Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve

Swanwick Lakes has become one of the Trust’s most popular nature reserves. Much of the reserve is woodland and comes alive with bird song in the spring. Swanwick Lakes is managed in partnership with NATS.

Location

Sopwith Way

Swanwick

Hampshire

SO31 7AY

OS Map Reference

SU 507 099

Know before you go

Size

35 hectares

Entry fee

Donations welcome

Parking information

Parking available, but the car park closes at dusk. No parking on Sopwith Way.

Bicycle parking

At the Education Centre. But, no cycle routes on site.

Grazing animals

Our sites are grazed all year by livestock. Please follow the signage on site.

Walking trails

Waymarked trails, mostly flat, compacted gravel. Other paths off these trails are unsurfaced and often wet and muddy.

One steep slope through meadow at New Hill and one that divides the reserve. Sloping paths for maximum of 40m on blue and red trails.

Access

The reserve is located just off Swanwick Lane in Swanwick, about 2 miles from Bursledon and 7 miles from Fareham.

Car: Exit the M27 at junction 8 or 9. From junction 8, follow signs to the A3024, Southampton and Hamble and then the A27 to Park Gate. At the traffic lights by ‘The Navigator' pub turn left onto Swanwick Lane. Continue over the motorway then turn left onto Sopwith Way. Turn right at the mini roundabout by the security gates. From junction 9, follow the signs for A27 Southampton until you reach Park Gate. Take the road signposted Botley. At the Elm Tree pub turn left onto Swanwick Lane. After about a mile, turn right onto Sopwith Way. Turn right at the mini roundabout by the security gates. The barrier to the car park is open only in daylight hours and is operated by NATS.

Public transport: The reserve is about 30 minutes walk from Swanwick station. From the station: Turn right at the end of the access road then continue to the Elm Tree Pub where you turn left onto Swanwick Lane then continue as above. The First bus company run a number of services stopping at either end of Swanwick Lane

Facilities: The Education Centre has toilets; however, they may not always be available for public use.

Contact the Trust for disabled access information.

Dogs

On a lead

Dogs are sometimes required to be on a lead if schools groups are visiting the site. Please follow temporary signage on the day of your visit.

When to visit

Opening times

Open access to majority of the nature reserve. The Education Centre is open for schools and organised groups but closed when not in use. Please note: the toilets are closed when the Education Centre is closed

Best time to visit

Summer: butterflies and dragonflies can be seen all over the site. The meadows are in full flower. Spring: breeding birds and a great dawn chorus. Bluebells carpet parts of the woodland. Winter: frosty mornings. Autumn: leaf colours, fungi spotting

About the reserve

Swanwick Lakes, once a clay pit for a local brick works, is now a beautiful oasis for nature in an otherwise urban area. A mixture of woodland, lakes and meadows attracts a large array of species.

The majority of the site is woodland, and during the spring it comes alive with bird song and woodpecker drumming as a multiplicity of birds settle down to nest. Rare species such as marsh tits also thrive at this reserve.

Come summer the meadows are in full bloom; they hum and buzz with thousands of insects. North East Meadow is adorned with orchids and knapweed, as well as marbled white, meadow brown and gatekeeper butterflies. In the woodlands elusive white admiral, purple emperor and silver-washed fritillary butterflies flit between the trees.

The lakes and ponds around the site are prime locations for dragonflies and damselflies, including unusual species such as the downy emerald.

The site has an excellent educational facility where children can come and learn about the natural environment, and a number of public events happen throughout the year. Find out more information about Swanwick Lakes Education Centre.

Download the trail guide

Seasonal Highlights:

During spring, enjoy the sweet scent of bluebell as you walk through the woodland.
In summer, orchids and knapweed adorn the North East Meadow, along with marbled white, meadow brown and gatekeeper butterflies.
In autumn find wild fungi and look for a ‘charm’ of goldfinch feasting on the energy-packed seeds of teasels and thistles.