Carsington Water — Attraction in Derbyshire Dales

Carsington has lots to occupy for hours, adventure play area, occasional extras such as bouncy castle and slide etc, bbq are allowed in the designated area only. There is a visitor shop and a couple of charity status shops to, ice cream parlour, small cafe and usually a free exhibition that varies. Plant Hunters Fair visit a couple of times a year, quality plants and friendly people who are happy to discuss plants and give advice, highly recommended. Dogs are welcome on leads and under control, don't forget the poop bags please. The Sail Restaurant serves excellent food at fair prices, great coffee, the balcony area outside is a great place to admire beautiful views all around. There is a lift to the restaurant which makes it accessible, wide doors to the balcony although it should be noted that a little help may be required to negotiate the seating inside if it's busy. Staff are welcoming and helpful, efficient even when it's busy with acceptable waiting times, thankyou :) Carsington is great for walkers and cyclists, (boat and cycle hire available) or those wanting to sit by the water and just breath, take a book, a picnic, take photos. Pay and display parking, all day charge at the time of writing is £5. This is an excellent facility and credit must be given to Severn Trent for the care given to it, we need water obviously, ST manage to provide us with a vital service but keep it sympathetic and continue to move forward at...

Nestled amidst serene landscapes and towering pines, the reservoir at Carsington Water is more than just a picturesque body of water—it's a sanctuary for the soul. From the moment you step onto its well-worn paths, you are enveloped in an atmosphere that encourages reflection and inner peace, making it an ideal place to reconnect with your true self.

The reservoir's tranquil waters mirror the sky in a way that invites contemplation. Each step along the shoreline, where the gentle lap of water against stone harmonizes with the rustle of leaves, feels like a meditation. The trails that wind around the reservoir are perfectly suited for those seeking solitude, allowing you to immerse yourself in nature's embrace, free from the distractions of everyday life.

One of the most profound aspects of this place is the opportunity it provides to walk in others' shoes. As you follow the paths that countless souls have tread before you, it’s easy to feel connected to a shared human experience. The natural beauty of the reservoir encourages a sense of empathy and understanding, as you realize that everyone who visits seeks something deeper—be it peace, clarity, or simply a moment...

Firstly would like to say this is an amazing place, so beautiful with diverse wildlife all around. It is perfect for cyclists, horse riders, bird watchers, romantic dates and picnic, joggers or if you would like to go for a gentle stroll. Be mindful the full circle track is about 10k ish so if you're not prepared to walk the full circle head back at some point. There are few car parks around. Millfields which is the priciest one at £4 per day, Sheepwash is the cheapest at £3 and than there's the visitor centre one. Use these for your satnav otherwise Google takes you on a private road near the lake. Now reason for the 4* is that you have to keep the doggies on a lead at ALL times, due to the wildlife, the sheep's and horses that are everywhere in the reservoir. Not sure about you guys but my doggies need to do zoomies for about 30min to release their energy and there's nowhere to do that as you just have to stick to the pathways. Having said that we will visit again just without the doggies for a good cycle. Because the routes are so clearly labeled even the turns...