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

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.

Lackford Lakes has a fully accessible visitor centre and café with views of the reserve, open 7 days a week.

Please be aware there is limited access for dogs around Sayers Breck, with no access to the lakes or hides. Only assistance dogs are allowed in the centre and around the reserve.

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.

View 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.

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

Parts of this reserve are accessible by mobility scooter.

Please note - Bernard’s Hide is a short stay hide
We ask visitors to spend a short while in this popular hide.
Stays are for a maximum of 1 hour with no return for 1 hour.
Quick-view seating provides short waiting times to ensure all visitors have the chance to enjoy wildlife from this hide.

Dogs

Guide dogs only

Dogs are not permitted in the visitor centre or on the Kingfisher 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

Visitor Centre : Open 7 days a week 10am to 5pm. Refreshments available 10am to 4:30pm

Reserve open from dawn until 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.

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

See Reserve's Twitter

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Environmental designation

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Our seasonal trails!

Summer is a great time to look for butterflies at Lackford Lakes. Almost half of the butterflies recorded in the UK have been seen here. Follow the blue trail to find out some facts about butterflies.

For a suggested donation of £3 visitors can borrow a pair of binoculars. For a small donation children can try the spotter sheet.

Just head inside when you arrive to find out more!

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.