Getting There
Leave the M25 at Junction 17 to take the A412 signed Rickmansworth, Maple Cross, Northbound 3rd exit, Southbound 1st exit.
Turn right at the staggered junction onto Drayton Ford, a single track road with passing places.
The car park is on the right, unsigned, just before an animal sanctuary.
Return to M25 Junction 17
Turn left out of the car park. At the T-junction turn left. Take the 2nd exit at the roundabout to return to the M25.
Springwell Lakes
Length – 40 minutes, or 160 mins for lakeside circular.
A wooden gate at the far end of the car park leads onto the lakeside path.
There are two options for this, either to walk for 20 minutes or so, and then return to the car park which is all road-free walking, or to take the longer option described below if time permits.
Follow the narrow path around the side of Springwell Lake, passing a mini electric sub-station towards the end.
Emerge onto a tarmac track and continue along this until an information board just before a bridge. Bear right down to the towing path of the Grand Union canal to go under the bridge. Rejoin the lane before the next white-painted bridge. Continue on this lane for 10 minutes or so to find the car park on the left, after the animal sanctuary.
Facilities
Free car park (with height restriction) open from 0800 to 1800.
Additional parking is available at Springwell Lock if you plan to walk after 1800, as the car park seems to be strict about its locking up time.
Useful Links
Springwell Lake
View website