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Meadow Lane Lakes

Bedford
White Fronted Goose – Steve Blain
Overview
Location
Birds

Overview

The Meadow Lane site includes two areas: 100 Acre Field towards the south-west and Castle Mills in the north-east. It contains a large lake with an island that has two small pools on it which are difficult to view once the scrub and grass have grown. The north-east, Castle Mills, end of the lake is the shallower part, which tends to attract more waders. The site is very popular with dog walkers and suffers from disturbance, so it is best visited early or late in the day.

Also known as: 100 Acre Field (south-west), Castle Mills (north-east), Meadow Lane Gravel Pits

More about the site

Location

– Access

– Parking

– Viewpoint

Grid ref: TL 08159 49844

W3W: ///deflection.poker.putty

Coordinates: 52.133082, -0.434867 (directions)

Access

The best way to access the site is from Priory Country Park off Barkers Lane Bedford. Turn left as you cross the brook just before the country park gates and drive to the end of the track (Cycleway 51). 

Parking

There is parking for around 10 cars just before the river bridge. You can also access the site from Meadow Lane, however parking there is more difficult.

Additional information

Walk over the bridge and follow the signed Cycle Route No 51. On both sides of the bridge, there are reed beds, which hold Sedge and Reed Warblers. Kingfisher can often be seen from the bridge. Walk along the Cycle Route to the old iron bridge that spans the Cycle Route and turn left. Follow the hedge line until you reach the 100 Acre Lake. You will pass another small pool on your right and the old Anglian Water sewage settlement lagoons, which are still fenced off. From this point you get good views across 100 Acre Field. If you turn right here and follow the hedge line, you will be able to view the arable field and the rough ground towards Castle Mill.

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