Lakes, Boardwalks, Birds, Birdhides plus a meadow stroll by the river Test

Come and join a 6 mile walk starting and finishing by The Salmon Leap pub, Totton. The walk will take in the wildlife haven known as Testwood Lakes Nature Reserve, which is a complex of 4 lakes covering some 55 hectares. During the lake section of the walk we will visit a couple of bird hides which offer super views over two smaller lakes where a good variety of birds can be seen. So  bring binoculars or similar as we will stop at each for 5 minutes. 

Whilst excavating Meadow Lake several Bronze age finds were made dating back to 1500BC including:- 143 stakes some as long as 13ft, identified as part of the earliest bridge in England, the bronze blade of a thrusting sword known as a rapier and wood from a seagoing boat, which would have been used for trading with the French. On the shores we will pass by the frame of a reconstructed Bronze age boat which would have been used for crossing the channel. By one of the boardwalks we will also pass a replica Bronze age roundhouse. 

Shortly after leaving the lakes we will walk along the bank of the River Test and one of its tributaries before making our way back to the Salmon Leap Public House.