LOCATION – SWINDON LAGOONS

Swindon Lagoons , Shaw Forest , Swindon , SN5 7ET

Swindon Lagoons is an incredible story of nature’s ability to recover. Until 1985 the lagoons stored waste by-products of Thames Water’s sewage treatment works. Thames Water cleared them out, they were planted with reeds, and wildlife has flooded back under the management of the Wiltshire wildlife Trust

The reserve lies behind a security fence and visits are limited to guided tours and open days. Book one and enjoy your walk around the 15 lagoons, reed beds, grassland, marshland and stretch of River Ray. Whilst it’s not the most accessible site , make the effort because it is a special site and worth visiting.

The site can be seen from the viewing platform on the cycle path. In summer follow paths cut through rough grass to see dragonflies like the common darter and emperor. Grass snakes and slow worms will sunbathe on a warm day. Watch sand martins, swallows and reed buntings hunt for insects over the water. In winter see if you can spot shoveler duck, little egret and tufted duck on the water while snipe and sandpipers probe the mud for insects. Look out for tennis ball-sized knots of woven grasses at the tops of long grass – the nests of harvest mice.

Great crested newts, frogs and toads are found in most lagoons. You might even see an otter or water vole in the river. Visit in the evenings and you could spot roe deer, foxes, badgers and bats – the tiny pipistrelle, Daubenton’s and serotin. Volunteers ensure that open water doesn’t turn into woodland through a buildup of vegetation and that all habitats are maintained in balance.

Good to know

This reserve is not open to the public. Access to the site is via prior appointment only. If you’ve booked to visit: Park on Barnfield Road or in Shaw Forest car park. Then follow National Cycle Route 45 to the reserve.

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