The Top 20 Lakes in Essex
Looking to visit the best lakes in Essex? After all, there’s nothing better than the serenity of the lakeshore — or a quick dip when the weather’s warm. So, browse our list of Essex’s top lakes below as recommended by the komoot community, and experience more on your next adventure!
Last updated: December 19, 2025
Hatfield Forest Lake
Highlight • Lake
Hatfield Forest is an ancient royal hunting forest, and considered to be one of the best-preserved medieval forests in the world. In the past, deer were kept in the forest …
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Clayton Hill Country Park Cycleway
Highlight (Segment) • Trail
This path is shared with hikers and joggers. Maintain a steady climb with the appropriate gears and control your speed as you descend.
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Dedham Therapy Farm Animal Enclosure
Highlight • Rest Area
Dedham Therapy Farm is a tranquil retreat in the Suffolk countryside, offering therapeutic activities and programs to promote mental health and well-being. Whilst you cannot actually enter the farm without …
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Strawberry Hill Ponds
Highlight • Viewpoint
This is a great spot for birdwatching or enjoying the afternoon sun. The singletrack flows nice and fast through the forest here, but it's hard to resist the temptation to …
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Connaught Water
Highlight • Forest
This is on the Epping Forest Centenary Walk - an easy day walk is from Chingford to Epping, with plenty of time to sit and admire this beautiful location along …
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Old Hall Pond
Highlight • Lake
Located in close proximity to Thorndon Old Hall which burnt down in the 18th century, the Pond is also known as Old Hall Pond. It is now a fishing lake …
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Seventy Acres Lake
Highlight • Cycleway
Bring binoculars if you have them, lots of wildlife to see and take time to appreciate what we have on our doorstep.
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Stanstead Mill Stream and Hooks Marsh Lake, Lee Valley
Highlight • Viewpoint
A beautiful park with lots of water all around, people fishing, and the most inviting benches for cyclists: There's a bike stand near most of them :P
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Hanningfield Reservoir
Highlight • Natural
One of the reservoir and wildlife natural reserve of Essex. The scene can be quite dramatic (like in summer of 2018) with a low level of greenish water.
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Hainault Forest
Highlight • Viewpoint
Hainault Forest is an ancient forest home to an array of beautiful plant and animal species. There's a canopy of oak and hornbeam and a burst of seasonal bluebells in …
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Still not found your perfect lake in Essex? Check out the guides of these regions to see even more beautiful places.
NorfolkHertfordshireCambridgeshireSuffolkCentral BedfordshireStaploeThornhaughNewboroughGlintonEttonHelpstonKempston RuralWyboston, Chawston And ColesdenWansfordNorthboroughPeakirkMaxeyBaintonCotton EndMarholmAlwalton (Hunts)BrettonOrton WatervilleCastorUptonHampton HargateAilsworthSuttonPeterboroughEyeThorneyOrton LonguevilleGreat DenhamStagsdenRoxtonBolnhurst And KeysoeLittle StaughtonPertenhallWixamsWilshamsteadElstowSouthorpeUffordWitteringCardingtonBiddenhamBromhamBedfordClaphamBrickhillOakleyStewartbyKempstonWoottonPodingtonStevingtonThurleighLittle BarfordWothorpeTurveyLeigh-On-SeaRenholdGreat BarfordWillingtonCopleColmworthMelchbourne And YieldenMilton ErnestRavensdenPavenhamBletsoeWymingtonCarlton And ChellingtonSt Martin'S Without
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