Friends of South West Lakes

Children walking

By becoming a Friend of South West Lakes, you can support our purpose of protecting special places for wildlife and people.

Your support helps us to further our work and also benefits many young people, families, older people and many others who enjoy the countryside in which our lakes are set.

Our team of countryside wardens and volunteers work hard to enhance the wide range of habitats for the benefit of wildlife, including protected species such as dormice and bats, pollinators, amphibians and bird life. They also make sure our footpaths, cycle trails and play areas are well maintained throughout the year.

Every year, thousands of young people take part in organised activities with our recreation team, both on and off the water. Our activity sessions help to build confidence, enable an active lifestyle and build social skills, whilst making firm friendships in a fun outdoor environment.

We believe engaging with the natural environment enables people to grow

Benefits of being a Friend of South West Lakes Trust

Supporting our work to further enhance special habitats for wildlife and providing opportunities for people to benefit their health and well being by being outdoors
Parking pass for all of our car parks (1 annual pass for single, 2 annual passes for joint & family Friendships)
Tailored gift related to one of our campaigns
Free entry to our Open Days
Regular updates including a monthly e-newsletter
Family membership also includes a family activity pack to help your little adventurers play and explore
Priority invitation to events
A lakes calendar for the upcoming year (sent in Autumn for the following year)
Invitation to our Friends and Volunteers celebration event

Find out more below!

Friend categories and benefits

Each Friendship comes with a number of benefits as listed above. By joining one of our campaigns you will also receive a special gift related to your chosen campaign

Friendship	Donation	Play and Explore	Take the Lead	Love Your Lakes
Single	£35	1 children's explorer pack 1 parking sticker	100 fully biodegradable doggy poo bags 1 parking sticker	2 lakes coasters 1 parking sticker
Joint	£50	2 children's explorer packs 2 parking stickers	200 fully biodegradable doggy poo bags 2 parking stickers	4 lakes coasters 2 parking stickers
Family	£55	3 children's explorer packs (please tell us if you have more than 3 children) 2 parking stickers A fun 101 Things to Do guide	200 fully biodegradable doggy poo bags 2 parking stickers A fun 101 Things to Do guide	4 lakes coasters 2 parking stickers A fun 101 Things to Do guide

Click the links below to join today

Play and Explore

Take the Lead

Love Your Lakes

Latest

Things to do with the children outdoors this summer

There are plenty of fantastic opportunities to get outside and get active around the lakes; nature is right on our doorstep, providing the perfect playground and outdoor setting for a family day out.
Burrator News 31 - July Monthly Newsletter

June has continued to be busy with school visits from Mount Kelly, Pomphlett Primary School, and the whole Year 9 Geography department from Ivybridge Community College. In addition, both teams of ESOL students from City College Plymouth completed their work experience programmes on Friday afternoons.
Tips for taking a great photo

Are you interested in photography? There are plenty of fantastic opportunities to capture striking images of panoramic views, wildlife and people in the stunning landscapes surrounding the lakes of the south west. Why not try and capture a winning landscape, wildlife or action shot, and submit it to the annual South West Lakes and South West Water ‘Love your Lakes’ photo competition?
Anglers play a key role in invasive species management

Have you heard of the Check, Clean, Dry campaign? Our Invasive Species Officer, Nicola Morris, is working with anglers and visitors to the lakes to encourage everyone to work together to prevent the damage caused by invasive non-native species and protect the lakes and sports we enjoy.

Our Campaigns

We believe engaging with the natural environment enables people to grow

Join the team

Current vacancies
Roadford Lake, Devon

Roadford Lake sits within the stunning surroundings of the Wolf Valley, close to Launceston on the Cornwall border. One of the biggest and busiest inland waters in the South West, the lake is surrounded by a variety of natural habitats, including Culm Grasslands, woodlands, old pastures and orchards.
What we do

We are dedicated to the protection of the natural environment found at our lakes and are passionate about people from all walks of life being able to benefit from the wonderful countryside around our lakes. From walking and cycling to angling and watersports, we offer fantastic opportunities for great days out and regular visits for health and well-being, discovering and exploring at lakes across the south west of England.
Our impact

We believe engaging with the natural environment enables people to grow. Our Purpose is to protect special places for people and wildlife. Our mission is more people having great experiences.
South West Lakes Trust Launches 'Friends of South West Lakes' Scheme

We have officially launched our new Friends of South West Lakes scheme, offering a new way for supporters to get involved with our charitable work. This new approach offers a fresh perspective on being a ‘Friend’; crucially, it is more than ‘just a car parking pass’.
Partners

Our partnerships with organisations throughout the South West are an important factor in the work we achieve and the projects we deliver.
Siblyback, Cornwall

Surrounded by the striking backdrop of Bodmin Moor, Siblyback Lake lies within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). There is a beautiful 5km round lake circuit, which is perfect for pushchairs, wheelchairs and bicycles. The path runs adjacent to the lake, and passes by the impressive Siblyback Dam and through woodlands.
Donate

As a charity always aiming to improve the environment and provide great facilities for informal and organised activities, we appreciate donations for where our need is greatest at the time. If you would like to support our work with a one-off or regular donation and are happy for us to decide where the need is greatest, please use the donation buttons below.
Tamar Lakes, Cornwall

Surrounded by British countryside and nestled on the Cornwall and Devon border, Upper and Lower Tamar Lakes are steeped in industrial history and rich in flora and fauna. This is an idyllic to spot to set the imagination free, stretch your legs and enjoy the peace that comes from being near water.
Love your Lakes

We believe engaging with the natural environment enables people to grow and therefore it is our duty to care for and improve our environment.