5.4
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
5.4Dug by hand in the early 1900s, Hainault Forest’s lake now draws waterbirds throughout the year, with additional visitors in winter. A short, flat loop brings the water and woodland within easy reach of the forest’s wider trail network.
The lake makes a rewarding focal point for a forest visit: a smooth, accessible loop skirts the water, with birds to watch and longer waymarked trails leading into ancient woodland and open grassland. It offers a surprisingly varied nature walk on the edge of London.
Peaceful · Family-buzz
Find your way
Open mapFox Burrow Rd, Chigwell, IG7 4QL
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The experience
Circle the lake on the official 1.3km Lake Walk, watching for waterbirds, then choose whether to extend into the forest. The wider waymarked network includes routes through ancient woodland, open grassland and the former tree nursery where straight rows of trunks remain visible.
Things to do
Walk the Lake Walk
Take the official 1.3km loop around the lake on a flat, wide path with a smooth purpose-built surface.
About 30 minutes
Watch for waterbirds
Take time beside the lake to spot birds. The official lake information notes that some species are present all year and others visit during winter.
Look for the former tree nursery rows
The 2.3km Woodland Trail passes through the former tree nursery where many of London’s street trees were grown; look for the straight rows of trunks.
About 45 minutes
Extend into ancient woodland
Choose a longer waymarked forest trail. The official route descriptions include woodland, grazed wood pasture and open grassland; some paths can be narrow or muddy.
About 1 hour for the listed routes
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 30 minutes
Quick Escape: the lake loop
- 01
Follow the official Lake Walk around the water.
- 02
Pause to look for waterbirds, which include year-round residents and winter visitors.
- 03
Return on the flat, wide, smooth-surfaced path.
Half day · About 2–3 hours
Make a half day of it: lake and forest trails
- 01
Start with the 1.3km Lake Walk and spend time watching the birds.
- 02
Continue on the 2.3km Woodland Trail, which also takes in the lake and former tree nursery.
- 03
If you want a longer outing, choose a waymarked forest trail such as the 3.8km Buxton Trail Extended; check trail conditions and route details before setting out.
Verified history
The lake was dug using people power in the early 1900s. The official forest trail description says labour was provided through an unemployment programme. Hainault Forest’s trail network also passes through ancient woodland and a former tree nursery where trees for London’s streets were grown.
Hidden details
Straight rows from a former tree nursery — The Woodland Trail passes through the site of a former tree nursery that grew many of London’s street trees. Look for the straight rows of trunks.
A lake made through an unemployment programme — The lake’s origin is more than scenic: the official trail description says it was dug with labour provided by an unemployment programme in the early 1900s.
When to go
January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December · A calm, clear morning is a useful time to watch for birds; no official best time is specified.
The lake attracts waterbirds throughout the year, with additional species visiting in winter. Spring and summer bring wildflowers and insects on some of the wider forest trails.
Paths on some forest trails can be muddy after rain. The Lake Walk is described as flat, wide and smooth-surfaced; check current trail conditions before visiting.
The route
- stiles
- Not specified; trail descriptions mention a single wide gate on the separate Woodland Trail.
- surface
- Flat, wide path with a smooth purpose-built surface
- distance
- 1.3km
- duration
- About 30 minutes
- difficulty
- Easy
- waymarking
- The forest has waymarked trails with visible posts; confirm the Lake Walk’s current markers on site.
- route shape
- Loop
- start point
- Hainault Forest; exact Lake Walk start point not specified in the source.
- parking start
- Google listing reports paid parking options. The supplied map pin is not an entrance or parking pin; check current parking and access details before visiting.
- shorter alternative
- The official Forest Walk is a separate 1km, 20-minute route through ancient woodland and can link with longer trails; it is not described as a shorter lake circuit.
- Lake-side circuit
- Waterbirds, including winter visitors
- Flat, wide, smooth-surfaced path
What to look for
Watch the lake for waterbirds: some remain throughout the year and others arrive in winter. On the Lake Walk, look for straight rows of trunks marking the forest’s former tree nursery.
The story
Early 20th-century lake construction; woodland and forest landscape
Best time to go
Year-round; winter brings visiting waterbirds, while spring and summer add wildflowers and active insects on the wider trails.
Winter is a good time to look for visiting waterbirds; birds are present year-round. For quieter paths, check local conditions and visit outside busy periods.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Photographers · Families
Before you go
Address
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The lake is part of Hainault Forest and is included on the official forest’s waymarked Lake Walk. Check current access information before travelling.
Check before visiting
Parking
Google listing reports paid parking options; confirm availability and charges before visiting. The supplied map pin marks the place, not an entrance or parking location.
Toilets
Check before visiting
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Food & drink
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Dogs
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Accessibility
The official Lake Walk is described as the most accessible trail: a flat, wide path with a smooth, purpose-built surface. Google listing information reports a wheelchair-accessible car park and entrance; confirm current conditions before visiting.
Cost
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Water
Lake
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Hainault Forest Lake
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
