Jesse Walker
Simply C Photography
Four-spotted chaser
Garden warbler by Mike Andrews
Nathan Greening
Lackford Lakes Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre
Location
OS Map Reference
TL 801706View on What3Words
Know before you go
Dogs
Dogs on a short lead are only permitted on the red Sayer's Breck path.
Please note only assistance dogs are permitted in the café. Lead hooks are available on the outside of the building.
When to visit
Opening times
Visitor Centre 10am - 4.30pm (café 10am - 4pm)Car park 9am - 5pm
Nature Reserve open dawn to dusk, access via Church walk
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 café 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
Young Wardens at Lackford Lakes
Lackford Lakes Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre,
Bury St Edmunds , Suffolk
Workshop: Summer willow basket
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
Workshop: Introduction to wildlife photography
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
Wildlife update - 31st May 2026
This past week, it has been the dragonflies and damselflies that have been amazing. During this hot sunny spell, they have emerged in numbers throughout the reserve. Some of the specials to look out for include lesser emperor, Norfolk Hawker and red-veined darter.
Here is the list of dragonflies and damselflies on the wing right now at Lackford:
• emperor
• lesser emperor
• Norfolk hawker
• brown hawker
• four-spotted chaser
• black-tailed skimmer
• scarce chaser
• red-veined darter
• common blue damselfly
• red-eyed damselfly
• Banded demoiselle
As you wander around the reserve look out too for butterflies too like painted lady, red admiral, small heath, brown argus and speckled wood.
Bird wise, many are now busy sitting on eggs and feeding young. Look out for the warblers such as lesser whitethroat, common terns, great crested grebes, lapwing, oystercatcher, hobby, red kite and swifts.
In the centre you watch our live cameras on two of our swift boxes. They have laid three eggs in both of our boxes in the last week.
The summer months are great time of year to visit Lackford Lakes for butterflies and dragonflies. Please let us know what you see during your next visit by filling in the sightings book in the centre.
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.
John Ferguson
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.