Top 7 Lakes around Perry
Best lakes around Perry offer diverse natural and recreational opportunities. The region features a mix of reservoirs, nature reserves, and smaller lakes, providing varied landscapes for outdoor activities. These areas are characterized by natural beauty, often including woodlands, rivers, and wildlife habitats. Visitors can explore environments from large bodies of water suitable for boating to tranquil nature reserves ideal for wildlife observation.
Best lakes around Perry
- The most popular lakes is Grafham Water, a cycle way. This reservoir, built in 1965, is the eighth largest in England by volume and the third largest by area. It features a 16 km circumference trail and a water sport center.
- Another must-see spot is View of Church Hill Bay, a viewpoint. The path around Grafham Water skirts close to the shoreline, providing views of the bay.
- Visitors also love Paxton Pits Nature Reserve, an other natural area. This reserve offers habitats including lakes, riverside, meadow, and woodland, with opportunities to observe kingfishers and nightingales.
- Perry is known for reservoirs, nature reserves, and bird hides. These offer a variety of lakes to see and explore, from large recreational waters to protected areas for wildlife.
- The lakes around Perry are appreciated by the komoot community, with 177 upvotes and 41 photos shared across the highlights.
Last updated: June 14, 2026
Grafham Water
Highlight • Cycleway
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Valve Tower at Grafham Water
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Paxton Pits Nature Reserve
Highlight • Natural
Kingfishers and nightingales are a common sight and overwintering wildfowl visit during the colder months. In spring and summer, wildflowers, dragonflies, damselflies and butterflies create a vibrant environment.
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Wildlife Lake Bird Hide
Highlight • Structure
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Grafham Water Visitor Centre
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Tips from the Community
From here you can access the cycle/walking path along the top of the dam which gives great views up the length of Grafham Water.
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The cycle path along the top of the dam is wide and flat and gives great views across the reservoir. Reach it from the Visitor Centre at the northern end although access at the southern end is trickier as you have to squeeze through a narrow gap next to a locked gate by the main road.
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The valve tower at Grafham Lake homes the controls that operate the opening and closing of the gates/valves allowing the reservoir water to be correctly regulated. The tower was built in the 1960s and resembles something of a spaceship!
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Good cafe usually busy but plenty of space for bikes and a playpark for youngsters. Great crazy golf course due to open May 2023.
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Bird hide overlooking the wildlife lake at Hichingbrooke Country Park. Look out for the likes of Cormorant, heron, tern, teal, wigeon, coot, moorhen, great crested grebe and great crested newt amongst many others. Don't forget your binoculars!
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Good and nice scenery for a hot coffee you can also have your bike repair and accessory purchases at the Rutland right there. Beautiful place for a visit also a lovely mountain bike trail
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Built in the 1960s, the Valve Tower at Grafham Water is space age in design. It houses the equipment used to regulate the flow of water. The reservoir was built to accommodate a water supply for the new town of Milton Keynes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most popular lakes and natural areas around Perry?
The most popular spots include Grafham Water, known for its 9-mile loop route and scenic views, and Paxton Pits Nature Reserve, which offers diverse habitats like lakes, riverside, and woodlands, perfect for wildlife spotting.
Are there family-friendly activities available at the lakes near Perry?
Yes, both Grafham Water and Paxton Pits Nature Reserve are considered family-friendly. Grafham Water offers cycling and coffee shops, while Paxton Pits has a visitor centre with refreshments and opportunities for spotting kingfishers and nightingales. The Wildlife Lake Bird Hide is also a great family activity for observing birds.
What kind of wildlife can I expect to see at the lakes around Perry?
At Paxton Pits Nature Reserve, you can spot kingfishers, nightingales, overwintering wildfowl, wildflowers, dragonflies, and butterflies. The Wildlife Lake Bird Hide at Hichingbrooke Country Park provides views of cormorants, herons, terns, teal, wigeon, coots, moorhens, great crested grebes, and great crested newts.
Are there good viewpoints for photography or scenic appreciation?
Absolutely. The View of Church Hill Bay offers fantastic views of Grafham Water, with the path skirting close to the shoreline. Additionally, the Kingfisher Hide provides great views over Heronry South and North Lakes.
What outdoor activities can I do near these lakes?
The area around Perry offers various outdoor activities. You can enjoy running on trails like the 'Grafham Water running loop' or 'Valve Tower at Grafham Water loop from Perry'. For cycling, there are routes such as 'The Giddy Goat Coffee Shop – Grafham Water Reservoir loop from Grafham' for road cycling, and 'Grafham Water – Grafham Water loop from Perry' for touring. You can find more details on these activities in the Running Trails around Perry, Road Cycling Routes around Perry, and Cycling around Perry guides.
Are there hiking or walking trails around Perry lakes?
Yes, Grafham Water features a popular 9-mile loop route suitable for walking, with a mixture of gravel, mud, and road surfaces. Paxton Pits Nature Reserve also offers numerous paths through its diverse habitats.
What are the facilities like at Grafham Water?
Grafham Water has facilities including Rutland Cycling and two coffee shops. Visitors often recommend purchasing an annual parking pass if planning regular visits.
What should I know about visiting Paxton Pits Nature Reserve?
Paxton Pits Nature Reserve offers a visitor centre with refreshments, facilities, and expert advice. It's an excellent place for nature observation, with kingfishers and nightingales being common sights, and overwintering wildfowl visiting in colder months.
Are there any specific tips for cycling around Grafham Water?
For cycling around Grafham Water, it's often recommended to go anti-clockwise, which can be faster and helps avoid missing a section on the northwest side. Be aware that in hot weather, some parts of the track might have swarms of midges.
What do visitors enjoy most about the lakes around Perry?
Visitors appreciate the beautiful scenes and diverse natural environments. The mix of gravel, mud, and road surfaces on trails like the one at Grafham Water offers varied experiences. The opportunity to spot a wide array of wildlife, from kingfishers to great crested newts, at places like Paxton Pits Nature Reserve and the bird hides, is also highly valued.
Are there any less crowded lakes or natural areas near Perry?
While specific crowd levels aren't detailed, areas like the Wildlife Lake Bird Hide and Kingfisher Hide offer more focused, tranquil experiences for wildlife observation, potentially providing a quieter alternative to the main loop at Grafham Water.
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