Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve

Nice trails to walk around, alone or with family/dogs.

Not necessarily for those who look for manicured grass slopes or picture perfect lakes. It's more on the lines of 'untamed' foliage (as would any Natural Reserve) surrounding water bodies. Good for spotting birds, wild berries and 'in being one with nature'.

Educative and helpful visitor centre too with information leaflets on upcoming programmes and how to engage kids.

This is a fantastic place to take a walk, relax in a nice quiet environment or learn something new.

The lakes are beautiful and full of natures little treats.

I have only seen it in the winter so can wait for the summer sun and summer nature to come alive.

Car parking is free and it's a must see in the local area

It’s a great place for a walk and to watch the local wildlife. Staff are always welcoming and ready to answer any questions you may have. There is a main lake by the log cabin which is a study centre this can only be booked and used by schools etc.

There are other lakes to walk around with plenty of wildlife on and above them. They do ask you not to feed the duck and other wildlife.

It’s free which is great and the heads up there are no toilets or refreshments available on site.

Worth a visit if you are in the area keep an eye out for the king fishers and local heron.

Parking was full so had to park on main road away from the nature reserve. Easy walking unless you go down to the fishing platforms. Some of the steps are worn away in places. But a nice place to walk round with 3 coloured routes to follow. Lots of fungi to be spotted. The one like Fried eggs was one I had not spotted before. The golden hornet crab apple tree near one of the fishing platform steps was unusual. One cow spotted in the grazing enclosure. Nice walk was had by our adult party.

Lovely and tranquil. However, useful feedback...
1. The coloured routes shown on the leaflet were not well signed. We got lost, but then that was quite enjoyable!
2. The toilets - indicated on the website - were closed. My wife went to go through the door and a member of staff who saw her coming presumably, locked the door.
3. Appreciate that dogs on leads are allowed and, also, plenty of benches around the site

I’m reluctant about writing a review on Swanwick Lakes as it’s my local ‘quiet and special place’ for walking the dog 🐶. The lake’s themselves were ‘created’ when the clay was extracted for the local brickworks. This is now a museum, close by, with a cafe. Limited parking but no toilets or cafe. Please keep it a secret.

Lovely walk. Car park is very small, maybe only 15 cars or so and there is no on street parking nearby.

Walks are lovely and peaceful and is a dog friendly site.

During wetter and busier months the walks can get muddy.

Lovely area very peaceful. There were maps to follow but the walks were not clearly marked and we only found 1 lake and went round in a big circle. If you take your dogs we couldn't find a bin anywhere not even for rubbish! But there was a tap and water bowl.