Icy Paths & Frozen Lakes: Guide to Staying Safe This Season

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As temperatures drop across the borough, parts of Hainault Forest are beginning to take on a familiar winter appearance. Several lakes and ponds have started to freeze over, creating picturesque scenes that many visitors enjoy at this time of year. However, despite looking solid, the ice forming on our waters is extremely thin and can break suddenly at any given time.

Over the past few days, our team has gently spoken with a handful of visitors after noticing some close calls near the frozen edges. These moments serve as an important reminder that winter conditions, while beautiful, require extra care from everyone enjoying the forest.

what to do if someone, or a dog, gets into difficulty:

Stay off the ice
Call ‘999’ immediately – Emergency services are specially trained and equipped to respond to incidents on ice. Attempting a rescue yourself puts more lives at risk.
Keep them in sight and offer reassurance from a safe distance

As you explore Hainault Forest this season, please stick to designated paths, keep dogs close by and under control, give frozen lakes and other bodies of water plenty of space. A little extra caution helps protect everyone and ensures the forest remains a safe place throughout the colder months.

Stay warm, stay safe, and enjoy the beauty of winter at Hainault Forest!