Testwood Lakes Nature Reserve

Testwood Lakes is a hidden wildlife haven where lapwing, oystercatcher and great crested grebe breed in the spring, and butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies gather in the summer. A beautiful nature reserve to visit with the family.

Location

Brunel Road, Calmore

Totton

Hampshire

SO40 3YD

OS Map Reference

SU 347 155

Know before you go

Size

55 hectares

Entry fee

Donations welcome

Parking information

The car park is open 8am-5pm in summer, 8am-4pm in winter. Please note, the gates to the nature reserve and car parks have a height barrier of 1.9m, which is usually closed.

Grazing animals

Our sites are grazed all year by livestock. Please follow the signage on site.

Walking trails

The site is largely flat but some slopes are present around the Testwood Lake and up to the Education Centre. There are surfaced paths all the way round.

Dogs are only permitted on parts of the reserve and must not swim in the lakes. They are not allowed on the paths to the bird hides.

Access

There are Radar locks on all the gates to allow wheelchair access; please make sure to bring your radar key with you for your convenience. An all-terrain wheelchair is available for hire, please contact the centre ahead of your visit to ensure its availability.

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. Coming from Southampton, travel into Totton along the A36/Commercial Road, taking the second exit at the roundabout onto the A36/Salisbury Road. At the large roundabout take the third exit on Brunel Road.

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.

Dogs

On a lead

There are some parts of the reserve where dogs are not permitted.

Facilities

Bird hides

When to visit

Opening times

The Centre is open for booked schools and groups only.

If you would like to book an education session, please email us at testwoodlakes@hiwwt.org.uk

Best time to visit

Visit in spring and look out for lapwings, oystercatchers, cuckooflowers and orange-tip butterflies. Summer brings sand martins, emperor dragonflies, black-tailed skimmers and beautiful demoiselles. Winter sees a host of wading birds.

About the reserve

Testwood Lakes is a wonderful nature reserve to visit with the family. Rolled gravel paths around the reserve make walking with pushchairs easy. The great variety of birdlife to which Testwood Lakes plays host can be viewed from two accessible hides, and there’s something to see all year round.

Lapwings, oystercatchers and great crested grebes feed and roost on the lakes during the spring, and summer brings beautiful clouds of dragonflies and damselflies. Emperor dragonflies, black-tailed skimmers, southern hawkers and beautiful demoiselles can be seen darting overhead – their striking colour combinations can make for some impressive aerial displays. Winter sees the arrival of migratory birds such as great white egrets, as well as teals, wigeons and shovelers.

This reserve is owned by Southern Water and managed by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.

Please note: There is always the potential for blue-green algae in the water at Testwood Lakes nature reserve. Please do not swim or let your dog swim in the water. Blue-green algae can pose a serious health risk through both ingestion and inhalation.

No kayaking or boating permitted. Fishing is permitted on Little Testwood Lake only with a permit from the Army surplus shop, 43 Rumbridge St, Totton, SO40 9DR

Map download