Swanwick Lakes Centre and Reserve
What will I find?
Flooded clay pits, woodland and meadow provide a mixture of habitats for wildlife on this 89 acre former clay extraction site for Bursledon Brickworks.
Clay has been extracted in the area since the late 19th century with the first pit being dug on the reserve site in 1948. Extraction finished in 1974, since when woodland has developed over much of the reserve. New Hill was created using spoil from the site and sown with meadow seed mix. Centre Lake has been zoned to make it more accessible for wildlife and a variety of insects and birds can be seen there
Swanwick Lakes has been managed as a wildlife reserve by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust since 1991 with funding from site owners NATS.
How will I get around?
The reserve is an ideal place to explore, walk and relax. There are 3 circular routes you can follow; pick up a leaflet and plot your own route or just explore this special place.
Most of the paths are surfaced and have benches every 200m or less. There are slopes (10-20% for up to 50m into the pits but the paths are flat elsewhere.
For further information about Swanwick Lakes, how to get around and a map of the reserve, view the Swanwick Lakes leaflet (900 KB).
Things to look out for…
- Listen out for the laughing call of green woodpeckers.
- Cuckoos, blackcap and nightingale can also be heard singing in the woods.
- Watch out for little grebe and heron on the lake by the Centre.
- Orchids abound late in the summer.
- Pipistrelle and Noctule bats flying over the lakes and trees at dusk.
Visit our wildlife news page for recent sightings and news.
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How do I get there?
Swanwick Lakes is 89 acres of lakes, woodlands and meadows between Southampton and Fareham
- Trains from Southampton/Fareham run to Swanwick twice every hour. From the station head north for around 900m before turning left by the pub onto Swanwick Lane. Continue for around 800m before turning right opposite the brown tourist sign onto Sopwith Way.
- The First bus company offer a number of services that pass the end of Swanwick Lake. Visit their website for details.
- The site is easily accessed from the M27; exit at junction 8 and continue west on the A27. Turn left at the traffic lights onto Swanwick Lane, continue over the motorway and then left again onto Sopwith Way.
The reserve is reached by turning right at the mini roundabout on Sopwith Way just before the security barrier for NATS.
Here is a map of Swanwick Lakes(external link).
The Centre
Swanwick Lakes Centre is open to the public on Sunday afternoons from 2-5pm. There are children's crafts, wildlife information, tea and coffee plus the chance to visit our bird viewing area. We are still actively seeking to recruit volunteers to help with Sunday openings. If anyone is interested please contact Jo Trotter.
The reserve offers a well appointed Centre that’s an excellent starting point for exploring the history and wildlife of the site. Here are details of our education programme. A pre-visit Information Pack for teachers is also available. In addition to working with visiting schools, youth groups and adult special interest groups, staff provide a busy programme of public guided walks and events. Wildlife Watch meetings are also held at the centre once a month. Please visit our Wildlife Watch page for information about the Swanwick Watch group or click here to visit the national Wildlife Watch page.
Would you like more information?
More information on access around the reserve is available from our main office on 01489 774400.
More information about Swanwick Lakes and our other reserves is available from our Wildlife & Wild places Reserves Guide, priced at £6.99 or free to members who pay by direct debit.
To purchase your copy or to become a member, contact us on 01489 774400 or complete and return a membership form.
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