Top 20 Lakes around Sutton cum Duckmanton CP

While Sutton cum Duckmanton Civil Parish itself features a local fishing pond near Arkwright Town, the surrounding North East Derbyshire area and the wider Peak District offer a variety of water bodies. These include significant reservoirs like Linacre, Ogston, Ladybower, Derwent, and Howden, as well as nature reserve ponds such as those at The Avenue Washlands and Pleasley Pit Colliery and Nature Reserve.

Yes, several locations are ideal for families. The Linacre Reservoirs are known for their mostly flat walking routes through picturesque woodlands, making them suitable for all ages. Pleasley Pit Colliery and Nature Reserve also offers gravel trails and ponds, along with a cafe, making it a great family outing. Shirebrook Wood, a redeveloped former pit site with fishing ponds, provides gravel loops through woods that are also family-friendly.

For easy walks, the Linacre Reservoirs are an excellent choice, offering well-surfaced, mostly flat tracks. The paths around Pleasley Pit Colliery and Nature Reserve and Shirebrook Wood also provide accessible gravel loops suitable for gentle strolls. For more options, you can explore easy hiking routes like the 'New Bolsover Model Village – Carr Vale Pond loop from Bolsover' or 'Poolsbrook Lake – Poolsbrook Country Park Lake loop from Springwell Community College' on the Hiking around Sutton cum Duckmanton CP guide.

Many of the trails around the lakes and reservoirs in the region are dog-friendly. For instance, the Linacre Reservoirs are a popular spot for dog walkers, offering plenty of space and woodland paths. Always ensure dogs are kept under control, especially near wildlife or livestock, and check for any specific local restrictions.

The region has a rich industrial past. The Linacre Reservoirs were built between 1855 and 1904 to supply water to Chesterfield. Pleasley Pit Colliery and Nature Reserve is a former coal mine site, now a natural monument with a cafe and museum showcasing its history. Ogston Reservoir was created in 1958 by flooding a valley, covering the village of Woolley and a section of the Ashover Light Railway. The iconic Ladybower Reservoir in the Upper Derwent Valley also has a significant history, having involved the flooding of the villages of Derwent and Ashopton during its construction.

Yes, fishing is a popular activity in the area. Within Sutton cum Duckmanton CP, there is a local fishing pond near Arkwright Town. Further afield, Ogston Reservoir is a popular trout fishing lake. Additionally, Press Manor Fishing Lakes, located south of Chesterfield, offer dedicated trout, carp, and mixed fish coarse lakes with day tickets available. Shirebrook Wood also features fishing ponds.

Beyond walking, the area offers various outdoor activities. You can enjoy gravel biking on routes like the 'Trans Pennine Trail – Poolsbrook Country Park Lake loop from Chesterfield' or the 'Five Pits Trail – Pond at Silverhill Wood loop from Chesterfield' found in the Gravel biking around Sutton cum Duckmanton CP guide. Running is also popular, with trails such as the 'Carr Vale Pond – Stockley Trail loop from Bolsover' listed in the Running Trails around Sutton cum Duckmanton CP guide. Sailing is available at Ogston Reservoir.

Yes, some lake locations offer amenities. Pleasley Pit Colliery and Nature Reserve has a cafe on site. While specific pubs directly adjacent to all lakes aren't listed, many towns and villages surrounding these water bodies, such as Chesterfield, offer various dining options. For example, the 'Cafe With Outdoor Seating – Carr Vale Pond loop from Bolsover' is a hiking route that includes a cafe.

The Linacre Reservoirs are popular for their picturesque setting and surrounding woodlands, offering three reservoirs (Lower, Middle, and Upper) with easy, mostly flat walking routes. The area is known for its scenic beauty, especially in springtime when the woods are carpeted with bluebells. It's a great option for those seeking a gentle outdoor experience and is very family-friendly.

Yes, parking is generally available at popular lake destinations. For instance, there is a public car park on the northern edge of the woods of the Lower Reservoir at Linacre Reservoirs. Ogston Reservoir also has parking available. Holmebrook Valley Park, which features a lake, also has parking facilities.

The Upper Derwent Valley reservoirs, including Ladybower, Derwent, and Howden, are iconic for their stunning natural beauty and impressive engineering. Ladybower is famous for its distinctive Y-shape and spectacular dam overflows. Derwent Reservoir is known for its twin-towered dam, especially when water overspills after heavy rain. These reservoirs offer numerous walking and cycling trails amidst tranquil waters and surrounding woodlands, making them captivating destinations for outdoor activities and history enthusiasts.

The Avenue Washlands is a nature reserve located nearby, featuring ponds and wetlands. It's an excellent spot for nature lovers and birdwatchers, attracting a variety of wildlife including water voles and various bird species. Visitors can enjoy observing local flora and fauna in a redeveloped natural setting.

The lakes and reservoirs are beautiful year-round. Spring (April-May) is particularly lovely for seeing bluebells in the woodlands around Linacre Reservoirs. Summer offers pleasant weather for walking and outdoor activities. Autumn brings vibrant foliage, while winter provides a tranquil, often crisp, landscape for walks, though tracks can get muddy in wet weather.

Yes, many of the lake areas offer circular walking routes. The Linacre Reservoirs have well-established circular paths around the individual reservoirs and connecting them. The footpaths around Ogston Reservoir are also popular for circular walks, though some sections may involve roads or require combining with field paths for optimal views. The Upper Derwent Valley reservoirs also feature extensive networks of circular trails.

The diverse habitats around the lakes and reservoirs support a variety of wildlife. At Linacre Reservoirs, you might spot various bird species, and the woodlands are home to small mammals. The Avenue Washlands is particularly noted for attracting water voles and a wide range of bird species. The broader Peak District area is rich in biodiversity, offering opportunities for birdwatching and observing local flora and fauna.