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Swanwick Nature Reserve Self Guided Walk

Duration: 45 mins - 1 hr 15 mins

Parking: Car Park by Nature Reserve.

Accessibility: Footpaths and some steps.

Comments: Map available, full route not advised in wet weather and winter as steps slippery.

The walk

From the Study Centre take the red route which runs to the left of the lake. Continue on this main path up to the top of the hill and follow it round to the right until you reach a gate on your left. (Short cut: Continue on the red route. This route will lead you past the Study Centre, on your right, and out onto Sopwith Way. Take the right hand turning onto Sopwith Way and turn right again to lead you back to the entrance).

Go through this gate, across the road and through the gate on the other side. Follow the blue route round to your right - this will take you around Ben's Lake, on your left, and past Little Lake, on your right. Shortly after passing Little Lake, you will see a path on your right. Follow this stepped path carefully up, past Tom's Lake and New Lake on your left.

At the top of the slope, turn left to follow the path around the top of New Lake and back down the slope. When you reach the viewpoint follow the path to the right, then take the left hand path of the yellow route through the woods. Follow this yellow route back to the gate.

Cross back over the road and back onto the red route, this time following it to the left. This route will lead you past the Study Centre, on your right, and out onto Sopwith Way.

Take the right hand turning onto Sopwith Way and turn right again to lead you back to the entrance.

Travel directions

From M27 junction 9 follow signs for A27. You will quickly reach a large roundabout. Take the turning for A27 West, towards Park Gate. Go straight over the first roundabout and at the second roundabout take a right hand turn towards Botley. Follow this road over the motorway until you reach a left hand turn for Swanwick Lane, with the Elm Tree Inn on the corner. Follow Swanwick Lane until you see signs for the Nature Reserve. The turning of Sopwith Way will be on your right. Follow the signs for the Nature Reserve, turning right into it just before the barriers.

Nearest refreshments

The Elm Tree Inn, Swanwick Lane. Turn left into Swanwick Lane. The Elm Tree Inn is situated at the junction with Botley Road.