Mike Andrews
View from Double Decker viewpoint at Lackford Lakes
By Steve Aylward
Lackford Lakes Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre
Location
OS Map Reference
TL 801706View on What3Words
Know before you go
Dogs
Dogs on a lead are only permitted on the red Sayers Breck path.
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 roundAbout 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.
Contact us
Environmental designation
What's On at Lackford Lakes
Wild Tots at Lackford Lakes
Lackford Lakes Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre,
Bury St Edmunds , Suffolk
Workshop: Summer photography at Lackford Lakes
Lackford Lakes Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre,
Bury St Edmunds , Suffolk
Connect: For adults with a learning disability
Lackford Lakes Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre,
Bury St Edmunds , Suffolk
Wild Tots at Lackford Lakes
Lackford Lakes Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre,
Bury St Edmunds , Suffolk
Nighttime at Lackford Lakes: Biofluorescence walk
Lackford Lakes Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre,
Bury St Edmunds , Suffolk
Workshop: Autumn basket willow weaving
Lackford Lakes Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre,
Bury St Edmunds , Suffolk
Wild Tots at Lackford Lakes
Lackford Lakes Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre,
Bury St Edmunds , Suffolk
Connect: For adults with a learning disability
Lackford Lakes Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre,
Bury St Edmunds , SuffolkWildlife update – 29th June 2025
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, common tern, 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, black-tailed skimmer, emperor dragonfly 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.
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
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:
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.