About
*The reserve is now open for you to visit, but note the toilets, bird hides and café remain closed.*
Open bodies of water are a rarity in south Wiltshire, making Langford Lakes nature reserve an attractive stopping-off point for a host of wild birds and those who enjoy bird-watching.
Owned by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, the reserve is made up of meadows and three lakes, with the River Wylye forming part of its border.
Summer visitors can settle into one of three bird hides to watch for Canada geese, tufted duck, great-crested grebe, and pochard; the spectacular osprey has also been spotted. Patient watchers may even spot the turquoise flash of the kingfisher as it hunts for food. As spring arrives, watch the grebes rising out of the water and shaking their heads in their dramatic courtship display. Thoughout the winter, shoveler and wigeon arrive to join the resident ducks. One of the UK’s most endangered and elusive birds, the bittern, has occasionally been seen creeping silently through the reeds at the water’s edge in the dark winter days.
Work undertaken by the Trust has made the river an excellent home for salmon, brown trout and grayling. Recently, otter and water vole have been spotted in and around the river. The Trust operates catch and release fishing at Langford Lakes.
Visitors can also enjoy locally sourced food and drink at the reserve’s Kingfisher Café, which offers a spectacular view over the main lake – with both indoor and outdoor seating, the café is a great spot to relax at any time of the year, and is sometimes also used for other activities such as yoga classes, work away days, and weddings.
Dogs are not allowed on site in order to avoid disturbance to wildlife.
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