Days out
Radipole Lake
WeymouthOpenSee opening timesRadipole Lake is a wildlife oasis in bustling Weymouth. Don’t let its urban setting fool you, a vibrant patchwork of wetland and wildlife awaits.
About
Nestled in the centre of Weymouth, the reedbeds of Radipole Lake are an unlikely urban home to some stunning wildlife, including Bearded Tits, Kingfishers, Otters and Water Voles.
Leave the bustle behind and follow the footpath until you’re amongst the reeds and lagoons, transported to a wildlife haven. Explore hedgerow scrub, reedbeds and saline lagoons, discovering the wonderful variety of birds and insects that call them home.
Look out for flocks of Swallows and martins gathering over the water, see speedy Hobbies race through the air and watch wading birds like Dunlins, Snipe, Redshanks and Lapwings search for food in the mud. If you’re a really careful listener you may even hear the boom of a Bittern from the reedbed.
There are 83 hectares of the Radipole Lake reserve to explore. It’s considered such an important place for nature that it has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
At a glance
There is no RSPB car park here.
We're right next to Swannery car park which is run by Dorset Council and is pay and display. Please see their website for details.
895 spaces.
27 Blue Badge spaces - One blue badge space next to the visitor centre, the remainder are over 100m away.
The car park surface is level tarmac with a drop kerb at the Discovery Centre entrance. A gentle paved ramp, no hand rail, leads to the Discovery Centre.
Available when the Discovery Centre is open.
Other public toilets in the Swannery car park, 120m from the Discovery Centre with an accessible toilet.
Available when the Discovery Centre is open.
Toilet and baby changing: Accessible unisex toilet and baby changing facilities can be found in the Discovery Centre.
One blue badge space next to the visitor centre, the remainder are over 100m away.
Two signposted trails which are firm and generally flat, and surfaced with concrete or crushed stone with a wheelchair accessible gate to access main road.
The path to the viewing screen at the north of the reserve is generally flat, and surfaced with crushed stone.
A new, raised platform with seating is accessed by a ramp.
One blue badge space next to the visitor centre, the remainder are over 100m away.
Two signposted trails which are firm and generally flat, and surfaced with concrete or crushed stone with a wheelchair accessible gate to access main road.
The path to the viewing screen at the north of the reserve is generally flat, and surfaced with crushed stone.
A new, raised platform with seating is accessed by a ramp.
Available when the Discovery Centre is open.
Other public toilets in the Swannery car park, 120m from the Discovery Centre.
BBQs are a fire risk, endangering other people and the precious wildlife and habitats here. They are not permitted here at any time.
Dogs on short leads are welcome on the designated dog friendly trails on the nature reserve.
Please keep to the designated routes only. We’ve created designated dog-friendly routes for you and your pooch.
Dogs are welcome in the Discovery Centre on a short lead at all times. Dog water bowls are available at the Discovery Centre, when open.
Please take dog waste home with you to dispose of.
If you require an ‘off-lead’ walk please see Dorset Council’s dog walking areas.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all parts of the reserve.
See what’s here
This is a great location to spot Kingfishers
The vibrant azure and copper feathers of the Kingfisher make them one of the UK’s most colourful and instantly recognisable birds. But blink and you’ll miss them – they dart along rivers and streams at high speeds. RSPB nature reserves and our care-taking teams provide safe wetland havens for these special birds and their fishy prey.
Read more about how we are working protect these birds and defend their habitats:
Contact Radipole Lake
weymouth.reserves@rspb.org.uk Radipole Lake Visitor Centre, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 7TZ 01929 553360