Testwood Lakes

Testwood Lakes (gbmapping|SU348153) is the name used to refer to a group of three lakes near the River Test on the northwest edge of Southampton, Hampshire, England.

The lakes were built by Southern Water to provide drinking water for the Southampton area.

The three lakes are called:
* Little Testwood Lake (completed in 1997)
* Testwood Lake (completed in 2002)
* Meadow Lake

There is a visitor centre at the site.

The lake was opened for boating activities managed by Eling Sea Scouts late summer 2005, the current boating licence runs between 1st March to 31st October. The lake is available for hire to scout troops and other recognised youth groups. Testwood Lake will also host the annual Solent Scout Regatta with Canoe and Pulling Races.

Southern Water is working in partnership with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust at the site to manage the nature, conservation and recreational aspects of Testwood Lakes.

The Testwood Lakes Centre is open to the public most weekends in the summer and at various times during the week. Guided walks, events and activities take place throughout the year. The Centre, which has a permanent exhibition featuring themes of water, wildlife and conservation is open to schools, community groups and individuals, with facilities such as a well-equipped classroom for up to 60 children and two function rooms available for hire.

The Lakes are attracting increasing numbers of wildfowl during the winter, including Mallard, Teal, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Gadwall and Wigeon. Oystercatcher have already bred and it is hoped that Lapwing and Redshank will too. The ground flora of Alder Gully is very rich including Lesser Spearwort, Bluebell, Yellow Pimpernel, Moschatel, Red Campion and Foxglove.

The 4th New Forest North (eling) Sea Scout group is planning a new headquarters building alongside Testwood Lakes. The lake will be the base for their watersport activities.

References

* [http://www.southernwater.co.uk/homeAndLeisure/daysOut/testwood/ Southern Water website]
* [http://www.hwt.org.uk Hampshire and IOW Wildlife Trust Website]