The Stackpole Estate lakes are of European importance for nature conservation with a diverse environment that includes a national forest of Wales, dunes, limestone cliffs and beaches.
The Stackpole Estate, located within Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, covers around 2,000 acres of rich and varied landscapes — including freshwater lakes, woodlands, sand dunes, limestone cliffs, and beaches. The lakes, also known as the Bosherston Lily Ponds, are part of a nationally and internationally important environment for nature conservation.
The area holds multiple conservation designations, including Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Area (SPA), National Nature Reserve (NNR), and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). In January 2024, the woodland was also awarded the first-ever Forest of Wales status. The lakes are listed as Grade I in the Register of Landscapes, Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales.
Stackpole is free to access and attracts around half a million visitors each year. It’s popular with walkers, beachgoers, climbers, anglers, runners, surfers, and nature enthusiasts. Its proximity to the villages of Stackpole and Bosherston also makes it a treasured local amenity.Historically, the estate was designed as a grand ornamental landscape, featuring elegant walks, bridges, weirs, and grottos, all enhanced by thoughtful planting and layout.
Over time, silt has built up in the lakes’ upper eastern arm, reducing open water and encouraging invasive plants like burr weed. Climate change is intensifying these issues — with lower summer water levels increasing blue-green algae, and winter storms causing flooding and sediment buildup. These changes are affecting both the natural environment and visitor access.
We’re working to develop a long-term, sustainable solution for the lakes. Currently in the feasibility stage, the project brings together local communities, visitors, and experts to shape a future that protects, manages, and deepens understanding of this unique landscape.
Over the past few months, the Stackpole Lakes Project has made significant strides. A community consultation gathered over 300 responses, highlighting how deeply the lakes are valued and raising awareness of environmental challenges. A technical feasibility study explored options for sediment removal and catchment-wide interventions, while a historical assessment mapped the estate’s designed landscape and key views. In July, following a collaborative review of all evidence, a preferred approach was agreed — focusing on catchment management, targeted improvements to access and heritage features, and selective sediment removal to protect the lakes for future generations.
July 2025
Following 15 months of research and consultation, National Trust teams and NRW reviewed all evidence in a facilitated workshop. A preferred approach was agreed:
This balanced plan prioritises nature, heritage, public benefit, and sustainability in a challenging financial climate.
Find out how to get to Stackpole, where to park, the things to see and do and more.
