Boat hire at Fairlop Waters: pedalos, rowing boats and electric boats

Want to get out on the water this summer? Fairlop Waters has a big, calm lake in Barkingside, east London, a short hop from Fairlop Station on the Central line, and within easy reach of Ilford, Redbridge and the west-Essex towns nearby. You don't need any experience, you don't need to book, and there's a boat for whatever mood you're in. Here's the full picture: the boats, what they cost, and how it all works.

We run the lake ourselves, so this is the honest guide: which boat suits who, what you'll pay, and what to expect when you arrive.

The boats

There's more on the water here than most people expect. Whatever you fancy, it's easy to get the hang of, and a member of our team will show you how before you set off.

• Pedalo boats seat up to five, so the whole family can pile in together. You pedal to go and turn the wheel to steer, and that's the lot. A good first boat for younger crews, and the one most families pick.

• Rowing boats for anyone who'd rather do the work themselves and take it at their own pace.

• The hammock kayak is the one to try if you want something a bit different: a relaxed, lie-back paddle for a calm day on the lake.

• Electric boats for when you'd rather sit back and let the motor do the moving. These go out for 30 minutes, long enough for a proper potter round the lake without the legwork.

What it costs

Here's where Fairlop earns its keep. Boat hire is per person, with a cheaper family rate if you're coming as a group of four.

• 30 minutes: £5.50 a child, £9.50 an adult, or £24.50 for a family of two adults and two children.

• One hour: £7.50 a child, £11.50 an adult, or £30 for the same family of four.

• Electric boat, 30 minutes: £8.50 a child, £16.50 an adult, or £42.50 for a family of four.

The family rate works out cheaper than booking everyone in one by one: a family of four for an hour is £30, rather than £38 paid separately.

Set that next to a day out on the big central-London boating lakes and the difference is plain. An hour in a rowing boat or pedalo for an adult is £11.50 here, against £13.95 at the Serpentine in Hyde Park and £13.45 at Regent's Park at peak times. A family of four for an hour is £30 here, where a comparable family ticket is £36 to £37 in the Royal Parks (and theirs is priced for two adults and three children, so the gap in our favour is wider still). The electric boats are the clearest gap of all: an electric boat for the family is £42.50 here for half an hour, where the electric boats on the Royal Parks lakes run to £48 to £52 for the same time.

For the full price list, including any seasonal changes, check the boat hire page, which is always the version to trust.

How it works

It couldn't be simpler. There's no need to book. We're first-come, first-served, so you just turn up on the day, pick your boat, and pay at the boathouse by card or cash. We're open every weekend, all school holidays and bank holidays, from 11am until an hour before sunset.

Before anyone heads out, a member of our team gives a quick safety briefing: how the boat works, where to go, and what to do if you need us. It takes a few minutes, and then you're off. Everyone on the water wears a life jacket, and we provide them. Our team stays on the jetty the whole time, so there's always someone keeping an eye on the water.

If you're coming as a bigger group, give us a call first on 07700 105100 so we can have enough boats ready for you: handy for parties, clubs or a group of 20 or more.

Good to know before you come

• Booking: none needed. Turn up and pick a boat. (Call ahead for a group of 20+.)

• Ages: the pedalo seats the whole family, so no one's left out, and there's no experience needed for any of the boats. Keep little ones close, as you would anywhere near water, but it's set up for families, and most of our visitors are exactly that.

• What to bring: comfortable clothes, sun cream on a bright day, and a layer in case the breeze picks up off the water. Everything for the boats is here when you arrive.

• Getting here: we're at Fairlop Waters Country Park, Forest Road, Ilford IG6 3HN. Fairlop Station is on the Central line, a short walk away, so it's an easy car-free trip; there's also a car park on site by the lake.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to book a boat?

No. The boats are first-come, first-served, so just turn up on the day. For a group of 20 or more, call us first on 07700 105100 so we can be ready for you.

How many people fit in a boat?

The pedalo boats seat up to five, so a whole family can go out together. The rowing boats and the hammock kayak are for smaller groups, so ask our team on the day and we'll point you to the right one.

How long do I get?

You choose: 30 minutes or an hour on most boats. The electric boats go out for 30 minutes.

What's included?

Everything you need is here: the boat, a life jacket each, and a quick safety briefing before you go. Just bring yourselves (and a picnic, if you fancy one by the lake afterwards).

Is there boat hire near Hainault too?

Yes. We run a second lake at Hainault, a little further north, with its own boat hire. If you're nearer there, boats at our Hainault lake might suit you better.

Hire a boat at Fairlop Waters

A few hours on the lake is one of the easiest, great-value days out near London, and you can be on the water within minutes of arriving. (The prices above bear that out: a family hour on the water is £30 here, against £36 to £37 in the Royal Parks.) No booking needed: pick a day, head for Barkingside, and turn up.

• Hire a boat at Fairlop Waters: walk up on the day, or call ahead.

• Boats at our Hainault lake if you're nearer there.

• Fancy two wheels instead? Try a four-wheeled Chuckle Bike round the lake.

• Planning a group? Call us on 07700 105100.