Top 20 Lakes around Clowne
Best lakes around Clowne include Harlesthorpe Dam, a notable local fishing spot with two distinct bodies of water. This area offers diverse angling opportunities for various fish species. While Clowne itself is a smaller area, the surrounding region features several significant lakes within country parks and natural gorges. These locations provide a range of outdoor activities and natural exploration opportunities.
Best lakes around Clowne
- The most popular lakes is Rother Valley Country Park, a facilities that features four artificial lakes on the site of an old open-cast coal mine. It is a popular leisure destination with a network of well-maintained paths and a visitor centre.
- Another must-see spot is Creswell Crags: Gorge and Lake, a lake within a beautiful limestone gorge and world heritage site. Visitors can explore caves rich in natural history and learn about prehistoric animals and early human remains.
- Visitors also love Shirebrook Wood, a cycle_way with gravel loops through woods and past fishing ponds. This redeveloped former pit top site offers a mixture of mature broadleaf woodland, newly planted trees, and open meadows.
- Clowne is known for dams, country park lakes, and natural gorge lakes. The area provides a variety of water bodies to see and explore, from fishing spots to historical natural monuments.
- The lakes around Clowne are appreciated by the komoot community, with 71 upvotes and 28 photos contributing to their appeal.
Last updated: June 28, 2026
Rother Valley Country Park
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It's also a popular leisure destination with cable water skiing and a narrow-gauge railway as well as a network of well-maintained paths.
The visitor centre has information about the history of the site and the flood defence scheme. There are toilets and the Stables Cafe.
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Shirebrook Wood
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Rother Valley Country Park
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Creswell Crags: Gorge and Lake
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One of the caves is named after the legendary Robin Hood, who was often in the region. Today, a nearby visitor centre offers more information and guided walks around the area.
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Queen's Park Lake Wildfowl
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Tips from the Community
Busy at weekend and Evenings but overall lovely place with lots to do. Be careful of the water if you’re not used to wild swimming/ outdoor swimming. Great staff and a couple of cafe’s.
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The park was formerly a mixture of meadows and marshy bullrush beds before the open cast excavation started. At the eastern side of the lake stands the Bedgrave Mill courtyard, where the visitor centre is located displaying the flood defence map and the original mill mechanism "flour into grain" exhibition from when it was a water mill. There is also a craft centre and "The Stables" cafe.
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Queen's Park was opened in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. In its early days, the Park was a popular venue for rallies and demonstrations. When the Derbyshire Miners' Associatiion held their rally here at the end of the 1890s it had a festive appeal with swingboats, roundabouts and coconut shies. The Park has been restored, with a café, lake and miniature railway, as well as playing facilities for younger visitors. There is also a bandstand - sit and listen to a local brass band playing on some Sunday afternoons during the summer.
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Located between Mansfield and Bolsover, this picturesque woodland is rapidly developing into one of the most attractive wildlife sites in the region. With its mixture of mature broadleaf woodland, newly planted trees, large open meadows and a scenic wetland valley, Shirebrook Wood offers something for everybody.
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As a former pit top site, Shirebrook Wood has been reclaimed & redeveloped with large-scale planting of native shrubs and trees and the whole site has been totally landscaped, The Derbyshire side (West) has been turned into an Industrial Estate.
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After or before the Play Area take a walk all around the lake and read the information boards for some very interesting facts. Keeps the kids occupied :)
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A 740-acre (300 ha) country park on the site of an old open-cast coal mine. The site cost £4 million to remediate with the four artificial lakes filling the old extraction sites. The River Rother was so polluted that water from The Moss was used to fill the lakes. The reed beds and remediation process has cleaned up the Rother and the lakes and country park also act as a flood prevention scheme, holding water and managing the flow downstream. It's also a popular leisure destination with cable water skiing and a narrow-gauge railway as well as a network of well-maintained paths. The visitor centre has information about the history of the site and the flood defence scheme. There are toilets and the Stables Cafe.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main lake located directly in Clowne?
The primary lake located directly within Clowne is Harlesthorpe Dam. It's a notable spot, particularly for fishing enthusiasts, featuring two distinct bodies of water and a variety of fish species.
What kind of activities can I do at Harlesthorpe Dam?
Harlesthorpe Dam is well-known for its diverse fishing opportunities, catering to pleasure, match, and specimen anglers. You can find coarse, carp, and perch fishing there. Historically, it was also known as 'Bump Mill Pond' and is believed to have supplied water to a mill.
Are there family-friendly lakes around Clowne?
Yes, several lakes in the wider area offer family-friendly experiences. Rother Valley Country Park is a popular leisure destination with well-maintained paths, a visitor centre, and various activities. Creswell Crags: Gorge and Lake also has a playground and offers educational walks around the lake.
What historical or natural heritage sites are associated with lakes near Clowne?
Creswell Crags: Gorge and Lake is a beautiful limestone gorge and world heritage site. Its caves are rich in natural history, containing remains of prehistoric animals and early human presence in Britain. You can also visit Robin Hood's Cave within Creswell Crags.
Are there good walking or cycling routes near the lakes?
Yes, there are many options for walking and cycling. Rother Valley Country Park has a network of well-maintained paths. Shirebrook Wood offers gravel loops through woods and past fishing ponds, connecting to the Archeological Trail and Route 648. For more extensive routes, you can explore options like the 'Clowne Greenway – Poolsbrook Country Park Lake loop' for gravel biking or various road cycling routes around Clowne, which can be found in the Gravel biking around Clowne and Road Cycling Routes around Clowne guides.
What facilities are available at the larger country parks with lakes?
Rother Valley Country Park features a visitor centre with information, toilets, and the Stables Cafe. Creswell Crags has a visitor centre that offers more information and guided walks, along with cafes nearby. Queen's Park Lake Wildfowl in Chesterfield has a café, lake, miniature railway, and playing facilities.
What kind of wildlife can I expect to see around the lakes?
The lakes and surrounding woodlands are home to various wildlife. Shirebrook Wood is rapidly developing into an attractive wildlife site with mature broadleaf woodland and open meadows. At Creswell Crags, you can learn about prehistoric animals. Many lakes, like Queen's Park Lake Wildfowl, are popular for birdwatching.
Are there any lakes suitable for beginners or easy walks?
Yes, many of the country parks offer easy, well-maintained paths suitable for beginners. Rother Valley Country Park has a network of paths ideal for leisurely strolls. The walks around Creswell Crags: Gorge and Lake are also generally accessible, with information boards to keep visitors engaged.
What do visitors enjoy most about the lakes around Clowne?
Visitors appreciate the diverse experiences offered, from the angling opportunities at Harlesthorpe Dam to the historical and natural beauty of Creswell Crags. The well-maintained paths and facilities at places like Rother Valley Country Park are also highly valued for family outings and active leisure.
Can I find cafes or pubs near the lakes?
Yes, several locations offer amenities. Rother Valley Country Park has 'The Stables' cafe. There are cafes at Creswell Crags and Welbeck. Queen's Park Lake Wildfowl also features a café.
Is there a lake that was once an industrial site but has been redeveloped for recreation?
Yes, Rother Valley Country Park is a prime example. It's a 740-acre country park developed on the site of an old open-cast coal mine, with four artificial lakes filling the old extraction sites. Similarly, Shirebrook Wood is a redeveloped former pit top site.
Are there any lakes that are good for a full day out?
For a full day out, Rother Valley Country Park is an excellent choice, offering extensive paths, water sports, and a visitor centre. Creswell Crags: Gorge and Lake also provides a rich experience with its historical caves, lake walks, and visitor facilities.
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