Bodenham Lake
PLEASE NOTE We have closed the car park and bird hides for the time being due to efforts to slow the spread of Coronavirus and ensure visitors can maintain social distancing. This Nature Reserve remains open for the local community to access but we do not advise people to travel here to visit as it is important for social distancing measures that the site does not get busy at this time.
Location
Know before you go
Entry fee
Free entry & parkingGrazing animals
Areas of this nature reserve are grazed seasonally by sheep.Walking trails
You can picnic and stroll through beautiful orchards as well as river and lakeside meadows.
Access
There are twp easy access paths around part of the lake, both originating from the car park.
Dogs
Facilities
When to visit
Opening times
Dawn to dusk dailyBest time to visit
All yearAbout the reserve
Until the 1920s, when the site was used for gravel extraction, the land was part of Lady Close Farm. When gravel extraction came to an end, the pits were linked together, resulting in the lake. Leominster District Council purchased the land in 1994 to safeguard the site for informal recreation and conservation. Up until March 2016, the site was managed and maintained by Herefordshire Council's Parks, Countryside and Leisure Development service, before the management was transferred to the partnership of Herefordshire Wildlife Trust and New Leaf Sustainable Development who run the site today.
The River Lugg borders part of the reserve, with the combination of the river and lake making it a good place to see otters (especially at dawn and dusk). There are also two beautiful orchards, as well as lakeside meadows.