Swanwick Lakes
Seasonal update
The Swanwick Team would like to wish everyone a very happy New Year! We arrived back to a very windy Swanwick Lakes last week. There have been a lot of damaged and fallen trees to clear up but thanks to our hard working volunteer team, we are now getting on top of the extra work. We have recently been lucky enough to spot bramblings and fieldfares around the reserve, a sure sign of the season.
Hibernating red admiral butterflies have been spotted in a tree which was due to be felled. The tree has been left to allow these hardy butterflies to pass the winter in peace.
Our camera equipped bird box has been active again recently, providing shelter for a weather-beaten great tit. We are hoping that a pair of great tits will choose to nest there in the spring.
For more regular updates on what's happening at Swanwick Lakes visit our Wildlife News section.
Swanwick Lakes is an almost entirely man-made landscape. This former clay extraction site is owned by NATS and managed for wildlife and education by the Wildlife Trust. The reserve extends to around 80 acres and is designated as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC).
Click here for more on wildlife and landscape features.
How to get there
The reserve is located just off Swanwick Lane in Swanwick, about 2 miles from Bursledon and 7 miles from Fareham. We are easily accessible via the M27 from the surrounding urban areas of Southampton, Gosport and Portsmouth. View a map.
By car:
Swanwick Lakes is easily accessible from the M27 junction 8 or 9.
From M27 junction 8 follow signs to A3024 Southampton and Hamble and then Park Gate A27. At the traffic lights by ‘The Spinnaker' 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 Southampton A27 until you reach Park Gate. Take the road sign posted 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.
By train:
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.
By bus:
First bus company run a number of services along Swanwick Lane. Visit their website for details.
Getting around
The Reserve is open from dawn to dusk every day with open access to the majority of the site. You will find:
- a network of surfaced paths
- 3 waymarked trails of varying lengths
- informal unsurfaced paths to explore through the woods, round the lakes and over the hill
- frequent benches, fantastic viewpoints
- a reserve leaflet including a trail guide is available
Download a copy of the reserve leaflet.
Contact information
Call 01489 570240 or email dawnp@hwt.org.uk
There are two full-time members of staff on site and a well-equipped study centre which is extensively used by schools and community groups. Download a copy of Swanwick Toddlers events for spring/summer 2012 here
Find your way there by SatNav
Our reserve descriptions include maps and information on how to get there. To make things even easier, we have set up POIs (Points of Interest) for some of our larger reserves, which you can download into a satnav.
Download to your computer, the files which contain the POI definitions for Garmin and TomTom satnavs and the small logo which will show where the reserve is. To download these files, right click on the links above and choose Save Target As ... (or similar).
You will need to consult the satnav manual to find out how to load the POIs (HIWWT_reserves.ov2 for TomToms or HIWWT_reserves.csv for Garmins) and the logo (HIWWT_reserves.bmp) onto the satnav device.
Upcoming events
04/02/12 Tree planting at Westwood - Westwood
07/02/12 Swanwick Toddlers – Oscar and the Moth - Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve
Oscar is a curious kitten who is full of questions about light and dark
16/02/12 Wild Camp - Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve
Enjoy a day outdoors at Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve learning some useful bushcraft skills
16/02/12 Nest boxes - Swanwick Lakes Reserve
03/03/12 Bird watching, a trip out!! - Swanwick Lakes Reserve
06/03/12 Swanwick Toddlers – Oscar and the Frog - Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve
Oscar is a kitten who goes to the pond, where Frog tells him all about how things grow
15/03/12 Early evening bug hunt - Swanwick Lakes Reserve
03/04/12 Spring Story and Poetry Trail - Swanwick Lakes
Come for a wander at Swanwick Lakes and help us write stories and poems about our beautiful reserve in spring
14/04/12 Dawn Chorus Walk and Breakfast - Swanwick Lakes
Join reserve staff for a guided walk around Swanwick Lakes to hear the glorious sounds of the dawn chorus. The walk will be followed by bacon/egg sandwiches and tea and coffee. For further details and to book your place, please contact Dawn Preston or Jess Daish-Miller on 01489 570240. Suggested donation £6 per person including breakfast. Please wear outdoor clothing and sturdy shoes or boots, and please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements. Booking is essential.
