Lackford Lakes – Suffolk Wildlife Trust

Address: Lackford Lakes, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP28 6HX

Parking: Ample and free

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Accessibility: Summer Green, Winter Amber – Some of the paths have become a bit muddy & slimy

Entrance: Free – but voluntary donation of £3 gently requested

Lackford Lakes is as it’s name suggests a stunning series of lakes managed by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, just outside Bury St Edmunds.

Originally the site of a quarry, when the project was finished the land was all donated to the Suffolk Wildlife Trust by the landowners. The lakes are designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to the sheer volume and variety of wildlife found here.

We visited on a cold winter’s Saturday, expecting it to be cold and quiet, without masses of wildlife to see – very much how we found RSPB Lakenheath Fen a few weeks before, however this couldn’t be further from the truth. The site was busy with visitors, although not to a level to spoil the experience. And the lakes were very busy when it came to birds and ducks with lots to see and enjoy.

There are a variety of trails around the site of varying lengths – most are around the mile duration. It is very easy to merge multiple trails if you are after a longer walk. And there is plenty to see.

The reserve is renowned for its rich and varied wildlife throughout the year:

• Birds: kingfishers, great-crested grebes, lapwings, gadwalls, shovelers, goosanders, warblers and wintering wildfowl frequent the lakes at different times of the year along with many more commonly seen species too
• Insects: dragonflies and damselflies are very much there to be seen in summer.
• Other species: occasional sightings of otters, small mammals as well as a diverse selection of butterflies.

Opening Times

The reserve is open daily from 10am – 4pm. There is always someone around to help greet you and plan your visit in the visitor centre which includes a nice cafe as well as ample clean and tidy toilet facilities. The map of the site is straight in front of you as you enter the site from the car park. The Suffolk Wildlife Trust also helpfully provide printed maps for you if you want to plan your walk. All trails are well marked throughout the reserve so the chances of getting lost are very limited.