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Staffordshire

Dunston

Top 7 Lakes around Dunston

Best lakes around Dunston, an urban area within Gateshead, UK, offer diverse natural and recreational opportunities. The region features a notable local nature reserve with a pond, alongside several other lakes and reservoirs in the wider Tyne and Wear area. Visitors can explore sites ranging from ecologically significant wetlands to popular fishing destinations and scenic park environments. These bodies of water provide opportunities for wildlife observation, angling, and peaceful escapes within a varied landscape.

Best lakes around Dunston

  • The most…

Last updated: June 30, 2026

Monkey Trail, Cannock Chase

Highlight • MTB Park

Really nice trails. Possibly only suitable for the bravest of beginners due to the variety of obstacles. Great chance to fine tune your mountain bike skills both on uphill and down hill courses

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Fairoak Pools

Highlight • Lake

Just beautiful to watch the sunshine on the water. To sit in peace in the sunshine and take it all in.

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Stony Brook Pools

Highlight • Natural

Enjoy a moment on the footbridge to hear the rushing water beneath.

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A picturesque location at the woodland's edge, perfect for pausing and savouring the beauty of the surroundings and what Cannock Chase AONB has to offer.

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Reedy Pool

Highlight • Forest

This isn't showing on the map as I tried to discover what the name of it is. Maybe it dries up considerably in warmer months? It has quite a rustic …

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Popular around Dunston

MTB Trails around Dunston

Running Trails around Dunston

Road Cycling Routes around Dunston

Hiking around Dunston

Gravel biking around Dunston

Cycling around Dunston

Tips from the Community

Richard
July 1, 2025, Fairoak Pools

may need to take detours due to festival dismantal or no access to other routes minor issue but amazing walk

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Lovely place to stop mid ride to take in the scenery.

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Where do you park?

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A picturesque location at the woodland's edge, perfect for pausing and savouring the beauty of the surroundings and what Cannock Chase AONB has to offer.

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having just been in the area for 3 days and ridden all of these: Perry's blue, a new route post Commonwealth games, from the Birches visitor centre, is suitable for even the newest of MTB'ers - there is nothing technically hard. But there are some really fun berms even for experienced to enjoy and it has some good Red optional diversions as well. Follow the Dog is the next one up - a "light and fruity middling" Red - whilst some sections are steep, some are technical, some are loose/narrow/twisty - none are all 3 are at the same time. Suitable as a first time Red. And finally, Monkey is a proper hard red - some brutal sequential switchback climbs (Lung Buster), adverse camber rocky drops verging to "very dark oaky" red (Tom/Dick/Harry on Original Monkey). And the parts that are actually marked black are verging on Danny MacAskill.... Definitely not one for a first red.

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A gorgeous spot to rest on the blue route by the pool with a bench. If you sit here for long enough you might catch a sighting of the kingfisher on the hunt or fish coming to the surface to look for bugs.

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New additions to trails have opened in the last month or so! (May 2021) The blue has added some nice sections that give opportunity for progression with some easy berms and pump sections. The red some new jumps, berms and rock gardens at the start near the trail centre and birches valley car park

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Dayle
August 9, 2020, Fairoak Pools

Fantastic spot for a picnic or lunch. Or even to stop and sit down on the various benches around. Be warned, it can get busy as it is a hot spot of cannock chase.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of wildlife can I observe at lakes near Dunston?

Dunston (Acer) Pond Local Nature Reserve is an excellent spot for wildlife. You can see various breeding waterfowl like Mute Swans, Mallards, Little Grebe, Tufted Duck, Coot, and Moorhens. The pond also supports Frogs, Toads, Palmate Newts, Smooth Newts, Three-spined Sticklebacks, and numerous invertebrates such as the Great Diving Beetle and various damselflies.

Are there any nature reserves around Dunston's lakes?

Yes, Dunston (Acer) Pond Local Nature Reserve is located directly within Dunston. It's a significant ecological site known for its rich biodiversity within an urban setting, offering a peaceful escape and opportunities for birdwatching and observing local wildlife.

Which lakes near Dunston are good for fishing?

Stargate Pools, consisting of Stargate Pond and Tilcon Pond, are popular fishing destinations. Stargate Pond is known for specimen fish like carp over 25lb, tench, bream, and chub, as well as pike and eels. Tilcon Pond also holds carp, tench, bream, and chub. Additionally, the Angel of the North Fishing Lakes, located nearby in County Durham, offer two mixed coarse lakes and a dedicated carp lake in a scenic farmland setting.

Are there family-friendly lakes or parks with water features in the Dunston area?

Saltwell Park in Gateshead features a boating lake, offering recreational opportunities within a picturesque park environment that includes play areas, making it a popular destination for families. While not a natural lake, it provides a great family outing.

What types of fish can I expect to catch at Stargate Pools?

At Stargate Pond, you can expect to catch specimen carp, tench, bream, chub, quality roach, rudd, perch, pike, and eels. Tilcon Pond offers carp, tench, bream, chub, roach, rudd, ide, crucian carp, and perch.

Are there opportunities for water-based activities further from Dunston?

Yes, Derwent Reservoir, though further afield, is a significant body of water bordering County Durham and Northumberland. It offers extensive opportunities for water-based activities and enjoying scenic landscapes. More information can be found on Wikipedia.

What outdoor activities can I do near the lakes around Dunston?

You can find various outdoor activities nearby. For running, explore routes like the 'Running loop from Dunston' or 'Shutt Hill Lock loop from Penkridge'. Hiking options include 'Park loop from Stafford' or 'The Boat loop from Penkridge'. Cycling enthusiasts can enjoy routes such as 'Newport to Stafford Greenway' or 'Isabel Trail'. You can find more details on these activities in the respective guides: Running Trails around Dunston, Easy hikes around Dunston, and Cycling around Dunston.

Are there hiking trails near these lakes?

Yes, there are several hiking trails available. You can explore easy hikes like the 'Park loop from Stafford' (3.9 km) or 'The Boat loop from Penkridge' (3.9 km). For more options, refer to the Easy hikes around Dunston guide.

Can I go cycling around the lakes near Dunston?

Absolutely. There are various cycling routes, including the 'Newport to Stafford Greenway – Shropshire Union Canal loop' (47.7 km, moderate) or shorter, easier options like the 'Bike loop from Coppenhall' (19.7 km). Find more cycling routes in the Cycling around Dunston guide.

What do visitors enjoy most about the lakes around Dunston?

Visitors appreciate the diverse natural and recreational opportunities. This includes the rich biodiversity of Dunston (Acer) Pond, the excellent fishing at Stargate Pools and Angel of the North Fishing Lakes, and the family-friendly environment of Saltwell Park with its boating lake. The region offers peaceful escapes and opportunities for wildlife observation and various outdoor activities.

Are there any specific regulations for fishing at Stargate Pools?

Stargate Pools are popular fishing destinations. Night tickets are available after a year's membership, indicating that specific rules and membership requirements are in place. It's advisable to check with the local fishery for full details on permits and regulations before planning your visit.

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Still not found your perfect lake around Dunston? Check out the guides of these regions to see even more beautiful places.

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