A Visit to Carsington Water
Carsington Water is one of the Peak District’s most popular family friendly attractions. Set on the southeastern edge of the national park near Ashbourne, this 300 hectare reservoir offers walking trails, cycling routes, bird watching, fly fishing and a wide range of water sports. The on site leisure park features a visitor centre, restaurant, café, shops and children’s play area. Cycle tracks connect to the High Peak Trail and Tissington Trail for longer adventures. With stunning views across the Derbyshire Dales and abundant wildlife, Carsington Water makes a perfect Peak District day out for all ages.
The beautiful reservoir of Carsington Water lies on the edge of the Peak District near Ashbourne. It’s the ninth largest reservoir in England and covers a whopping 300 hectares (741 acres); 700 football pitches could fit on the surface! It’s a fabulous place to spend a day, being a perfect location for walking, cycling, bird-watching, fishing and a wide range of water sports.
The leisure park at Carsington Water was opened in 1992. Here you’ll find a large Visitor Centre, a Wildlife Discovery Centre, an excellent restaurant, a café with lovely views over the water, and a courtyard of small shops. There’s also an outdoor area suitable for picnics on summer days, and an outdoor play area for children.
There are a number of marked walking and cycling trails around the lake and through the park, as well as a cycle hire centre. The 1 mile trail out to Stones Island is a lovely walk, offering superb views across the water. The 3 mile cycle trail offers a well-made, level track that’s perfect for kids, while the 8 mile trail offers a little more challenge. The cycle tracks from Carsington Water also link up with the beautiful traffic-free routes of the High Peak Trail and the Tissington Trail if you wanted to extend your cycling day out.
Fly fishing for brown and rainbow trout is available from boats that can be hired from the Fishing Lodge at Carsington Water. There are also facilities for hiring kayaks, canoes, rowing boats, sailing boats and windsurfing equipment. The Centre is a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) recognised training centre, and also delivers British Canoe Union (BCU) courses.
Carsington Water is a renowned spot for bird-watching and there is a bird hide located just north of the Visitor Centre. Birds spotted at the site include kingfishers, little owls, little grebes, common terns, oystercatchers, common redshanks, buzzards and various species of geese. The open water and areas of native woodland provide a great habitat for a wide variety of animals and birds.
How Do I Get to Carsington Water?
Carsington Water is located between Wirksworth and Ashbourne on the south eastern edge of the Peak District National Park. The address for the Visitor Centre and the main car park is Big Lane, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, DE6 1ST.
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If the water sports and beautiful setting of Carsington Water have made you want to explore more, the Peak District offers many more wonderful reservoirs and attractions. The lovely town of Ashbourne is just a short distance away, while the Tissington Trail provides traffic-free routes through beautiful countryside. Hardwick Hall is a magnificent Elizabethan country house, and the beautiful village of Parwich lies nearby. Ladybower Reservoir in the Upper Derwent Valley offers spectacular walking and cycling around its shores. For more family fun, visit our Family Attractions Guide.
