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The Stony Stratford Nature Reserve is a beautiful nugget of countryside with cleared islands and renovated bird hides connected by footpaths. The nature reserve offers nesting grounds and thriving wetland habitats for wildfowl and waders such as Kingfishers. Make sure to take advantage of the picturesque lake with its dipping platform, known for its vibrant dragonflies and damselflies.

Great gravel path, perfect place to bring the kids for a bike ride

A beautiful part of the wider Ouse Valley Park, Stony Stratford Nature Reserve is a great place to see breeding and over-wintering birds, as well as many dragonfly species. Created in 1979 from the gravel workings used in the building of the nearby A5, the reserve comprises five lakes and 57 acres (23 ha) of wet meadow. It is owned and operated by the Parks Trust. Two hides allow you to spot various bird species, depending on the time of year. Terns, oystercatchers and lapwings nest on the islands between March and June. It’s a good place to see a number of raptors, including kestrels, sparrow-hawks, buzzards and red kites. It is not uncommon to spot ospreys on autumn passage.

Nicely updated gravel paths run between the fishing lakes and form part of the updated walking and cycles paths of Upton Country Park.

Handy parking at the far end of the Reservoir gives easy access from the sixfields leisure park where there are numerous food outlets. From here you can also connect with the Northampton canal which takes you further into town or towards Hatton and Weedon Bec in the other direction.

You can ride a full loop of the Washlands by following the path to the left or right of the information board. If you cycle to the other side (around half way) you will find the canal and river but be prepared to cross a footbridge with gates at each end. If you want to connect up to the Riverside retail park you will also need to lift your bike over a fence/gate and push it over a very narrow footbridge which crosses the canal. It is just a short cycle 200-300m to the corner of the retail park.