OS Grid ref: TM 093547 (Explorer 211).

Access from B1078 Coddenham Road.

Area: 13 hectares

Needham Lake is a popular countryside attraction centred round a flooded gravel pit alongside the River Gipping close to Needham Market. The Lake is home for a variety of wildlife with numerous well-fed ducks around the car park. A walk around the surfaced lakeside path takes around 20 minutes and gives access for visitors wishing to explore further.

There are picnic and play areas with many picnic tables dotted around, play equipment for children and plenty of grass for games. An Ice Cream van is present during the Summer months. Dogs are welcome but must be kept under control.

Part of the site is a Local Nature Reserve with a wetland area, meadows managed for wildlife and a small woodland. In Summer you will see many species of dragonflies and numerous small birds can be spotted amongst the trees. Look out for the nest boxes found throughout the site and the tern raft out on the Lake during the Summer months. Wild flowers are plentiful with pyramidal and bee orchids easily seen from the paths. The fenced paddocks are grazed in the Summer months to help improve the grassland for wildlife. Highland cattle are present in 2008.

A small toilet block and Information Room is present near the lake where a range of information about the site and surrounding area can be found. Look out for information on events and activities throughout the year. During the school holidays there are regular children’s activities and storytelling events.

Angling permits for the Lake (both day ticket and club membership) are available from Bosmere Tackle (Tel: 01449 721808) in Needham Market High Street and Model Boating permits are available from MSDC offices.

A leaflet about Needham Lake can be downloaded from the following link

NeedhamLake information leaflet (PDF, 624Kb)