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Places To Visit / Carsington Water
Officially opened in May 1992 by Her Majesty the Queen, it is now England's ninth largest reservoir. It has progressed to become one of the favourite leisure venues in Derbyshire, and has since its opening won numerous awards. So why not put aside a whole day to fully enjoy the range of facilities, activities and natural beauty that Carsington Water has to offer.
History
The valley in which Carsington reservoir is now situated has been occupied since around 2000 BC. A Bronze Age burial mound was discovered near to what is now the Visitor Centre and excavations in 1986 turned up human remains, flint knives and scrapers.
In Roman times, the area to the north was an important lead mining centre, and two Roman sites were discovered before the reservoir was built. These settlements at were abandoned not long after the end of the 4th century. The valley remained an agricultural area, mainly for pasture farming, until the reservoir was built in 1979. However, the importance of water is still reflected in the famous Derbyshire practice of well-dressing, possibly dating back to pre-Christian times.
Water has always played an important role in the history of the Carsington area. The local landscape is largely shaped by water, Ashbourne is renowned for its mineral water, Matlock Bath developed around its spa, and Arkwright's water-powered mill at Cromford revolutionised the textile industry.
The site was one of seven originally considered by Government. It was given the approval because it was least disruptive to the life of the local community and the availability of stone from local quarries for dam building and shoreline protection.
Work began 1979, after much planning, but in 1984 part of the original dam collapsed, at which point it was levelled to its foundations. In 1989 work on the new design began and by 1992 it was fully re-opened.
Whilst Carsington Water was being built, great lengths were taken to limit the impact of construction on the surrounding environment. The area surrounding the reservoir has been sensitively landscaped to provide good access and with conservation in mind. Some half a million trees and shrubs have been planted on the site and have matured considerably fitting naturally into the surrounding landscape.
The woodlands are professionally managed to maximise their potential for wildlife and the landscape. In 1995, Severn Trent Water received a 'Forestry Centre of Excellence' award for using 'the highest standards of woodland management'.
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Facilities
The Visitor Centre can cater for many different events and is home to the 'Go with the Flow' exhibition, an interactive display that shows how Severn Trent Water delivers its water supplies to the local areas.
The Education Centre is open to every school in the area. It is staffed by a fully qualified teacher and is based on the National Curriculum - so pre-book now for a full day programme of educational opportunities.
There are numerous shops on site that cater for everybody, selling a wide variety of food, gifts, souvenirs, books, clothing and much more.
- The Storehouse offers you a wide and diverse range of quality local and continental foods.
- The Goldeneye offers a wide range of binoculars, telescopes and birdfeeders.
- Courtyard Kiosk is the place to go for quick snacks and light bites.
- Main Sail Restaurant and Waterside Café provide excellent food at very reasonable prices.
There are designated areas, in all three car parks, set aside for barbecuing; for the more adventurous amongst you.
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Activities
Carsington Water offers a wide range of activities for the whole family, such as:
- Bird Watching
- Canoeing
- Coarse Fishing
- Game Fishing
- Cycling
- Horse Riding
- Sailing
- Walking
- Water Skiing
Fly fishing for brown trout has been a feature of Carsington Water since the day of its opening. The fishery office has permits, licences and a selection of tackle. There is fly fishing tuition, to suit everyone, from beginners to those who want to improve their technique.
The Wildlife Centre boasts two bird hides, which enables visitors to understand and study the variety of wildlife in the area, but in particular to observe the birdlife that resides at or visits the reservoir itself.
There is a watersports centre and a sailing club offering the hire of canoes, sailing dinghies, and windsurfers, etc. Instruction and the sale and hire of sailing equipment are available, so to are launching facilities for your own dinghy or windsurfer.
There are mountain bikes for hire and sale with many footpaths and bridleways to explore. Alternatively, why not take the tour on horseback or Shank's Pony, with regular guided walks throughout the year.
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Map
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Useful Numbers
Visitor Centre - (01629) 540696
Water Sports - (01629) 540478
Mainsail Restaurant - (01629) 540363
Cycle Hire - (01629) 540478
Ranger Service - (01629) 540696
Education Centre - (01629) 540696
Trout Fishing - (01629) 540478
Sailing Club - (01629) 540609
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