College Lake nature reserve

College Lake is a nature reserve located on the grounds of a former chalk quarry and features a large lake, marshy areas, meadows, and grasslands. A visitor center with a cafe, shop, and restrooms serves as the starting point for exploring the property.

The site began as an active chalk quarry used for cement production, which created the basin that became the current lake. During the later 1900s, it was converted into a protected nature reserve.

The reserve draws visitors interested in watching local birds and learning about wetland plants through outdoor observation. Information boards and viewing platforms encourage people to notice the variety of species living here.

The reserve is reached from the Upper Icknield Way and offers pathways for exploring the different habitats. Morning visits tend to offer better opportunities for watching birds, particularly during spring and autumn migration periods.

The name comes from Trinity College Cambridge, which owned the farmland here before quarrying began. This historical connection remains part of the location's story today.

Location: Marsworth

GPS coordinates: 51.82010,-0.65010

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:22