Water for life and leisure

 
 
Sailing on Rudyard LakeSailing on Rudyard Lake  
 
The Peak District boasts several large reservoirs.  They hold water for millions of people.  And they offer you the chance for walking, cycling and much more besides in spectacular scenery.
 
Carsington Water supplies water to Derby, Leicester and Nottingham.  Here you can walk or cycle a circular route right around the reservoir.  For the more adventurous, windsurfing boards are available to hire.  For the angler, there is a choice of fishing from land or boat. 
 
LapwingsLapwings 
 
The wildlife centre provides birders with a fabulous indoor viewing area of the wildfowl.  In winter, ducks, geese and lapwings arrive from the north.  In spring, the little ringed plover and spotted flycatcher visit.
 
For information and events, contact Carsington Water.
Tel. 01629 540696
 
 
Tittesworth reservoir is situated just north of Leek with the impressive Roaches hills as its backdrop.  Its waters supply Leek and Stoke.  The visitor centre has a gift shop and restaurant and there’s a nature trail around the reservoir.  There’s also an adventure playground, bird hides and a wonderful sensory garden.
 
For information and events, contact Tittesworth reservoir.
Tel. 01538 300400
 
Tittesworth reservoir and RoachesTittesworth reservoir and Roaches  
 
The Upper Derwent Valley holds a series of three magnificent reservoirs built at the beginning of the 1900s.   Their waters supply Sheffield, Derby, Leicester and Nottingham.
 
A picture of the River DerwentA picture of the River Derwent
 
Constructing Ladybower Dam was controversial, because two villages were destroyed in the process.  When it was finished in 1943, Derwent was the largest reservoir in Britain.
 
The RAF's famous Dam Busters practised their low-level flying here in 1943, perfecting their delivery of Barnes Wallis's new 'bouncing bombs', designed to attack German dams.
 
Visit the information centre at Fairholmes, hire cycles or take a woodland walk along the reservoirs.  To find out more, tel. 01433 650953.
 
Other reservoirs to visit include the Goyt Valley near Buxton, Longdendale near Glossop and Dovestones near Oldham (which all supply the Manchester area), and Langsett, which supplies nearby Sheffield.