Old Squaw Lake

Old Squaw Lake sits just outside Fakenham, a proper Norfolk water that's done quietly good work for birdwatchers and local walkers for years without any fuss. It's a shallow mere - the kind where you'll spot grebes, tufted ducks, and if you're lucky, something rarer drifting through on migration season. The water itself isn't dramatic; there's no jaw-dropping vista or heritage narrative attached to it. What you get instead is genuine Norfolk fenland atmosphere - reedy edges, quiet observation spots, and the sort of place where a Sunday morning walk actually feels restorative rather than tourist-box-ticking.

Bring binoculars if you've got them. Bring patience if you haven't. This works best for keen birders and walkers after something genuine rather than Instagram moments. Families with kids under ten might find it a touch dull unless junior's already into spotting birds - there's no visitor centre, no amenities, no activities beyond looking and listening.

The lake is free to access from the public paths around it, though access routes can be a bit mucky depending on recent rain. Allow an hour for a gentle walk; you could stretch it to two if you're stopping frequently. Spring and autumn are reliably good for migrant species.

If you're basing yourself at Ashcroft Glamping nearby, Old Squaw Lake makes a natural morning outing before heading into Fakenham proper for lunch. It's the sort of place Norfolk does best - understated, working landscape rather than staged attraction.