Summer holidays in East London: a family day out at Fairlop Waters

Six weeks of summer holiday to fill? Fairlop Waters is a proper day out near London, a big lake in Barkingside with boats to hire, four-wheeled Chuckle Bikes to pedal, and a Little Train for the younger ones. It's good value, it's outdoors, and it's quieter midweek if you'd rather dodge the August weekend crowds. Here's how to plan a summer day on the water, and how to pick the best day to come.

We run the lake ourselves, so this is the honest version: what's here for the holidays, what it costs, and the days that are worth aiming for.

A full summer day on the lake

There's enough at Fairlop Waters to fill a proper day, and you can mix and match to suit the ages you've brought along.

Start on the water. The lake is the heart of a summer day here. Hire a pedalo or rowing boat (the pedalo seats up to five, so the whole family can pile in) or take an electric boat for a relaxed half-hour with no legwork. No experience needed, and our team gives a quick safety briefing before you set off. Boats start from £5.50 a child and £9.50 an adult for 30 minutes, with a family of four from £24.50.

Add a bike. When you fancy a change of pace, the Chuckle Bikes are four wheels and two seats side by side, so a grown-up and a child can pedal round the lake together, with no cycling skills needed. They're from £17.50 for 30 minutes.

Ride the Little Train. For the youngest ones, the Little Train is a gentle ride round the water at £3 a passenger, a charming, cheap way to round out the day.

Bring a picnic. There's open green space and plenty of room to spread out, so pack a lunch, find a spot by the water, and let the afternoon unfold.

Good value for the holidays

A family summer doesn't have to cost a fortune. A family of four can be out on the water for half an hour from £24.50, or an hour from £30, and the Little Train is just £3 a passenger. Bring a picnic and a day at the lake is an easy, good-value one out of the house, with the boats and bikes the only real spend.

It stacks up well against a day out at the big central-London boating lakes, too: a family of four gets an hour on the water for £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 it's an even bigger saving than it looks). The same time on the water, closer to home, for less.

The best days to come (and the quiet ones)

August weekends are our busiest, so if you've got midweek flexibility, that's the sweet spot. Term-time has finished by then, so a school-holiday weekday gives you the best of both worlds: the holiday feel without the weekend queues. Midweek you'll find more room on the water, shorter waits for a boat, and the lake at its most peaceful.

If a weekend's your only option, come earlier in the day: mornings are calmer than afternoons, and a sunny start on the lake is hard to beat.

Plan your summer visit

There's no need to book. The boats, bikes and train are first-come, first-served, so just turn up on the day and pay by card or cash. We're open every weekend, all school holidays and bank holidays, from 11am until an hour before sunset, and the Little Train runs those same days. You'll find us at Fairlop Waters Country Park, Forest Road, Ilford IG6 3HN, a short walk from Fairlop Station on the Central line, with a car park on site.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to book for the summer holidays?

No, it's first-come, first-served all summer. Just turn up. For a group of 20 or more, call us first on 07700 105100 so we can be ready for you.

When are you quietest?

Midweek, especially during the school holidays: fewer crowds, more room on the water, shorter waits. August weekends are the busiest.

How much does a family day cost?

Boats start from £24.50 for a family of four for half an hour (£30 for an hour), Chuckle Bikes from £17.50 for 30 minutes, and the Little Train is £3 a passenger. Bring a picnic and the boats and bikes are the main spend. See boat prices and bike prices for the full list.

Plan your summer visit at Fairlop Waters

A summer day at Fairlop Waters is one of the easiest, great-value days out near London: boats, bikes, a little train, and a big lake to enjoy them on. Pick a day (a midweek one, if you can), head for Barkingside, and turn up.

• Hire a boat: pedalos, rowing boats and electric boats.

• Hire a Chuckle Bike: four wheels, no experience needed.

• Ride the Little Train: £3 a passenger.

• Planning a group, or a party this summer? Call us on 07700 105100.