Farnham Gravel Pits

Good for: Birds, Butterflies, Dragonflies, Wildflowers

Formerly gravel workings, the south lake is managed by the Society as a private nature reserve. Access is restricted to Society members only.

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Parking

A car park is available on the site, access through a locked gate.

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Access

A footpath, approximately 1 mile (1.6km) long, circles the South Lake and there is a track along the western side of the North Lake.

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Terrain

Level footpaths

Habitat:

Lake, Woodland

About the location

Farnham Gravel Pit, comprising both the North and South Lakes, lies in a shallow basin approximately 150ft (46m) above sea level and covers an area of 200 acres (81 ha). The pits were worked for sand and gravel from 1941, the plant machinery being finally dismantled in 1982 and work ceasing in 1985, after the lakes had been landscaped and the surrounding land restored to pasture. There are five islands on the South Lake, one with an artificial Sand Martin wall, another with a platform for nesting Common Tern. The lake is frequently visited by a variety of water birds. Several dragonflies are resident and birds and butterflies abound in the surrounding scrub and woodland.