Carsington Water or Carsington Reservoir in Derbyshire was opened in May 1992 by Her Majesty the Queen and has remained a very popular visitor attraction.
Carsington Water is owned and operated by Severn Trent Water and exists to store water pumped from the River Derwent at times of high rainfall, to store the water and return it to the river when the river level would otherwise be too low to allow water extraction for treatment further downstream.
Carsington Visitor Centre holds a permanent exhibition explaining the role of water in our daily lives, the history and purpose of the reservoir and the role Severn Trent plays in conservation. A range of information sheets and booklets are on offer to help you understand the site and make the most of the recreational facilities.
The recreation facilities available on site include:
Purpose built Visitor Centre with accessible toilets
Watersports, cycle hire, sailing club and fishing
Adventure playground
Water Rail outdoor clothing outlet, gift shops, book & craft shops
120 seater restaurant, outdoor café and kiosks
Picnic areas
Dogs allowed - if kept under control
Wheelchair friendly and mobility scooter hire
Free admission, a car parking charge applies
Carsington Water is home to local and migrating bird species all year round, which can be observed from the site’s bird-watching hides and wildlife centre.
For the more active the site has numerous cycle paths and trails, an adventure playground for the young and a full calendar of outdoor activities at the water sports centre. Bicycle hire is also available.
Carsington Water is licensed to perform civil weddings.
Carsington Water is open seven days a week from 10.00am (closing times vary-please check) Closed Christmas Day.
Address
Carsington Water Visitor Centre
Ashbourne
Derbyshire
DE6 1ST
Tel: 01629 540 696
A visit to Carsington Water is much more than a fun day out in the country. It offers a wealth of teaching opportunities supporting key curriculum themes in a number of areas. It also demonstrates the importance of water in our lives and the issues facing all young people as the world becomes more populated in the years to come.
To assist your visit to Carsington Water, we have developed some Discovery Packs for each of the four Key Stages. The packs offer support for planning a focussed half-day or full day visit to the reservoir. You can use the suggestions in the packs to help you plan your self guided group visit. So whether you are visiting from a school, a trip with the Brownies or Boy Scouts, or from a children’s holiday club there should be something for everyone. For more information see
www.moretoexperience.co.uk
Please visit Derbyshire and Peak District Photographs for many photos of Carsington Water
See also
Carsington Village
Wirksworth
Brassington Village
Hognaston Village
Holiday Accommodation near Carsington - Need somewhere to stay?
Swiers Farm House
This south facing Farmhouse sits at the heart of the tiny Peak District Village of Carsington,opposite the Village green and adjacent to the church & churchyard of St Margarets. The lush backdrop is Carsington pastures where sheep & cattle graze.
Sleeping 12 plus 3 This beautiful 6 bedroomed Grade II listed stone Farmhouse is approximately 300 years old with oak beams and stone mullions which all add to the original character and charm of the building, whilst the log burner creates a warmth and cosy atmosphere for those long winter days.
Also available onsite are 2 further cottages - Emily Barn, a beautiful stone barn which offers flexible accommodation for groups up to 15:- 13+2 (on sofa bed). There are modern assets such as under floor heating to provide comfort, combined with traditional farmhouse character such as original oak beams.
and
DAISY Cottage sleeping 2 in one King size bedded room and a good quality sofabed in the lounge.from £210 for the wekend great place for a romantic break away from it all.
View details
More accommodation can be found at
Accommodation in Derbyshire and the Peak District and
Peak District Accommodation
