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NEEDHAM LAKE

10 ha

📷 Hamish Griffin · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

BirdsPicnicFamily
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome10 ha

Getting here

52.15251, 1.05808

Open directionsv
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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦58+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Black-headed Gull and Herring Gull
  • 🧺Good picnic destination in summer — open space and facilities for a relaxed day out
  • 🛝Playground — built-in entertainment for younger visitors alongside the wider site

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
ParkingPicnic spotPlaygroundToilets

Best for

9 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Mallard +55 more · last seen 2026; Nature reserve

Free

Picnic day out

picnic area, toilets, car park; Nature reserve — public outdoor space

Free

Family friendly

playground, toilets, picnic area

Free

Wildlife

Nature reserve; Birds — Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Mallard +55 more · last seen 2026

Free

Playgrounds

playground, toilets, parking

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — nature reserve

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

2 signed routes nearby · 46 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
The Mid Suffolk FootpathWalking route34.6 km
Named routeLength 34.6 kmRegional walking route
Gipping Valley River PathWalking route
Named route
Mill Lanepublic footpath · 497 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 497 mPath type: track
Crown Streetpublic footpath · 34 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 34 mSurface asphaltPath type: residential
Cattle Tunnelpublic footpath · 24 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 24 mSurface asphaltPath type: footway
🚴

Cycling

45 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
NCN 51Cycling route
Named routeRef 51National Cycle Network
Main RouteCycling route982 m
Named routeRef 51Length 982 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route708 m
Named routeRef 51Length 708 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route563 m
Named routeRef 51Length 563 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface unsealedloose
Main RouteCycling route834 m
Named routeRef 51Length 834 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface unsealedfirm
Main RouteCycling route20 m
Named routeRef 51Length 20 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
🐴

Horse riding

5 public paths nearby

Public paths
The Driftbridleway · 301 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 301 mSurface asphaltPath type: bridleway
School Streetbridleway · 20 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 20 mSurface asphaltPath type: residential
The Driftbridleway · 46 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 46 mSurface asphaltPath type: service

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Bench on the Needham Lake path

📷 Hamish Griffin · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Bench on the Needham Lake path

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Weather for this location

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Needham LakeUrban park0 m→🌱Crowley Park Playing FieldUrban park900 m→✦Baylham Roman siteHistoric site2.7 km→✦SHRUBLAND HALLHistoric site3.8 km→🌱Round ClumpUrban park4 km→🌱Shrubland ParkUrban park4.1 km→