Rutland Water — Attraction in Great Britain

I had never been here before so thought I'd go for a bike ride around and did a clockwise loop of Rutland Water starting from the Whitwell car park. I visited on a Saturday in March.

It was a nice open area with good views and the toilets and parking were perfectly adequate. I thought that the parking charges were OK (at least for the winter) and making the payment was easy. However, I did have a couple of issues that would prevent me from coming back.

The surface of the asphalt path to Rutland Sailing club (a bit further than Normanton) was excellent, the dirt tracks beyond this point not so much. I wouldn't recommend doing the entire circuit of Rutland Water unless you have a hybrid/mountain bike with reasonably chunky tyres. I did the route on a folding bike.

There was a lot of conflict between people walking and cycling - I couldn't even cycle past 2 people walking side by side without having to ring my bell to warn them because otherwise I'd have to pass them too closely. I don't want every single group of people walking to have to move out of the way for me and it would irritate me if I was in their position too. A few of the other reviews mention this (particularly on TripAdvisor). I went on a quiet day in March so I can't imagine what it's like in the summer!

There should be separate infrastructure for each user, rather than forcing different users together in the same narrow space and hoping for the best. A wider footpath and a separate Dutch style cycle path (ideally with red asphalt and centre line markings like a real Dutch cycle path) would improve the situation greatly for people walking and cycling. This setup works well everywhere in the Netherlands - they don't mix high volumes of people walking and cycling because of the conflict that it creates.

If this situation is remidied in the future then I...

Rutland Water is a fantastic destination offering a blend of natural beauty, recreational activities, and relaxation. Located in the heart of England's smallest county, Rutland Water provides a serene escape with something for everyone. The reservoir itself is stunning, surrounded by picturesque landscapes and abundant wildlife. It's a paradise for nature lovers and bird watchers, with the Rutland Water Nature Reserve offering opportunities to see a variety of bird species. For those seeking adventure, there are numerous outdoor activities available. The well-maintained trails are perfect for walking, cycling, and running, while the water sports center offers sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. There's also a dedicated area for fishing, making it an ideal spot for anglers. Families will find plenty to do, with playgrounds, picnic areas, and mini-golf. The Aqua Park, with its inflatable obstacle course, is a hit with kids and adults alike. The facilities at Rutland Water are excellent. There are several cafes and restaurants providing a variety of food and drink options, as well as picnic spots for those who prefer to bring their own. The visitor centers are informative, and the staff are friendly and helpful. Rutland Water is also home to several annual events, including bird fairs and triathlons, adding to its appeal. Whether you're looking for a day of adventure, a relaxing nature walk, or a family outing, Rutland Water is a top choice. Highly...

Amazing place! My Son, my grandson and myself spent a few days at Rutland Water. My son cycled round and my grandson and and I walked round looking at all the different birds and especially the Osprey’s. We were lucky enough be be at Rutland when the young Osprey chick fledged. All the staff were very helpful and informative even when they had finished for the day, they were all very enthusiastic and they wanted to make our visit as welcoming as possible. One guy, George helped us from the moment we got there. George was very excited and enthusiastic when my grandson was asking questions about the Ospreys, George shared his knowledge which made our day better than we had expected. We booked the evening Osprey boat trip which was fantastic and we were lucky enough to have George on board with us. All the crew were great and they created a great atmosphere on the boat giving everyone lots of information and spotting interesting sites to look at especially the Osprey’s. They had banter between them which made everyone feel relaxed. The crew were very professional and responsive to anyones questions, it was a great day and if you get the chance to go to Rutland Water you won’t be disappointed especially if you take the boat trip too … it made our day really special. Rutland Water is great to visit, very clean with lots of interesting things to do and see. Thank you to you all,...