Needham Lake circular

Todays walk was one for the folk 'the other side of Ipswich' as we went to good old Needham Lakes.

Our walk started early as I wanted to combine it with some foraging around the car boot sale with Skyla. Apparently they hold them every week, but next week is the last one before winter (*mental note made to go back next year earlier in the year*). I wanted to go and see if I could pick up some objects for scent training. Wasn't a great haul but we came away with a couple of things - and more importantly Skyla got to see a few more sights and smells!!

Once I'd ensured I hadn't missed any hidden gems, we set off for the walk. Now this walk is only about half an hour (which was perfect as my sister was nursing a bad back- not helped by an excited Skyla who greeted her a bit too enthusiastically shall we say - oops - better work on that!!). And can be made even shorter if you want to walk just around the lake.

It starts just past the cafe and over the bridge. I should note that you can park in the original car park which is really small which is found just by the lake and therefore you wouldn't cross over the bridge to start. Or you can do it in reverse, but I think most people will find it easier to follow starting with the lake on your right.

Now, whilst there weren't many ducks around on our visit today, just a lonely swan who came over to say hello, it's important to note that there are usually - so please keep dogs on lead around the lake.

Keeping the lake on your right, follow the path around its' edge until you meet the 'heads'.

poser!!

the ' Heads'

Now, the map on the trails app takes you round to the right a bit further and then across the field. But, tbh, you can go straight ahead at this point as you are looking to leave the field up by the woods (where they are currently building a new building).

But I do advise taking the route suggested by the app as there are some lovely wooden features similar to the 'heads' that can be seen around. I believe there are more further round the lake too and they make perfect photo opportunities for your posing pooch!!

If you have children they would absolutely love them, and full credit to who ever made them - they are fab!!

Once we had our fill of photo taking we headed across the field to the building I mentioned earlier. We had a discussion on what we thought it was going to be, and settled on a scout hut - I'll have to see when I go back next year to see if we're right!

You will need to pop your dogs on leads now as you go past a few houses and are technically on a road (although unlikely to meet many cars).

You are now looking out for a bridge on your right hand side which will take you over a river. Once over the bridge you want to go right and walk back along the river.

However a vague memory popped into my head at this point of walking this route a few years ago and going to a different cafe (not the one at the start and end of this route) with my mum and dad. A quick discussion with my niece who also remembers going there and one google search later and ta da...... we were right... so if you fancy trying a different cafe head left and down the the drive (indicated by red and you should find it *fingers crossed ).

But we decided not to to go to this cafe today, so we turned right and followed the map back. Now there's not many directions after this as you simply keep following the path and you will return back to the lake.

the river gets deeper than this!!! A lot Deeper!!!

The only thing I will say, is if you have a water mad dog like Skyla, the river was extremely tempting which meant we were a tad wet when we got back to the cafe, so you may want to pack a towel to dry them off.

So the only thing that was left to do was head to the cafe for a lovely warm drink and a bit to eat. The cafe itself is super dog friendly with plenty of treats for the dogs too.

Of course Skyla got a pup cup too!!

But the highlight for me is the toasties , with the option to fill with whatever you choose - they even promise not to judge!! So my go to is bacon, brie and caramelised onion - mmmmmmm TASTY!!!!!!!!!

But in all seriousness, it is really lovely - has a great atmosphere - and you can either sit inside or out. I always choose to sit outside so I can watch the children play and try to remember back to a time of such innocence!

So now for my feedback.....

If you want a short walk, and you have a friendly dog who doesn't need to run for miles - in my eyes you cant beat this place. Maybe I'm a bit bias as I used to come here with my grandad (way before the cafe and the children's play equipment - in fact our only entertainment was standing in the river letting the fish nibble our toes) but I just love it here. It always feels welcoming, there's always people to talk to and things to see - and well - the cafe is awesome!!

And the walk itself is lovely and the dogs do get off lead time. There's the TINY bit of road walking and its lovely and flat.

However if you want a long walk where your dog can run for miles - this isn't the walk for you.

And another down side (especially in Skyla's eyes) you may just have to end up giving your dog a bath if they come muddy and smelly from being in the river one too many times!!

But on the whole this walk get s 4 out of 5 stars from me.

I look forward to the walk next month now .....

Ps ....... Skyla wants to have a walk that doesn't end in a bath next time!!!!