Mike Andrews
Lapwing by John Langford
Brimstone butterfly by 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
Assistance dogs only on all trails except on the Sayer's Breck trail where all dogs are permitted. All dogs must be kep on leads at all times to protect the wildlife and delicate habitats.
When to visit
Opening times
Weekdays 8am - 5pmWeekends 9am - 5pm
Visitor Centre 10am - 5pm (cafe closes at 4pm)
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.
The visitor centre, shop and café are open 7 days a week. There's always someone in the 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 cafe sells hot and cold drinks, a range of toasted ciabattas and sausage rolls as well as delicious local cakes from Sponge, ice cream from Saffron and Lickety Ices and crisps from award winning Two Farmers.
We have a range of items for different dietary requirements and preferrences, chat to the team to find out more.
Contact us
Upcoming events
Wild Tots at Lackford Lakes
Lackford Lakes Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre,
Bury St Edmunds , Suffolk
Wild Walk: Bird I.D with Paul Holness
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
Binocular Demo Day with Viking Optics
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
Wild Walk: Bird I.D with Paul Holness
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
Young Wardens at Lackford Lakes
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
Wild Walk: Bird I.D with Paul Holness
Lackford Lakes Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre,
Bury St Edmunds , Suffolk
Christmas Willow Wreath Workshop
Lackford Lakes Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre,
Bury St Edmunds , Suffolk
Christmas Grotto at Lackford Lakes
Lackford Lakes Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre,
Bury St Edmunds , SuffolkWildlife update – November
We are now into late Autumn at the lakes. The trees are beginning to change colour and birds have been arriving to spend the winter here.
In the last few weeks, there has been the arrival of good numbers of siskin to the reserve. There appears to be two main groups - one by the centre / sailing lake and the other next to Hawker pool.
There was a surprise visit by a young spoonbill, that turned up on Sunday 3rd November and was last seen on Wednesday 6th November. It could still be around as spoonbills like sleeping out of view.
Ducks numbers have also been increasing as they arrive to spend the winter at the lates. They currently seem to prefer the sailing lake, the slough and long reach - look out for shoveler, tufted duck, pochard, teal, gadwall and wigeon.
Small birds are now feeding in groups by our trails so it is worth having a check as these birds pass you. Look out for goldcrest, long tailed tit and there is still a few chiffchaff around too.
Other birds to look out for during a visit to the lakes this November include snipe, little egret and great white egret.
Please let us know what you have seen during a visit to Lackford Lakes, by filling in our 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.
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.