Cowley, near Uxbridge, London Borough of Hillingdon
Little Britain Lake
route · Waterside walk
Place photograph
5.2
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
5.2A compact waterside loop through a busy corner of the Colne Valley, where a former gravel-extraction lake meets the River Colne and Frays River.
Little Britain Lake is a modest, accessible waterside walk rather than a remote escape. Its appeal is the linked lake-and-river scenery and the chance to watch birds around the water; the roughly one-mile loop makes it a useful short outing.
Peaceful
Find your way
Open mapCowley, near Uxbridge, London Borough of Hillingdon
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Know this place a little better?
The experience
Follow the circular lake path, then take the riverside section where conditions allow. Look for birds on the water and around the small island; expect a flat route with some rougher or unpaved stretches.
Things to do
Walk the lake circuit
Follow the easy circular route around Little Britain Lake. AllTrails describes a 0.8-mile loop taking an estimated 0.5–1 hour; Birdingplaces describes the circuit as about one mile.
About 0.5–1 hour
Watch for birds around the lake
Scan the water, lake margins and island. Birdingplaces lists kingfisher, rose-ringed parakeet, red kite, house martin, great cormorant and great crested grebe among species found here.
Continue beside the River Colne
The lake walk can connect with paths alongside the River Colne. Check conditions before taking the riverside section, which may flood in winter.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1 hour
Quick lake loop
- 01
Start from a suitable access point and follow the circular path around Little Britain Lake.
- 02
Pause to scan the water and small island for birds.
- 03
Use the riverside section only if it is passable; return to your starting point.
Half day · Allow 2–3 hours
Lake, river and birdwatching half-day
- 01
Walk the lake circuit at an unhurried pace.
- 02
Where the paths are accessible, extend the outing along the River Colne or towards the Grand Union Canal.
- 03
Spend time watching the lake edge and island for birds; bring binoculars if you have them.
- 04
Check flooding and route conditions before using the riverside paths.
Verified history
The supplied Tripadvisor page says the lake was created after gravel extraction in the early 1930s and that the name Little Britain dates to at least 1819. Its attraction description is explicitly identified as AI-created, so these historical details should be treated as provisional rather than independently verified.
Hidden details
Look towards the lake island — Birdingplaces reports great cormorants and great crested grebes on the small island in the middle of the lake.
When to go
· Not specified by the supplied sources.
Birdingplaces describes the site as suitable for birding throughout the year and highlights winter and spring. The riverside path may flood in winter, so check conditions before visiting.
Rougher sections may be difficult in wet conditions. A riverside section can flood during winter and become inaccessible.
The route
- ascent
- 3 ft according to AllTrails
- surface
- Paved and unpaved paths; rougher sections are noted
- distance
- 0.8 miles according to AllTrails; about 1 mile according to Birdingplaces
- duration
- 0.5–1 hour according to AllTrails
- difficulty
- Easy
- route shape
- Circular loop
- start point
- Access is listed from the south side on Packet Boat Lane or the east side on Old Mill Lane; confirm the appropriate current access point.
- parking start
- Birdingplaces lists car parks on Packet Boat Lane and Old Mill Lane. Check availability and restrictions before travelling.
- Little Britain Lake
- River Colne
- Birdlife around the lake and its island
- Paths towards the Grand Union Canal
What to look for
Watch the lake edge and small island for waterbirds. Birdingplaces names common kingfisher, rose-ringed parakeet, red kite, house martin, great cormorant and great crested grebe as species reported at the site.
The story
The lake was formed through gravel extraction, according to the supplied Tripadvisor description, which notes that the name Little Britain dates to at least 1819.
Best time to go
All year for birdwatching; winter and spring are highlighted by Birdingplaces. The riverside path may flood in winter.
Winter and spring are suggested for birdwatching. In winter, check conditions first because the riverside path can flood.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Photographers
Route at a glance
Duration
1–2 hours
Terrain
Lakeside, Riverside
Parking / start
Birdingplaces lists car parks on Packet Boat Lane and Old Mill Lane. Check current availability and any restrictions before travelling.
Practical information
Opening & access
A circular walking route around the lake and alongside nearby waterways is documented by the supplied sources. Birdingplaces lists car parks on Packet Boat Lane and Old Mill Lane; check current access and conditions before setting out.
Check before visiting
Parking
Birdingplaces lists car parks on Packet Boat Lane and Old Mill Lane. Check current availability and any restrictions before travelling.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Food & drink
No on-site food or drink service is recorded in the source row; check locally for nearby options.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The described circuit is flat and easy, with paved and unpaved sections. A riverside section can flood in winter; rougher trail sections may be difficult in wet conditions. Check current conditions before visiting.
Check before visiting
Cost
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Water
Lake, River
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Little Britain Lake
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
