Own Transport trip to Lackford Lakes (a.m.) and Lynford Arboretum (p.m.)
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Two venues for this trip: Lackford Lakes (Suffolk Wildlife Trust) in the morning then Lynford Arboretum (Forestry England) in the afternoon. Join us for either one or both.
Morning:
We will visit the varied lakes, meadow and woodland at Lackford Lakes between Barton Mills and Bury St Edmunds.
Goosander, Bittern, Shoveler, Lapwing, Snipe and Goldeneye depend on the lakes during the winter months. Kingfisher are often seen plus a wide range of woodland birds.
Travel time by car from Letchworth is just over 1hr (50 miles)
Facilities: Visitor centre, 8 hides, toilets, shop, cafe, picnic area.
Distances and accessibility: Trails from 0.5 mile to 2.5 miles. We will walk a circuit of 1.5 to 2 miles but there are options to cut back to the Visitor Centre.
The blue Kingfisher trail is wheelchair-friendly. Parts of the reserve are also accessible by mobility scooter. Some trails can be a bit wet or muddy.
Parking: Large car park.
Public transport: By bus from Bury St Edmunds: join services 12 and 355 to Lackford village
Admission charges: Suggested donation of £3. Free for members of Suffolk Wildlife Trust.
Meeting point: 10.15am outside the visitor centre at Lackford Lakes IP28 6HX (between Barton Mills and Bury St Edmunds). What3Words: pencils.reckons.complies Grid reference: TL801706
Finish by about 1pm.
Message us if you'd like us to look out for you 🙂
All welcome. No need to be a member of RSPB or our Local Group.
Afternoon:
We will drive 20 miles (30 mins) from Lackford Lakes to this woodland venue well known for Hawfinch. We will also look for Crossbill, Brambling, Marsh Tit and the more widespread woodland species.
Travel time by car from Letchworth approx 1hr 20 mins (65 miles)
Facilities: Cafe, picnic area. Portaloo previously but can’t be guaranteed
Distances and accessibility: 0.5 mile to the spots favoured by Marsh Tit and Hawfinch on a good track. We may walk 1.5 to 2 miles to look for additional species on unsurfaced paths.
Parking: £2.20 (2hrs); £2.70(3hrs) when checked in Sept 2026. Ticketless and cashless. Pay using RingGo app up to 48hrs later. Free parking for Forestry England national members. Free parking if using the Shepherds Baa cafe or on the verges.
Public transport: Nearest train station is Thetford (9 miles). Nearest bus stop is Mundford (1.7 miles)
Admission charges: none
Meeting point: 2pm at Lynford Water car park, Lynford Road, Thetford IP26 5HW. What3Words: canal.played.herb . Grid reference: TL822942
Finish by about 4pm
Message us if you'd like us to look out for you 🙂
All welcome. No need to be a member of RSPB or our Local Group.
Image of Hawfinch: RSPB / Ben Andrew
Morning:
We will visit the varied lakes, meadow and woodland at Lackford Lakes between Barton Mills and Bury St Edmunds.
Goosander, Bittern, Shoveler, Lapwing, Snipe and Goldeneye depend on the lakes during the winter months. Kingfisher are often seen plus a wide range of woodland birds.
Travel time by car from Letchworth is just over 1hr (50 miles)
Facilities: Visitor centre, 8 hides, toilets, shop, cafe, picnic area.
Distances and accessibility: Trails from 0.5 mile to 2.5 miles. We will walk a circuit of 1.5 to 2 miles but there are options to cut back to the Visitor Centre.
The blue Kingfisher trail is wheelchair-friendly. Parts of the reserve are also accessible by mobility scooter. Some trails can be a bit wet or muddy.
Parking: Large car park.
Public transport: By bus from Bury St Edmunds: join services 12 and 355 to Lackford village
Admission charges: Suggested donation of £3. Free for members of Suffolk Wildlife Trust.
Meeting point: 10.15am outside the visitor centre at Lackford Lakes IP28 6HX (between Barton Mills and Bury St Edmunds). What3Words: pencils.reckons.complies Grid reference: TL801706
Finish by about 1pm.
Message us if you'd like us to look out for you 🙂
All welcome. No need to be a member of RSPB or our Local Group.
Afternoon:
We will drive 20 miles (30 mins) from Lackford Lakes to this woodland venue well known for Hawfinch. We will also look for Crossbill, Brambling, Marsh Tit and the more widespread woodland species.
Travel time by car from Letchworth approx 1hr 20 mins (65 miles)
Facilities: Cafe, picnic area. Portaloo previously but can’t be guaranteed
Distances and accessibility: 0.5 mile to the spots favoured by Marsh Tit and Hawfinch on a good track. We may walk 1.5 to 2 miles to look for additional species on unsurfaced paths.
Parking: £2.20 (2hrs); £2.70(3hrs) when checked in Sept 2026. Ticketless and cashless. Pay using RingGo app up to 48hrs later. Free parking for Forestry England national members. Free parking if using the Shepherds Baa cafe or on the verges.
Public transport: Nearest train station is Thetford (9 miles). Nearest bus stop is Mundford (1.7 miles)
Admission charges: none
Meeting point: 2pm at Lynford Water car park, Lynford Road, Thetford IP26 5HW. What3Words: canal.played.herb . Grid reference: TL822942
Finish by about 4pm
Message us if you'd like us to look out for you 🙂
All welcome. No need to be a member of RSPB or our Local Group.
Image of Hawfinch: RSPB / Ben Andrew
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Where is it happening?
Lackford Lakes - Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Lackford Lakes Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Bury St Edmunds, IP28 6HX, United Kingdom
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherRSPB Hitchin and Letchworth Local Group
