Tamar Lakes

16/10/2026

Make this month a time to embrace the special changes that October and autumn bring. You can do this anywhere but we (of course) especially recommend an autumnal visit to your favourite lake!

Here are our favourite ways to make the best of the season:
🍂 Enjoy the annual display of stunning autumnal reds and golds on a lake walk.
🍏 Forage for crab apples or sloe berries to make an autumnal cordial.
🌠 The longer nights make for a great time stargazing whilst not being too chilly.
🍄 Spot some spectacular fungi formations - it's the best time of the year for them.

Read our new blog for inspiration: https://www.swlakestrust.org.uk/blog/season-of-mists-and-mellow-fruitfulness

01/10/2026

Throughout October Tamar Activity Centre will be open on Sundays.

For opening times and activities information head to our website: https://www.swlakestrust.org.uk/tamarlakes

Photo credit: Mandy Pollard 🐦

30/09/2026

This stunning image from our 2025 South West Lakes Trust’s Love Your Lakes photo competition was submitted by Mark Hillman.

Mark entered our 'Celebrating 25 Years' category with this beautiful shot of Fernworthy Reservoir from 2012. 📷

21/09/2026

🚣 Have your say in our 2026 Membership Survey 📩

We're inviting all South West Lakes Trust launch members to share their feedback and help shape the future of our membership offer.

Look out for our 2026 Membership Survey in your inbox and tell us about your experiences this year.

Complete the survey by Monday 5 October and you'll be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 South West Lakes Trust voucher.

Your feedback helps us improve facilities, benefits and services across our lakes.

Thank you to all who take part!

16/09/2026

Last month some of you might have spotted an unusual species when visiting Crowdy Reservoir. 🪶

We were lucky enough to be visited by a White Stork (Ciconia ciconia), a returning breeding species to the country after a 600-year absence, successfully reintroduced via the White Stork Project in southern England.

These birds have a striking white plumage with pitch-black wing feathers, long red legs and a large pointed red bill, standing 100–125 cm tall with an impressive wingspan of 155–215 cm!

The first wild chicks fledged in 2020 at the Knepp Estate in West Sussex, since then the birds have been spotted across the South. As Storks are known for their loud bill-clattering used to communicate during the breeding season, you may actually hear one before you see one. 👀

Fun fact: The famous myth that storks deliver babies comes from northern Europe, where the birds would return from migration exactly nine months after the summer solstice, a traditional time for weddings! 👰‍♀️👨‍🍼

If you see a Stork or any other unusual species when visiting our lakes, please report it to us. We collate all wildlife records and use them to inform our management of our South West Lakes Trust grounds.

Send in your sightings to: [email protected]

11/09/2026

Nature's favorite pest controllers are out in full force! 🕷

As autumn approaches, spider sightings spike big time. You'll catch them everywhere right now, even making surprise appearances in your home as many venture out to find a partner.

It's a busy, fascinating time of year for these tiny architects. 🕸

This fantastic image by Linda Martin shows a Labyrinth Spider. These spiders build massive, sheet-like webs that lead into a central silk funnel, a true design masterpiece! See if you can spot one on your next outing.

09/09/2026

This month’s featured 2025 Photography Competition highlight comes from Will Hoar, with a photo of Siblyback Lake campsite. 🏕

Will's photo won first place in our Awesome Adventures category! 🏆

04/09/2026

You might have spotted a few new survey boxes around our grounds lately. 📮 We want to hear all about your visit!

These surveys are only available on site, so if you spot one on your next walk, consider scanning the QR code or fill out a paper version to help us make your visits even better. Plus, you’ll be entered for a chance to win a £100 South West Lakes Trust voucher! 🎟️

How it works:

1. Complete the quick survey 📋

2. If you'd like to enter our prize draw, simply provide your email address at the end of the survey. 📧

3. Enjoy your visit 🏖️

Please note that your survey responses are anonymous. If you choose to enter the prize draw, your email address will only be used to administer the draw.

01/09/2026

In September Tamar Activity Centre is open Wednesdays and Sundays. ⛵

For opening times and activities information head to our website: https://www.swlakestrust.org.uk/tamarlakes

Tamar Lakes, located close to the popular coastal resort of Bude, provide the perfect setting for your next family day out or camping adventure.

28/08/2026

Planning to visit us over the bank holiday weekend? Please take note of a temporary change to our water access:

Saturday & Sunday: Water access for hire and launch is CLOSED due to high forecasted winds.

Monday: Open for the Bank Holiday for all hire and launch activities!