Testwood Lakes
Testwood Lakes is a 150 acre site owned by Southern Water and managed by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. The reserve is an assortment of grassland, wet woodland, hedgerow and lake environments.
Click here for more on wildlife and landscape features.
How to get there
Testwood Lakes is situated 1½ miles from the centre of Totton. It forms part of the Test Valley - An area of international importance for wildlife. Download a map.
By car: From the M27 junction 2, take the A326 Fawley/Totton road and take the first exit, signposted Totton (A36). At the first roundabout, turn left into Brunel Road. Testwood lakes is situated 300m down on the left hand side.
Download the reserves leaflet.
Getting around
Pedestrian access: available from Hill Street, Brunel Road and the public footpath running from Salisbury Road (A36) to Mill Lane. After periods of heavy rain, some pathways may become flooded.
Rail: Totton station is 1½ miles from the reserve, with trains running there every hour from Southampton.
Bus: Bluestar No. 12 runs every half hour, Monday to Saturday and every hour on Sundays from Southampton calling at Testwood Crescent which is ½ mile from the reserve. Wilts & Dorset X7 runs hourly Monday to Saturday from Southampton to Testwood Crescent.
Parking: the car park is open every day from 8am to 6pm in the summer and from 8am to 4pm during the winter. The bird hides are open from 10am to 4pm.
Contact Information
For Centre staff, call on 02380 667929.
For all reserve issues, contact the reserve officer on 02380 424206.
Upcoming events
20/03/10 Techniques for Sketching Birds - COURSE FULL - Testwood Lakes (Map ref. SU 344 155).
A one day workshop with Sarah Morrish practising drawing skills associated with sketching birds and applying basic watercolour and gouache washes
21/03/10 Springtime Stroll - Testwood Lakes Centre (Map ref. SU 348 158)
A family discovery walk at Testwood Lakes Wildlife Reserve. Join Education Assistant Helen Durant for a stroll through the woods and fields
27/03/10 Green Woodworking - COURSE FULL - Testwood Lakes (Map ref. SU 344 155).
An opportunity to discover the art of green woodworking. Learn how to use a froe, saws and draw knives.
07/04/10 Nature Quest - Testwood Lakes (Map ref. SU 348 158).
Take part any time during the session - why not compete as a family? Find the nature quest clues around Testwood Lakes Wildlife Reserve and return victorious to the Testwood Lakes Centre when you have all the answers
08/04/10 A Puzzle in the Pond - Testwood Lakes Centre (Map ref. SU 348 158).
Untangle your nets and knots at Testwood Lakes Centre. A chance to go pond dipping and see if you can unravel our giant food web.
13/04/10 Winter Waddlers Toddler Club at Testwood Lakes - Teeny Tiny Tadpole - Testwood Lakes (Map ref. SU 348 158)
Your chance to meet the creatures in our pond at Testwood Lakes with Education Assistant Helen Durant
15/04/10 Mouse Hotels at Testwood Lakes - Testwood Lakes Centre (Map ref. SU 348 158)
Help us find out which mammals are living in the hedgerows at Testwood Lakes.
18/04/10 HARG Open Day and Recording Workshop - Testwood Lakes
Join the Hampshire Amphibian and Reptile Group committee for an interesting workshop about amphibian and reptile recording.
04/05/10 Spring Wildflower Walk at Testwood Lakes - Testwood Lakes Centre (Map ref. SU 348 158).
Join Reserves Officer Clare Bishop for a stroll around Testwood Lakes to look at the wild flowers on the reserve in spring time
This cross-curricular workshop for key stages 2 and 3 uses making musical instruments from fruit, vegetables and other natural materials as the focus for exploring music, the physics of sound, plant biology and the environment.
11/05/10 Summer Splashers Toddler Club - The Very Hungry Caterpillar - Testwood Lakes Centre (Map ref. SU 348 158).
Join in the fun at Testwood Toddlers Club for activities and games based around this familiar story.
19/05/10 River Test Wildlife Walk - Testwood Lakes Centre (Map ref. SU 348 158).
Join Testwood Lakes Volunteer, Les Stride for a walk around the best of Testwood Lakes and Lower Test Marshes Wildlife Reserve following a circular route for four miles
