RW The Lyndon Reserve

LYNDON: once our best kept secret

Whereas many thousands visitors come to the Egleton part of the reserve each year, it used to be the case that much smaller numbers visited the separate section on the southern shore. However, in 2007 Ospreys began to nest right in front of two of the hides on the Lyndon Reserve and during the summer thousands of visitors now come to watch the spectacle. Details here.

But as well as the Ospreys there are some real gems of interest on this part of the reserve and it is well worth a visit at ant time of the year.

View from above Lyndon reserve

The approach to the Lyndon Reserve

To reach the Lyndon reserve you must go south towards Uppingham on the A6003 and take the first left turn into the village of Manton. Continue straight along on the road towards Edith Weston and turn left down at the Reserve sign. As you go down the hill you will be met by a memorable panorama with all of the reserve and reservoir laid out before you.

The free car park at the bottom of the hill is adjacent to the Visitor Centre. This is open weekends and Bank Holidays, November to end of April; daily Easter to end October; 10am-4pm.

Permits: Day Permits are necessary to visit the reserve and are available from either visitor centre. The same permit allows access to both parts of the reserve, Egleton and Lyndon.

In the centre of the reserve is an interpretation area and shop which was newly refurbished in 2008 and houses a fascinating new exhibition "Weather and Wildlife". More details are here.

Immediately outside the Centre is a small pond and in April the area around is awash with cowslips while in June the orchids take over.

The Lyndon Visitor Centre

Inside the Visitor Centre

Paths lead from the Visitor Centre in both directions along the side of the main reservoir. There are seven hides, most of which look north across the reservoir. One path leads to an area of scrub woodland known as Gibbet Gorse, consisting mainly of old coppiced oaks, Norway spruce, blackthorn and areas of gorse. A nature trail has been laid out here and in the spring you may well hear Nightingales in song.

To see a detailed map showing the hides and paths at Lyndon, please click here.

Below are some pictures, taken at different times of the year, that give an idea of the beauty of this part of the reserve.

The View from Swan Hide

Autumn view from Swan hide	Teal hide. The path is what remains of a lane that used to run across the valley before the reservoir was built.
Springtime view to the west in front of the visitor centre	Another springtime view, looking across the water to Lax Hill