Best lakes around North Horsham, a civil parish in West Sussex, England, offers a variety of natural and man-made lakes within and around its boundaries. This area provides diverse recreational opportunities, from watersports to nature observation and fishing. The landscape features former brickpits transformed into lakes and estates dedicated to rewilding efforts. Visitors can explore a mix of historical sites, country parks, and dedicated fisheries.
Last updated: June 28, 2026
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Tilgate Lake is the largest of the three lakes in Tilgate Park and remains a popular watersports centre and tourist attraction in Crawley, West Sussex. Tilgate Lake offers the public a wide range of outdoor activities including archery, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, mountain biking, raft building, rowing, running, sailing, standup paddleboarding, open water swimming, team building,
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Tilgate Lake is the biggest of the three lakes in Tilgate Park. It's a popular watersports lake with lots of other activities happening on and around it. Human history here goes back to the Mesolithic period when flint tools were made here. More recently, the area was a royal deer park in the 1600s and then Tilgate Manor Estate from 1647. More recently, BT owned it and the lake was sold for private fishing. Crawley Urban District Council purchased the area in the 1960s, and it's now open to the public.
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Southwater Country Park was formed after the closure of the brickworks and quarry in 1981. The area is now a thriving wildlife and leisure area with woodland, grasslands and a lake. There are children's playgrounds, a beach for paddling, watersports, fishing, bike trails and a café.
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Wonderful dinosaur themed park that is along the cycle route and trackway way, sells hot food and ice cream so well worth taking a break here.
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Using the power of moving water to drive a mill wheel is an ancient invention of the human spirit of discovery, the origins of which can be traced back to times long past. Thanks to such a construction, human or animal muscle power could be easily replaced by the power of the natural elements through a watercourse - natural or artificially created - in order to grind grain into corn or press oil from fruit, for example. There are essentially two different ways of driving watermills: * Either the flowing water simply hits the blades of the water wheel from below to set it in motion; or * the water is guided above the wheel - usually through a so-called "mill channel" - and falls onto the blades; this type of construction is more efficient due to natural gravity.
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Fantastic, quiet little road through the woods. Twisting & rolling and mostly good smooth Tarmac.
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Ifield Water Mill is a 19th-century weatherboarded watermill, with a big lake next to it. Nice cycle out of Crawley.
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The area around North Horsham offers a diverse range of lakes, including large country park lakes formed from old brickpits like Southwater Country Park, historical mill ponds such as Ifield Mill, and dedicated fisheries like Furnace Lakes Fishery and Menards Carp Fishery. You'll find settings for watersports, nature observation, and angling.
Yes, Tilgate Lake is a popular watersports center offering activities like canoeing, fishing, kayaking, and open water swimming. Southwater Country Park also features lakes popular for canoeing, sailing, and fishing, with specific activities designated for each.
Southwater Country Park is an excellent choice for families. It features three lakes, a café overlooking Cripplegate Lake, a visitor center, and the Downs Link for walking and cycling. Buchan Park Lake also offers fine walking and picnic areas with easy trails suitable for family adventures.
The Knepp Estate Lake is part of a significant rewilding project, making it a beautiful place for nature observation. It has seen the successful reintroduction of rare species such as nightingales, peregrine falcons, and turtle doves. Buchan Park Lake also provides scenic walks and opportunities to observe local wildlife.
Absolutely. Furnace Lakes Fishery is widely regarded as one of the top big carp and catfish venues in the UK, with reports of carp up to 50lb and catfish up to 60lb. Menards Carp Fishery is known for sizable carp up to 40 pounds, offering both day and night fishing. Sumners Ponds Fishery & Campsite and Five Oaks Fishery also provide well-stocked lakes for anglers.
Ifield Mill is a notable historical site, featuring a 19th-century weatherboarded watermill with a large adjacent lake. It showcases the ancient invention of using water power to drive a mill wheel, offering a glimpse into the past.
Yes, Buchan Park Lake offers a network of easy trails, including a nice boardwalk, suitable for leisurely walks. Southwater Country Park also has accessible paths, and the Downs Link runs along its eastern boundary, providing flat routes for walking and cycling. For more options, you can explore easy hiking routes in the area via the Easy hikes around North Horsham guide.
Beyond watersports and fishing, you can enjoy hiking and cycling. The Downs Link, which runs near Southwater Country Park, is popular for both. For specific routes, check out the MTB Trails around North Horsham and Running Trails around North Horsham guides for various options.
Sumners Ponds Fishery & Campsite offers a serene retreat where visitors can stay in shepherd's huts or bell tents by a ribbon lake, providing a peaceful natural escape. It's a popular spot for camping in addition to fishing.
Visitors appreciate the variety of activities available, from the popular watersports at Tilgate Lake to the family-friendly facilities and café views at Southwater Country Park. The historical significance of sites like Ifield Mill and the tranquil fishing experiences at venues like Furnace Lakes are also highly valued.
The area around Southwater Country Park is excellent for cycling, as the Downs Link, a popular route, runs along its eastern boundary. This provides a flat and scenic path suitable for various cycling abilities. You can find more cycling routes in the MTB Trails around North Horsham guide.
Buchan Park Lake offers fine walking and picnic areas, making it an enjoyable day out with scenic spots to stop and take photos. Southwater Country Park also has plenty of green spaces and a café with outdoor seating overlooking Cripplegate Lake, perfect for a relaxed meal.


Still not found your perfect lake around North Horsham? Check out the guides of these regions to see even more beautiful places.