Somerford Keynes Road, Oaksey, Wiltshire SN16 9TW
Lower Moor Farm
Mixed-habitat reserve
Place photograph
7.2
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Free
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.2Three lakes, two brooks, ponds and wetland scrapes form a patchwork of water, woodland and meadow at this 126-hectare reserve. From here, paths lead on to Clattinger Farm, Oaksey Moor Farm Meadow and Sandpool nature reserves.
Lower Moor earns its place through the way its lakes, brooks, scrapes, boardwalks, woodland and meadows connect into a varied wetland landscape. Bird hides and an accessible boardwalk make it possible to experience some of that habitat without committing to a long walk; the route can become muddier beyond Mallard Lake.
Peaceful · Family-buzz
Find your way
Open mapSomerford Keynes Road, Oaksey, Wiltshire SN16 9TW
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The experience
Choose a short circuit past the lakes and boardwalk, or take more time to explore the linked reserves. Look from the hides for birds and visit in late April for the snakeshead fritillaries. Finish with refreshments at the on-site cafe when it is open.
Things to do
Walk the Lower Moor circular
Follow a gentle circular route past the lakes, with boardwalks and paths linking the water and reserve habitats. AllTrails describes a 1.5-mile loop; confirm route conditions and directions before setting out.
About 0.5–1 hour
Visit the bird hide
Pause at one of the reserve's bird hides to watch for birds. The trust confirms hides are available; specific sightings vary and are not guaranteed.
Look for snakeshead fritillaries
Visit in late April, when the trust says thousands of snakeshead fritillaries can be seen. The supplied page caption identifies the pictured flowers as being at Clattinger Farm, so check locally for where they are flowering during your visit.
Explore the linked reserves
Lower Moor is a gateway to Clattinger Farm, Oaksey Moor Farm Meadow and Sandpool nature reserves. The trust describes the surrounding landscape as a mosaic of lakes, brooks, ponds, scrapes, woodland and meadows.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1 hour
Quick Escape: lakeside loop
- 01
Start at the visitor centre and follow the circular route past the lakes.
- 02
Cross the boardwalk towards Mallard Lake and pause at the bird hide.
- 03
Return to the visitor centre; paths beyond the boardwalk may be muddy.
Half day · Around 2–3 hours
Make a half day of it: reserve and refreshments
- 01
Walk the lakeside circuit, using the boardwalk and bird hide to take in the wetland landscape.
- 02
Allow extra time to explore the reserve's woodland, meadows and wetland scrapes.
- 03
Finish with a drink or something to eat at the Dragonfly Cafe if it is open; check its hours before setting out.
Verified history
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust says Lower Moor opened in 2007. The reserve is the gateway to Clattinger Farm, Oaksey Moor Farm Meadow and Sandpool nature reserves. The trust describes Clattinger Farm meadows as a Coronation Meadow and a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Hidden details
A wider reserve landscape — Lower Moor is not an isolated lakeside stop: the trust identifies it as the gateway to three other reserves, including the SSSI meadows at Clattinger Farm.
Late-April flowers — The trust highlights thousands of snakeshead fritillaries in late April. Its page caption places the pictured flowers at Clattinger Farm, so check where they are showing before visiting.
When to go
April · May · June · July · No best time of day is specified by the supplied reserve source. Check current conditions and cafe hours before visiting.
The reserve is promoted as a year-round visit. Late April is singled out for snakeshead fritillaries; the supplied source does not give precise flowering dates beyond that seasonal guidance.
The trust warns that paths beyond the wheelchair-accessible boardwalk can be muddy. Check current conditions before visiting.
The route
- ascent
- 22 ft, according to AllTrails
- surface
- Boardwalks and paths; the reserve source warns paths beyond the boardwalk can be muddy
- distance
- 1.5 miles, according to AllTrails
- duration
- 0.5–1 hour, according to AllTrails
- difficulty
- Easy, according to AllTrails
- route shape
- Loop
- start point
- Visitor centre
- parking start
- Parking at the visitor centre, according to Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
- Lakes including Mallard Lake
- Boardwalk across to Mallard Lake
- Bird hide
- Woodland, meadows and wetland scrapes
Worth pairing with
Clattinger Farm
A linked reserve reached from Lower Moor; its meadows are described by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust as a Coronation Meadow and an SSSI.
Oaksey Moor Farm Meadow and Sandpool nature reserves
Two further reserves named by the trust as accessible from Lower Moor. Check current routes and conditions before planning an extended visit.
Dragonfly Cafe
On-site cafe at the visitor centre, listed by the trust as open Wednesday–Sunday, 10am–4pm. Check before visiting.
What to look for
Look for snakeshead fritillaries in late April, birds from the hides, and the changing mix of lakes, brooks, wetland scrapes, boardwalks, woodland and meadows.
The story
Nature conservation; the reserve opened in 2007. The connected Clattinger Farm meadows are described by the trust as a Coronation Meadow and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Best time to go
All year; late April is a particular draw for snakeshead fritillaries.
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust recommends visiting all year round. Late April is the standout seasonal window for snakeshead fritillaries; the Dragonfly Cafe is listed as open Wednesday–Sunday, 10am–4pm.
How long to spend
1–2 hours; half day if exploring connected reserves
Perfect for
Families · Young children · Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Birdwatchers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust says the reserve is open at all times and free to enter. The visitor centre has parking. Wheelchair access is available to one bird hide and across the boardwalk to Mallard Lake; paths beyond can be muddy.
Parking
Parking at the visitor centre. Disabled parking is listed by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.
Toilets
Toilets and an accessible toilet are listed at the reserve.
Food & drink
The Dragonfly Cafe serves refreshments; the trust lists opening Wednesday–Sunday, 10am–4pm. Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Dogs on a lead, according to Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.
Accessibility
Wheelchair access to one bird hide and across the boardwalk to Mallard Lake; paths beyond may be muddy. An accessible toilet and disabled parking are listed. Check current conditions before visiting.
Check before visiting
Cost
Free
Water
Three lakes, two brooks, ponds and wetland scrapes. Swimming or paddling permission is not evidenced.
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Lower Moor Farm
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
