Top 18 Lakes around Colgate
Best lakes around Colgate offer a diverse range of natural and man-made water bodies, often integrated into parks and historical landscapes. This region features lakes that support rewilding projects, provide watersports opportunities, and serve as wildlife havens. The area's natural landscape combines water features with surrounding forests and parklands, making it suitable for various outdoor activities.
Best lakes around Colgate
- The most popular lakes is Knepp Estate Lake, an other natural highlight within a rewilding project. This estate has…
Last updated: June 15, 2026
Ardingly Reservoir
Highlight • Lake
Tip by
Tilgate Lake
Highlight • Viewpoint
Human history here …
Tip by
Sign up now to discover places like this
Get recommendations on the best single tracks, peaks, & plenty of other exciting outdoor places.
Sign up for free
Ifield Mill
Highlight • Structure
Tip by
Southwater Country Park
Highlight • Trail
Tip by
Knepp Estate Lake
Highlight • Natural
Tip by
Sign up for free to discover even more lakes around Colgate.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
Start today with a free account
Your next adventure awaits.
Login or Signup
Tips from the Community
The perimeter path around the reservoir is very muddy in places currently due to the amount of rain. Welly boots needed in some places.
0
0
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,
0
0
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.
1
0
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.
0
0
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.
0
0
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.
1
0
The tranquil Ardingly reservoir can be found 3 miles north of Haywards Heath. It is home to a number of bird species which can be identified with panels situated within bird hides around the reservoir. Walk the Kingfisher Nature Trail around the eastern shores and for the more adventurous, the Ardingly Activity Centre provides sailing, canoeing and windsurfing opportunities. Unfortunately most if not all access to the waterside is restricted to anglers.
0
0
Frequently Asked Questions
What lakes around Colgate are suitable for family outings?
Several lakes in the Colgate area are great for families. Tilgate Lake, Ardingly Reservoir, Southwater Country Park, and Knepp Estate Lake all offer family-friendly environments with various activities and amenities.
Where can I find opportunities for watersports near Colgate?
For watersports, Tilgate Lake is a popular choice, offering canoeing, kayaking, and open water swimming. Ardingly Reservoir also has a hive of watersports activity on its south-eastern end.
Are there any lakes around Colgate with historical significance?
Yes, Ifield Mill is a notable historical site with a 19th-century weatherboarded watermill and an adjacent lake. Tilgate Lake also has a rich history, with human presence dating back to the Mesolithic period and later serving as a royal deer park.
What kind of wildlife can I expect to see around the lakes?
The lakes are rich in wildlife. Knepp Estate Lake, part of a rewilding project, is home to many birds and dragonflies, including rare species like nightingales and peregrine falcons. Ardingly Reservoir is a designated Local Nature Reserve where Ospreys have been sighted, and it features two bird hides.
Are there good places for walking or hiking around the lakes?
Absolutely. The walk around Ardingly Reservoir is highly recommended. For more extensive options, you can explore the cycling and MTB guides for the area, which often include routes that pass by or around lakes. For example, the Cycling around Colgate guide and MTB Trails around Colgate guide offer various routes.
Which lakes are best for nature observation and birdwatching?
Knepp Estate Lake is excellent for nature observation due to its rewilding efforts, attracting diverse bird species and dragonflies. Ardingly Reservoir, a Local Nature Reserve with bird hides, is also a prime spot for birdwatching, with sightings of Ospreys.
Are there cafes or facilities near the lakes?
Southwater Country Park features a large café with plenty of outdoor seating overlooking Cripplegate Lake, making it a great meeting or resting spot. Other lakes may have facilities nearby, but this one is particularly noted for its café.
What kind of cycling routes are available near the lakes?
The Colgate area offers diverse cycling routes. You can find touring bicycle routes in the Cycling around Colgate guide, mountain biking trails in the MTB Trails around Colgate guide, and road cycling options in the Road Cycling Routes around Colgate guide. Many of these routes will take you past or near the beautiful lakes.
Is there easy access and parking available at the lakes?
Yes, for example, Ardingly Reservoir has a car park that makes access easy for visitors. Southwater Country Park also has good access, with its café replacing an old car park, indicating visitor infrastructure.
What makes Knepp Estate Lake unique among the lakes?
Knepp Estate Lake is unique because it's part of a significant rewilding project that began in 2001. This initiative has transformed former farmland into a thriving natural habitat, restoring and regenerating nature, and making it a haven for diverse wildlife and a beautiful place for hiking.
Can I pick berries or forage near the lakes?
Some visitors have noted that there are loads of berries to pick in the summer around Ardingly Reservoir, suggesting opportunities for foraging depending on the season and local regulations.
What are the best lakes for open water swimming?
Tilgate Lake is a popular watersports center that specifically offers open water swimming, making it an ideal choice for this activity.
Most popular routes around Colgate
Most popular attractions around Colgate
Get inspired with the komoot mobile app
Explore more
Still not found your perfect lake around Colgate? Check out the guides of these regions to see even more beautiful places.
