Limited parking and the paths could do with some up keep to make it accessible to all. But a haven for birds, think I saw a Buzzard but not sure. I'd keep an eye on small children and dogs, as at some points there are big drops. See picture of tree that had fallen.

I recently visited Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve, and it was a truly peaceful escape into nature. This beautiful reserve is surrounded by tranquil lakes, woodland trails, and rich wildlife, making it a perfect destination for anyone who enjoys the outdoors. Walking around the lakes, listening to birdsong, and taking in the stunning natural scenery was a refreshing experience. The reserve is home to a variety of birds, butterflies, and other wildlife, making it an excellent spot for nature lovers, photographers, and families. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing walk, birdwatching, or simply a quiet place to unwind, Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve is definitely worth visiting.

I just moved to Whiteley and this was my second time here. The first time I tried to bike it, but you can't take bikes near the lakes, so that didn't work out. This time, I decided to explore on foot. Parking's pretty good; both times I went, there were plenty of spots, even though it's a small lot. The walk around the first lake is gorgeous and takes about 20 minutes, but if you want to check out the other lakes, you could easily spend an hour. I decided to try and find my way to the Hamble River. There are a bunch of paths, but it's not super clear, so you'll want to use navigation to find your way. After about an hour, we were by the river bank and it was awesome! You can see people on the river and on the other side, which is part of Meon Farm. On the way back, I took a different path that got me to the parking lot in about half an hour, but it didn't go through the lake scenery. If you're in the area, it's really beautiful. I even saw a deer, which you can see in my photos!

I am ashamed to say I have lived in Southampton my whole life and never before visited this nature reserve. It was quite muddy today (end of Feb) so bring appropriate footwear but otherwise such a pleasant walk. Great for birdspotting. Dogs allowed on their leads and free parking (although car park is quite small). Will be back.

Always a great place to visit, a couple of different routes around the old quarries. Lovely in autumn for taking pictures, can get muddy easily so take boots or wellies. Car park is free but quite small, never had trouble parking though.