Lackford Lakes Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre

view of long reach from Bess's hide

Mike Andrews

Lackford Lakes nature reserve Suffolk Wildlife Trust
A panoramic view over Lackford Lakes in Suffolk, with trees relfected in the water and wildfowl on the lake's surface.
View from Double Decker viewpoint at Lackford Lakes

View from Double Decker viewpoint at Lackford Lakes

Lackford Lakes nature reserve Suffolk Wildlife Trust

By Steve Aylward

A wildlife oasis of lakes, reedbed, meadow and woodland near Bury St Edmunds. Experience nature all year-round from iridescent kingfisher and dazzling dragonflies, to colourful ducks and precious wildflowers.

Location

Lackford Lakes
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk
IP28 6HX

OS Map Reference

TL 801706

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A static map of Lackford Lakes Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre

Know before you go

Size
161 hectares
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Entry fee

Suggested donation £3 (charges apply for school visits)
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Bicycle parking

Yes
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Grazing animals

Sheep grazing all your round and cattle grazing seasonally
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Walking trails

Download the trail map 

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Access

The blue Kingfisher Trail is wheelchair-friendly and our visitor centre has a disabled toilet. Parts of the reserve are also accessible by mobility scooter.

By bus: from Bury St Edmunds, join services 12 and 355 to Lackford village.

Dogs

image/svg+xmlNo dogs permitted

Other dogs on a lead permitted on red trail only.

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Facilities

Visitor centre
Bird hides
Toilets
Shop
Cafe/refreshments
Picnic area
Accessible toilet
Baby changing facilities
Outdoor play area
Electric car charging point
Wifi
Disabled parking
Accessible trails

When to visit

Opening times

Visitor Centre 10am - 5pm (cafe open til 4pm)
Car park 9am - 5pm
Nature reserve open dawn til dusk

Best time to visit

All year round

About the reserve

Listen to the sound of singing birds in spring with the arrival of nightingales and warblers from Africa. The first bees and butterflies start to make appearances on bright spring days.  Later in summer, the reserve is alive with damselflies and dragonflies. Swallows and martins sweep over the water's surface feeding on small flies. The lakesides are busy with nesting great-crested grebe, kingfisher, tufted duck and water rail. Bright stems of purple-loosestrife, common fleabane and gipsywort create colour at the water's edge.        Gold and red colours mark the coming of autumn with the arrival of a wide range of wildfowl. Birds including shoveler, lapwing, goosander, bittern and goldeneye depend on the lakes during the winter months.    

Open seven days a week, there is always someone in the visitor centre to help you plan your visit, identify anything you've spotted or chat to you about the work we do and how you can support us.

The coffee shop sells barista coffee and a range of snacks including toasties, soup, scones, local ice creams and delicious locally-made cakes.  Vegan and Gluten-free options are available, chat to the team to find out more.

Environmental designation

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Upcoming events

Wildlife update – 30th May 2025

As we head into the summer months at Lackford Lakes, the mixture of wildlife is what makes things exciting from water birds to butterflies and dragonflies.

On the lakes look out for great white egrets, little egret, great crested grebe (some with young), tufted duck, shelduck, gadwall, lapwing and the occasional kingfisher.

Around the lake edges, look out for various warblers like reed warbler busy hunting for food to feed their young.  These areas are also good for looking for dragonflies like four-spotted chaser and the brown hawker.  Clouds of damselflies can also be seen at these locations too.

As you wonder around the paths, listen out for lots of small birds in family groups.  In the last few weeks many long-tailed tits, blue tit and great spotted woodpeckers have now left their nests and these can be heard calling to each other in the shrubs and trees by the tails.  The plants around the edges of paths are also great places to look for lots of various insects like ladybirds and hoverflies. 

Bird hide, the wildlife trusts

Paul Harris/2020VISION

Activities & binocular hire

Hire our discovery pack - £6
Packed with ideas and kit to get you out closer to nature, all in our handy carry bag.

Seasonal spotter sheet - £2
Look out for seasonal visitors and resident wildlife that call Lackford home.

Binocular hire - £4
Get a closer look at Lackford's wildlife. Different sizes available for big or small hands.

Green Snape Community Group visiting Martlesham Wilds. Image credit: Lesley Walduck

Green Snape Community Group visiting Martlesham Wilds. Image credit: Lesley Walduck

Group visits

We welcome groups of all sizes at Lackford Lakes and can provide guided walks, introductory walks and refreshments. If you are looking to arrange a group visit, please email us and we will help you get the most from your visit:

lackford.centre@suffolkwildlifetrust.org
A kingfisher plunges down towards the water, its bright turquoise and orange colours glowing in the sunlight

Kingfisher © Malcolm Brown

Become a member

The support of our members helps us care for wildlife-rich landscapes such as Lackford Lakes. Join today, or renew your membership, and help protect and restore Suffolk's wildlife and wild places.

Join us today

Explore Lackford Lakes from the air