Around Carsington Water

Planned in the 1960s and argued about well into the 1970s, Carsington Water reservoir was finally inaugurated by the Queen in 1992. Built in a shallow valley with a poor catchment area, the reservoir’s main supply is pumped from the River Derwent at Ambergate and conveyed 6.5 miles (10.4km) down a pipeline. When the Derwent’s water levels are low, water is pumped in the opposite direction. Early on in the walk you cross the huge dam, which holds back 7.8 billion gallons (35.5 billion litres) of water. When full the reservoir is 100ft (30m) deep covering an area the size of 700 football pitches.

A Reservoir For All

Severn Trent Water has built a state-of-the-art visitor centre, a sports and activity centre, a restaurant, shops and a sailing club. There’s plenty of information about their good conservation policies and clean water, but although you’re allowed to sail and canoe on the surface of the water you’re not allowed in it – that’s strictly for the wildlife. There are separate walking and cycling trails around the entire reservoir which, although coexistent in places, do have their own routes. Look for the orange footprint waymarker and you shouldn’t go wrong. At the northern end of the reservoir you have the choice of walking the lane through the villages of Hopton and Carsington, or staying on the traffic-free trail alongside the road. The advantage of the former is that it visits the only pub on the walk – the Miners Arms at Carsington. On summer weekends most of the car parks will be sporting refreshment kiosks or ice-cream vans as this is a popular destination for all manner of visitors.

Birdwatching at Carsington

Beyond Millfields, at the far side of the dam, the shoreline becomes more wooded and peaceful and you’ll have a better chance of enjoying the natural history of Carsington. However, there are dedicated bird hides on the north western shoreline towards the end of the walk, including ‘the watchtower’, built as an observation post during World War II and now a great vantage point for birders. Not far from the visitor centre is the wildlife centre, a well equipped hide with telescopes. You can also control a CCTV camera mounted on a small island nearby in order to get a different view of the birdlife. Wigeon, pochard and tufted ducks regularly winter at Carsington, while in the summer you will probably see great crested grebes. The large area of water also attracts migrants and passing rarities, including ospreys which regularly stop off on the journey to the mountains of the north.

From the visitor centre follow the popular, signposted route southwards past the children’s play area and sailing club to cross the huge dam. On the far side go left to visit the viewing area near the valve tower if you wish. Continue along the main route a little further before turning left into the car park and picnic site at Millfields.

Head out of the far end of the car park, following the orange footprint waymarkers for the walking route along the eastern shore of the reservoir. Go past the Stone Shelter with its unusual collection of wooden furnishings. When you reach a tarmac lane by Upperfields Farm turn left, then right for the continuation of the route.

The winding track now dips and climbs above the shore, diverting a long way around the inlet of Fish Trail Creek. At a fork go right for the walking route up through Big Covert and Hall Wood, carpeted with bluebells in the spring. Drop down to rejoin the cycle route, which then skirts an area of reedbed to reach the gate on to the main road at the northern end of the reservoir.

Unless you decide to continue on the trail between the road and the reservoir edge, past Brown Ale Bay to Sheepwash, cross the road carefully for a short track on the far side up to a lane. Turn left and follow the lane past the scattered cottages of Hopton, then the distinctive perimeter wall of Hopton Hall, all the way to the village of Carsington. 

Turn left just beyond the Miners Arms pub, through the gap between buildings, and left again beyond its car park on the far side. Turn right on to a narrow lane and at the bend by Wash Farm go straight ahead on a wide track to reach the main road once more. Cross with care and take the path to Sheepwash.    

At the far side of Sheepwash car park follow the waymarked walking route southwards, signposted to the visitor centre. You can divert to several bird hides along this stretch. Joining up with the cycle route once more, continue around several inlets until you reach the wildlife centre. Beyond here it’s a short walk back to the main visitor centre and the start of the walk.