Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve
Reserve Name Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve
Managing Authority
Address
Blashford Lakes Centre & Wildlife Reserve,
Ellingham Drove
Blashford
Ringwood BH24 3PJ
Phone Number 01425 472760
Email feedback@hwt.org.uk
Website Visit Website
Google Map Link Satellite View
Access (Transport)
Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve is on Ellingham Drove off the A338 (Ringwood – Salisbury road) Please note our post code will not bring you to here but will direct you to Ellingham church, so don’t use it! You want to follow signs off the A338 for Ellingham Water Ski – we are just next door to them.
Grid Reference SU151 079
Public Transport Links: X3 bus service from Bournemouth to Salisbury stops at Ellingham Cross 500yds west of the main reserve entrance. Bus company – Wilts & Dorset, 01983 827005
Parking & Toilet Provision
Parking for blue badge holders with concrete surfaced bays (can flood in heavy rain) in the Tern Hide car park
There are 2 disability buggies (trampers) available to borrow – to book, call 01425 472 760. (Please request leaflet.)
At access points the kissing gates have RADAR keys for wider opening to allow passage of wheelchairs and buggies. A key can be borrowed from the Education Centre by arrangement, please call us on 01425 472760.
Guide dogs only
Disabled toilets open during the reserve opening hours
Opening Hours
9am (09.00) to 4,30pm (16.30) Daily
Admission Charges
No charge but donations welcome – Part-time Warden only
Description of Habitat & Facilities
Description of Trails
View the Trail Guide for available routes. The red paths on the trail guide are our main routes, they are our well surfaced paths described below. Please note – The yellow footpath along Dockens water and Rockford Lake is not maintained as well and is not surfaced, there is also a style at the end of it – this is not included in the information below. The blue route is a long distance footpath and also has limited accessibility. Total length 8 kms
Steep Slope: 60 metres (one short steep hill to go up and down, on the path along Docken’s water, north east of the education centre. There is an alternative detour, it is a slightly longer route on the other side of the river.)
There are benches along routes but more than 300 meters apart
Trail Surfaces
Rolled gravel wide paths – they are kept rolled although there may be some loose stones
Number of Hides 6
Description of Hides [By name or number]
Tern Hide
Fully accessible with no steps or sills with movable benches. The disabled bay is 1600mm wide and has knee space 800mm deep and 750mm high. The hide is 8m x 2m.
Ivy North Hide
Ramp to entrance, 1.3m wide with an edging 10cm high and a hand rail. Fully accessible with no steps or sills with movable benches. The disabled bay is 1800mm wide. The disabled bay is 750mm deep by 800mm high, it is not angles.
Woodland Hide
Fully accessible with no steps or sills with movable benches. Ramp to entrance is 1.2m wide. It has a 100mm high edge and a hand rail. The disabled bay is 1300mm wide. This hide is a hexagon, 5m x 5m. One way glass in all windows. Lots of bird feeders outside of the hide, which are very popular with woodland birds.
Ivy South Hide
Fully accessible with no steps or sills with movable benches. The disabled bay is 1600mm wide. The other windows have knee space of 500mm x 900mm.
Goosander Hide
Fully accessible with no steps or sills with movable benches. The disabled bay is 1600mm wide and has knee space 800deep and 750mm high. The window in the disabled bay is 1600mm x 380mm
Lapwing Hide
There is a wooden ramp, 1200mm wide. It has a 65mm high edge but no handrail. Disabled bay has 800mm deep x 750mm high knee space. Fully accessible with no steps or sills with movable benches. The hide is 6m x 2.5m
Target Species
Winter – Over wintering wildfowl
Summer – Dragonflies
Nearby Sites
Contributor Michelle Crooks – Assistant Education Officer
Contributors Email MichelleC@hwt.org.uk
Date Last Updated 24.12.2010