We’ve visited Rickmansworth Aquadrome in Hertfordshire quite a few times over the last few months. We’re so lucky to have a variety of places to walk on our doorstep. Our pup loves it when we take him somewhere new and the circular walks are a great length for his little legs. Every time we visit we seem to spot something new and Rickmansworth Aquadrome is a lovely place to take kids.

Exploring Rickmansworth Aquadrome with kids

The main features of Rickmansworth Aquadrome are Batchworth Lake and Bury Lake. The lakes were formed through gravel extraction which ceased in the 1920s. Some of the extracted gravel was used to build the original Wembley Stadium.

There is a large (free) car park at Rickmansworth Aquadrome but I’d still recommend getting their early during the weekend as it fills up quickly. Rickmansworth Aquadrome Local Nature Reserve is 41 hectares and is situated at the northern end of the Colne Valley Regional Park. The River Colne and the Grand Union Canal run along the boundaries and to the west lies Stocker’s Lake Local Nature Reserve and Springwell Reedbed which are managed by Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust.

We always drive here and there are some handy toilets by the car park, as well as a lovely cafe. There’s also plenty of places to take a picnic. There are several walks you can do around the lakes and we seem to take a different route each time.

There are areas of wet woodland, grassland as well as landscaped parkland. My favourite walk is around Stocker’s Lake to the Grand Union Canal. You can stand beside Stocker’s House and watch boats navigate along the Grand Union Canal.

The lakes are well used and we’ve spotted all kinds of water based sports, as well as fishing and model boating. There’s also a wonderful children’s play park which my children love.