Distance: Approximately 2.3 miles (one way)
Time: (40 mins)
Terrain: flat paths/bridges
Eat/Toilet Stop: Yes
This walk begins at the Ferry Meadows Visitors Centre and continues along the path beside lakes and rivers until we reach the Lakeside Cafe on Gunwade Lake. (You can also start at Lakeside and do the reverse walk but please check that the cafe at the Visitor Centre is open as it's due for refurbishment very soon)
I would recommend a stop at either Lakeside or the Cafe by the Visitor Centre for refreshments and then to double-back the way you came.
1 - Starting at the Visitor Centre (X) go straight ahead towards the Badger Play area.
2 - After a couple of minutes you'll reach these pontoons. They've been many reported sightings of Otters and Kingfishers here and I regularly see Kingfishers perched on the trees by the lake at Badger Play.
3 - Continue along the path until you reach Ham Bridge and then take this right-hand turn towards the bird hides.
4 The path takes you alongside the river and is an excellent place for both Otters and Kingfishers. It's definitely worth waiting at this 'T' junction by the bench for at least half an hour to guarantee a Kingfisher sighting!
5 - Double-back the way you came and then turn right onto Ham Bridge, then left onto the path alongside Gunwade Lake.
(If you wait on this bridge for 20 - 30 mins I can pretty much guarantee a Kingfisher sighting - but keep your eyes glued on the river, they move really, really fast!)
6 - When you reach this bench, take this small path and follow it until you re-join the main path.
7 - Our route goes straight ahead here and follows the path alongside Gunwade Lake for about half a mile, but if you look to the left, you'll see Pontoon Bridge and I've sighted both Otters and Kingfishers here on numerous occasions, so it's well worth a small detour.
8 - This is Swallow Bridge. It crosses over the stream that joins Gunwade Lake to the river system and is a great place to spot both Otters and Kingfishers.
From this point, you can carry on along the path until you reach Lakeside Cafe (Nene Outdoors) on your left, or double back the way you came.
Good Luck!
Three Otters Fishing Under Swallow Bridge
Three Otters and a Heron On Lundy Bridge (Nr Swallow Bridge)
