![Hosehill Lake](/sites/default/files/styles/node_hero_default/public/2018-08/Hosehill%20Lake%202%20Kate%20Dent%20resized.jpg?h=192705f7&itok=HbeoWHn8)
Kate Dent
Hosehill Lake
Know before you go
Dogs
When to visit
Opening times
Open at all timesBest time to visit
All year roundAbout the reserve
Wetland wildlife
Hosehill Lake hosts a wide variety of water fowl in the winter and nightingales join the butterflies and dragonflies in the spring. Look out for wetland birds including lapwings, little ring plovers, great crested grebes and a number of more unusual visitors like the bittern. A large sand martin bank can be viewed from the other side of the lake and house martins, swifts and swallow can be seen from March/April.
Wildflower meadow
The meadow to the east of the lake is a visual treat throughout the spring and summer. It is cut and then grazed by wild Exmoor ponies for a short period after this in the spring and autumn. The meadow and the Butterfly Bank to the south of the lake are the best places to see a range of butterflies, day-flying moths and other insects.
Things to do
Follow the 1 mile circular walk around the edge of the lake.
Hosehill Lake is managed by the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust on behalf of West Berkshire Council.
Species
Contact us
![BBOWT membership welcome pack](/sites/default/files/styles/spotlight_default/public/2023-10/bbowt-membership-pack-2023.jpg?h=38d20ad2&itok=9whQWWRA)
BBOWT Membership
Help protect wildlife on your doorstep and discover wonderful wild places near you.
Join BBOWT to receive our Wild Guide to Nature Reserves, Wild magazine and exclusive member benefits.
![Volunteer by Ross Hoddinott/2020Vision](/sites/default/files/styles/spotlight_default/public/2021-04/RHO_6_280611-4294%2C%20Ross%20Hoddinott%2C%202020VISION.jpg?h=ce0f3363&itok=DQ9dw-ZS)
Volunteer by Ross Hoddinott/2020Vision
Volunteering
Our volunteers help us in so many ways - by working on nature reserves, helping at visitor centres, leading walks, training others and much, much more. Without our volunteers, we would not be able to carry out much of our work.