Blashford Lakes
Monthly update
Read about the new Blashford Lakes Mobility Buggies. The Blashford Trampers allow the less mobile to get around the site more easily and enjoy everything that Blashford has to offer.
Download a copy of our Winter Newsletter.
For more regular updates on what's happening at Blashford Lakes visit our Wildlife News section, or the Blashford Blog.
The Site
Blashford Lakes is a series of former gravel pits surrounded by grassland and willow, birch and alder woodland. The Dockens Water stream flows through the reserve and is bounded by ancient woodland of Oak and Beech.
Click here for more on wildlife and landscape features.
How to get there
Blashford Lakes is 2 miles north of Ringwood on the A338, turn right (east) onto Ellingham Drove, the reserve entrance is after 500 yards with main car park to the left and Education Centre to the right. Main car park is at SU151083, Education Centre is at SU151079, postcode BH24 3PJ. View a map.
Public transport:
Bus, the X3 Bournemouth-Salisbury service stops at Ellingham Cross 500yds west of the main reserve entrance.
Getting around
The main paths are all rolled gravel with shallow gradients. At access points the kissing gates have RADAR keys for wider opening to allow passage of wheelchairs and buggies. A key can be borrowed from the Education Centre by arrangement. There are disability buggies available to borrow - to book, call 01425 472 760.
Opening times:
Open from 09:00 to 16:30 daily apart from Christmas day. During these hours the car park, all bird hides and Centre building with toilets are open. Outside these hours the paths are accessible but there is no vehicle access.
Information:
There are blackboards with recent sightings in the car park, at the Education Centre and in several of the bird hides. Also check latest reserve news. Leaflets, including a site map are available at the main car park, in the hides and at the Education Centre. Download a copy of the new reserve leaflet.
Contact information
Call 01425 472760 or 07917 616695
Upcoming events
16/03/10 Great Bustards from Russia - Blashford Study Centre (Map ref. SU 151 078).
Tracey Williams from RSPB will talk about this project and her recent trip to Russia
21/03/10 Willow Wildlife Sculptures - COURSE FULL - Blashford Lakes (Map ref. SU 151 079).
A willow sculpture workshop for adults - make giant insects to take home
21/03/10 Stick Insects - Blashford Lakes (Map ref. SU 151 079).
Join us for some wonderful family wildlife and craft activity fun for all ages and abilities. Accompany the Blashford Lakes Education Officer on a mini-beast hunt around the reserve
02/04/10 Easter Nature Trail - Blashford Lakes Centre (Map ref. SU 151 079).
Discover spring wildlife on a family trail around Blashford Lakes and earn yourself some fair trade chocolate for Easter!
13/04/10 Pondemonium - Blashford Lakes (Map ref. SU 151 079)
A Playday for 8-12 year-olds. Discover the weird and wonderful denizens of the deep on a pond and river exploration
14/04/10 Pondemonium - Blashford Lakes (Map ref. SU 151 079)
A Playday for 5-7 year-olds. Discover the weird and wonderful denizens of the deep on a pond and river exploration
20/04/10 Members’ Evening - Blashford Study Centre (Map ref. SU 151 078).
A chance to bring slides, pictures, specimens or questions. We will hold a very short AGM at the beginning
21/04/10 Mini Beasts - Net a Newt! - Blashford Lakes Centre (Map ref. SU 151 079)
A session of pond dipping, games and activities for pre-school children and their parents or carers.
25/04/10 Dawn Chorus - Blashford Lakes Centre (Map ref. SU 151 079)
Enjoy the dawn chorus and savour the early morning mist over Blashford Lakes
14/05/10 National Moth Night - Blashford Lakes Centre (Map ref. SU 151 079)
Take part in the country's biggest moth event by joining us at Blashford Lakes where we will be running several traps and painting the fences with Bob's secret moth attracting gloop.
15/05/10 Marvellous Moths - Blashford Lakes Centre (Map ref. SU 151 079).
Join Reserves Officer Bob Chapman as he goes through the moth trap run as part of the National Moth night events on the 14th May
22/05/10 Birds at Blashford - Blashford Study Centre (Map ref. SU 151 078)
Led by Steve Harrington at Blashford Study Centre
31/05/10 Run River Run! - Blashford Lakes Centre (Map ref. SU 151 079).
Bring your wellies for a splash in the Dockens Water river and discover the fish and other wildlife that live there
