Lackford Lakes by Mark Gosbee

Lackford Lakes nature reserve Suffolk Wildlife Trust

By Steve Aylward

Lackford Lakes visitor centre Suffolk Wildlife Trust

By Steve Aylward

Lackford Lakes Nature Reserve

The reserve is open daily from 8am to 5pm.

Shop, cafe and toilets available 10am to 3:30pm.

Paul's, Bess', Bernard's and Steggall's hides now open.

Lackford Lakes is a wildlife oasis with a landscape of lakes, reeds, meadow and woodland. There is wildlife in close-up all year round with iridescent kingfisher, dazzling dragonflies and colourful ducks.

Location

Lackford Lakes

Bury St Edmunds

Suffolk

IP28 6HX

OS Map Reference

TL 801706

Reserve is about ten minutes from Bury St Edmunds on the A1101, Bury to Mildenhall road.

Know before you go

Size

161 hectares

Entry fee

Lackford Lakes is free to visit, however if you wish to support our work on the nature reserve, please consider making a donation or becoming a member of Suffolk Wildlife Trust.

Bicycle parking

Yes

Walking trails

Very good, mostly surfaced paths.

Trail map

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 four hides.
Parts of this reserve are accessible by mobility scooter.

The Winter Hide, reached by a firm 150m path from the car park, offers easy access for all visitors.

Dogs

Guide dogs only

Dogs are not permitted in the visitor centre or on the blue Trail near the lakes or hides except for assistance dogs. However, dogs on leads are allowed on Sayer's Breck path and Church Walk.

Facilities

Visitor centre

Bird hides

Toilets

Shop

Cafe/refreshments

Picnic area

Disabled toilet

Baby changing facilities

Outdoor play area

When to visit

Opening times

Reserve and car park open daily 8am - 5pm (temporary restriction).

Toilets open 10am to 3:30pm

Takeaway catering between 10am and 3:30pm.

Shop open between 10am and 3.30pm.

Paul's, Bess's and Steggall's hides are currently open

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.

The visitor centre and café is open 7 days a week and sells hot and cold drinks, pre-packed sandwiches, hot and cold savouries, ice cream, lollies and a variety of cakes and snacks, some of which are gluten free.

Species

Habitat

Contact us

Lackford Lakes

Contact number: Visitor Centre and Learning Officer 01284 728706

Contact email: lackford.centre@suffolkwildlifetrust.org

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Environmental designation

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Location map

Spotter sheets

Why not start your day out with us by downloading and printing our trail and spotter sheets below!

Bird spotter sheet

Group visits

If you are visiting as a group, please contact us on 01284 728706 in advance to check availability. Guided walks may be available if requested at the time of booking.