Lackford, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Lackford village lies in the beautiful Lark valley to the North
West of the historic town of Bury St Edmunds. Bounded by fields,
forests and lakes the village enjoys a peaceful country location
whilst still enjoying good communication links with major towns and
cities. Throughout history Lackford has been an important place,
formally known as CAMBORITVM, a site of a Roman camp and important
way point on the Roman map of Britain. It was also an important
village for the Anglo-Saxons.
Anglo-Saxon Village
Just across the lake backing onto the village is the West Stow
Anglo-Saxon Village where you can explore the way our ancestors
lived. The early Anglo-Saxon village (c.420-650AD) has been
carefully reconstructed where it was excavated. Experimental
archaeology has provided new ideas on what life was once like. In
the new Anglo-Saxon Centre, objects from the original village are
displayed, telling the fascinating story of this settlement and the
people who lived here. Visitors can go into the houses, feel the
solid wood, soft cloth and carefully-crafted furniture and imagine
living in early Anglo-Saxon times.
The Country Park
Beyond the Anglo-Saxon village car park, play area and visitor
centre is a 52 hectare Country Park bursting with life. There are
plenty of opportunities for picnics, walks and trails in woodland
and heath land, along the river Lark and around the lake.
The Suffolk Wildlife Reserve
Behind the village the Lackford Lakes lie beside the River Lark
and have been created from former gravel pits. The potential list
of birds here seems never ending, with rarities like hoopoe
occurring alongside more common species such as shelduck.
A superb site for wildfowl in both winter and summer, Lackford
attracts tufted duck, pochard, gadwall, shoveler and goosander.
There is a large winter gull roost and one or two pairs of redshank
nest here - unusual so far from the coast.
The reserve and hide network are open from dawn to dusk every
day.
The Visitor Centre is open 10am-4pm Wednesday to Sunday.
The Visitor Centre has a range of facilities to enhance your
visit to Lackford Lakes including an information desk, gift shop,
light refreshments and toilets. The first floor viewing gallery
offers stunning views across the reserve and provides a way to
enjoy the reserve without the need for a long walk. A separate
education room provides additional facilities for school visits,
children's birthday parties and our programme of wildlife
events.
Sailing Lake
One the lakes has been set aside for sailing. St Edmundsbury
sailing & Canoeing Association have a club there. A friendly,
family club for dinghy sailors, canoeists and sailboarders of all
ages.