted Duck

The unmistakeable, black-and-white Tufted Duck lives up to its name - look out for the black tuft of feathers on its head.
Fieldfare Westport Lake
Species

Fieldfare

Often spotted in large flocks, the Fieldfare is an attractive thrush. It is a winter visitor, enjoying the feast of seasonal berries the UK.
Westport Lake - Great Creasted Grebe
Species

Great Crested Grebe

The graceful Great Crested Grebe is a familiar sight on our lakes and reservoirs, and is well-known for its elaborate courtship dance.

Opening times

Opening hours

Westport Lake Visitor Centre Cafe reopened on Saturday 27th March offering a limited takeaway service daily between 10am-4pm and outside seating from Monday 12th April. Members of the public will be required to undergo track and trace 

Toilets:

There are toilets in the visitor centre. There is an accessible toilet and baby changing facilities can be used from a seated position.

Other facilities and services

Conference facilities: There is a room available for hire at the Westport Lake Visitor Centre for meetings, conferences and other functions. 

Birthday Parties: Fancy a birthday party with a wild twist? You can celebrate your special day at the Westport Lake Visitor Centre and take part in a host of exciting outdoor activities, such as a pirate treasure hunt or teddy bear's picnic. 

Educational programmes: There is an education team based at the Westport Lake Visitor Centre who run an engaging environmental education programme for schools in a well-equipped classroom and the surrounding grounds.

Contact:

Tel: 01782 826985

Parking:

There is a free car park next to the visitor centre.

Getting there:

Postcode: ST6 4RZ

By car: The main car park is off Westport Lake Road, Longport, Stoke-on-Trent. Leave the A500 at the Longport, Tunstall slip road (A5271). At the mini roundabout take first exit for Davenport Street, turn left into Westport Lake Road. It is also served by the Westport Greenway and the Trent & Mersey Canal.

By bus: Westport Lake Visitor Centre is a short walk from the bus stops on the A527. The 94/94A and 99/99A both stop every 30 minutes.

By rail: Westport Lake is served by Stoke station, just 5 miles away, while Longport Rail is just 1 mile from the Centre.

By bicycle: We encourage visitors to use environmentally friendly forms of transport wherever possible. Westport Lake Visitor Centre is easily accessible by bicycle, being adjacent to National Route 5. Please visit the National Cycle Network website to plan your route: www.sustrans.org.uk

Wanting to get close to nature?

Why not check out our Nature Reserves! We have 30 Nature Reserves in Staffordshire that are waiting to be explored!

Our nature reserves

Image by kevin Palmer