Trip to Needham Lakes

Needham Lake is a great destination for families and for just whiling away a peaceful afternoon. The lake is teeming with birdlife – have great fun feeding the ducks or sit and watch the geese and swans as they parade about. There are wooden sculptures, stepping stones and fun play area, with its hollow climbing logs. The park is quite compact making it very easy to get around and you can also venture along the River Gipping to Alder Carr Farm, famous for its home made ice cream, or by explore Needham Market’s historic high street. Please bring your own lunch for this event!

Leaving the SU at 11am - please ensure you arrive promptly or we will have to leave without you

Leaving Needham Lakes at 2pm to arrive back at the SU at 2:30pm

Facilities

• Toilets – accessible

• Refreshments – seasonal vendor

• Picnic area

• Play area

There are also two trails around the lakes:

Easy access trail 0.6 mile/1km - Following the tarmac path around the lake allows you to see the lake and wildlife islands from many different angles. There are many benches along the route (some very imaginatively designed) and picnic areas dotted around.

Easy going trail 1.5 mile/2.5km round trip - From Needham Lake you can extend your walk by crossing the bridge by the weir and following the riverside path northwards. The path is firm and provides a very tranquil walk beside the river, past Wildwood (a community woodland) and fields of sheep. You eventually come to a bridge, where you can either carry on to Alder Carr Farm, with its excellent café and farm shop, or cross over, turn left and go along the lane to the Camping Land which returns you back to Needham Lake. The final leg of this walk is over a grassy field through Needham Lake Local Nature Reserve.

Both of these trails are wheelchair accessible!