Lackford Lakes
Lackford Lakes lie beside the River Lark and have been created from former gravel pits. Lackford lakes is a wonderfully diverse reserve with meadows, woodland, reed beds and streams.
A superb site for wildfowl in both winter and summer, Lackford attracts tufted duck, teal, pochard, gadwall, shoveler and goosander. There is a large winter gull roost which can hold as many as 28000 birds. Passing birds of prey include the majestic osprey, whilst buzzard and sparrowhawk can be seen regularly. Tree sparrows are seen year round feeding from bird feeders and specially grown crops on the Reserve.
In the summer months, hobby can be seen in hot pursuit of sand martin, swallows and an array of dragonflies. This is one of the best places in Suffolk for kingfisher, and cormorant are often seen fishing at the sailing lake or roosting in the tall trees by the river. Almost any migrant bird can turn up - black tern are regulars but species like Little Egret and the more uncommon waders are also seen.
This reclaimed site has been quickly colonised by plants. Gipsywort, figwort, common fleabane and purple loosestrife occur by the water’s edge and common centaury and common stork’s-bill and biting stonecrop appear in the drier areas. Encroaching willows need to be kept in check so that the open water, which hosts clouds of blue damselfies, is not lost. The otter has become a frequent visitor here. Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s original 11 hectare reserve at Lackford was donated by Bernard Tickner in 1976. In 2000 RMC donated a further 90 hectares of land to form the Lackford Lakes reserve.
Lackford Lakes Visitor Centre is open from Wed-Sun and bank holidays
10am to 4pm 1st November to 31st March
10am to 5pm 1st April to 31st October
The reserve and hide network are open dawn to dusk every day.
For more information about Lackford Lakes visitor centre Click here
Lackford Lakes now has a facebook page Click here 
Lackford also has a busy education centre Click here
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| Click to download Lackford Lakes leaflet |
Further information for education groups
Please visit the outdoor learning area of the website for information about opportunities for school groups.
Our education pages detail all our environmental education activity.
Special dates for your diaries
Nightingales
April - May
The Nightingales have arrived! the first one was heard near the tree sparrow feeders over the 9th/10th April weekend!
Tree Sparrows
All year
Visit the tree sparrow feeders and the wild bird seed crop to catch a glimpse of these uncommon birds
Dragonflies and Damselflies
May - August
The reserve has recorded up to 17 species of dragonfliy and damselfly
Events & Courses at Lackford Lakes
Volunteering opportunities at Lackford Lakes
Corinne Beaumont
Centre Co-ordinator (sales, centre hire and birthday parties)
01284 728706
lackford.centre@
suffolkwildlifetrust.orgEmma Kerridge
Education Officer (schools, groups, events and activity day bookings)
01284 728706
lackford.education@
suffolkwildlifetrust.orgSite Manager:
Kerry Vaughan 01284 728541
lackford.reserve@
suffolkwildlifetrust.orgReserve assistant:
Giles Cawston 07941631558
giles.cawston@
suffolkwildlifetrust.orgDirections (Google Maps)
- Address
Lackford,Bury St Edmunds,Suffolk
IP28 6HX - Grid reference
TL800706 (car park/reserve entrance) - Parking
At centre car park - Size
316 acres (128 Hectares) - Access
Fully accessible visitor centre with allocated parking and toilet for disabled people. The 1.5km Kingfisher Trail is negotiable by wheelchair, with ramped access to five hides. The new Orchid Hide, reached by a firm 150m path from the car park, offers easy access for all visitors. - Dogs
Sorry no dogs - STAR SPECIES
Kingfisher
Tree sparrow
Nightingale - Status
SSSI - Site of Special Scientific InterestA site of national importance identified by Natural England for its ecological or geological value.
