Langford Lakes

Set in the picturesque Wylye valley to the west of Salisbury, Langford Lakes is one of the UK's best examples of long-term gravel workings that have successfully made the transition to become a stunning nature reserve. Since purchasing the site in 2001, the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust has built on the good restoration work achieved previously by Hills to establish what has become its flagship reserve. It is now an important refuge for wetland birds, a centre of excellence for environmental education, a popular destination for anglers and a valued venue for the local community.

The majority of the mineral extraction at the site took place in the 1970s. As the last of three operators, Hills completed the restoration before the site initially became a commercial fishery in 1984.

The Wiltshire Wildlife Trust acquired two of the site's three lakes in 2001 and instigated an extensive programme of habitat creation and enhancement. It subsequently bought the third lake. The end-product attracts some 150 bird species and provides a much needed body of open water in south Wiltshire. The wildlife in turn attracts people and the site has welcomed an estimated 25,000 visitors to date. The site's educational programme has drawn wide praise from teachers and attracted visits from some 60 schools, involving 4,000 children.

Langford Lakes won the Mineral Products Association's Chairman Trophy in 2007 for the quality of the restoration
(see press release).