Top 14 Lakes around Burnham

The lakes around Burnham offer a variety of activities. You can enjoy walking and running on the flat, tarmacked loop around Dorney Lake, which is also popular for skating when no events are taking place. For a more tranquil experience, Cow Pond is excellent for picnics and birdwatching. Angling is available at Hitcham Ponds and Apex Leisure and Wildlife Park (with permits), while the ponds within Burnham Beeches and Stoke Common are ideal for quiet walks and wildlife observation.

Yes, several lakes are great for families. Cow Pond is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, ducks, and lovely views, perfect for picnics. The Village Green and Pond in Chalfont St Giles offers a charming duck pond and amenities like cafes. Apex Leisure and Wildlife Park in Burnham-on-Sea features a children's play area, skate park, and gentle walking paths around its lakes.

Many lakes in the region offer walking opportunities. Dorney Lake has a three-mile loop around its rowing course suitable for walking. Burnham Beeches and Stoke Common, both Sites of Special Scientific Interest, contain several ponds and offer quiet walks amidst diverse natural habitats. For more structured routes, you can explore various hiking trails around Burnham, including the 'Burnham Beeches Circular' route, which can be found in the Hiking around Burnham guide.

Dorney Lake is generally open to the public seasonally, typically from September to mid-April, when no sporting events are taking place. During this period, its flat, tarmacked loop is popular for running, walking, and skating. Public access to the grounds is restricted outside of these times.

Yes, fishing is a popular activity at several locations. Hitcham Ponds, located west of Burnham, are known for angling and require a season ticket. In Burnham-on-Sea, the lakes at Apex Leisure and Wildlife Park offer fishing with permits from the Highbridge Angling Association. Further afield, Oak Lakes Fisheries near Burnham-on-Crouch provides day and 24-hour tickets for carp, catfish, and pike fishing.

Absolutely. The ponds within Burnham Beeches and Stoke Common are significant for wildlife conservation, supporting a rich array of freshwater wildlife, rare plants, and invertebrates. Spade Oak Nature Reserve, which includes a lake, offers diverse habitats for various bird and animal species. Apex Leisure and Wildlife Park in Burnham-on-Sea is also a significant wildlife haven, attracting various bird species like mallards, grey herons, and mute swans.

Yes, Cow Pond underwent a renovation in 2012 to commemorate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, featuring a baroque-style footbridge with a diamond lattice balustrade and an oak arbour crafted from sustainable Windsor Estate oak. Dorney Lake is famously known as the purpose-built rowing lake that hosted events for the London 2012 Olympics.

Yes, the grounds of Dorney Lake are open for cyclists, joggers, and walkers, with cycle paths available. For more extensive cycling, you can explore the MTB Trails around Burnham guide, which includes routes like the 'Cookham High Street – Boulters Lock loop from Maidenhead'.

Near the Village Green and Pond in Chalfont St Giles, you'll find cafes, pubs, restaurants, and shops, making it a convenient stop. Apex Leisure and Wildlife Park in Burnham-on-Sea offers amenities such as parking, toilets, and a children's play area. Oak Lakes Fisheries provides parking, toilets, and showers for visitors.

The ponds within Burnham Beeches and Stoke Common are generally known for offering quiet walks amidst diverse natural habitats, making them good choices for a more tranquil experience away from larger crowds. Hitcham Ponds are also rural and primarily used for angling, offering a peaceful setting.

Visitors particularly enjoy the scenic views and family-friendly atmosphere of places like Cow Pond, often highlighted as a great spot for picnics. The charming duck pond and village amenities at Village Green and Pond, Chalfont St Giles, are also highly appreciated for pit-stops. The diverse habitats and wildlife observation opportunities at reserves like Spade Oak Nature Reserve are also a big draw.

Yes, Dorney Lake offers a flat, tarmacked three-mile loop that is popular for running. Additionally, the Running Trails around Burnham guide lists several routes, including the 'Jubilee River Cycle Path – View of the Jubilee River loop from Haymill Valley' and 'Lake House Café – Jubilee River Cycle Path loop from Taplow'.