Top 11 Lakes around Quorndon

Beyond the well-known spots, Thornton Reservoir is a peaceful place with a 2.5-mile perimeter path, suitable for walkers and cyclists, and features a woodland and trout fishery. Watermead Country Park offers extensive nature reserves, lakes, and wetland habitats, perfect for wildlife observation and walks on its surfaced paths. The River Soar also forms part of Quorndon's eastern boundary, providing additional natural landscapes.

Yes, several lakes are family-friendly. Bradgate Park Deer Park is a popular attraction known for its deer. Cropston Reservoir also offers family-friendly views over the water. Additionally, Watermead Country Park, home to John Merrick's Lake, has hard-surfaced paths on its 'Red Route' that are suitable for pushchairs and shared with cyclists.

The lakes and reservoirs near Quorndon are rich in wildlife. Swithland Reservoir is an excellent spot for ornithologists, with sightings of cormorants, little egrets, great white egrets, mandarins, and peregrines. Watermead Country Park is a haven for nature lovers, where you can observe a variety of butterflies, moths, dragonflies, and damselflies in summer, which in turn attract birds and bats.

Yes, Thornton Reservoir features a hard-surface path around its perimeter that is suitable for disabled access. Similarly, the 'Red Route' around John Merrick's Lake in Watermead Country Park consists of hard-surfaced paths that are wheelchair accessible.

Many of the water bodies have historical significance. Swithland Reservoir was built around 1896, and some of its buildings, including the pumping station, are Grade II listed. Cropston Reservoir's construction involved purchasing land in 1867, with historical details about the Bradgate Estate and the building of a stone wall to separate it from the deer park. Thornton Reservoir was originally built in 1854.

The area offers a variety of outdoor activities. You can enjoy walking, cycling, and horse riding around Swithland Reservoir. Thornton Reservoir is popular for walking, cycling, dog walking, and ornithology, and also offers a trout fishery with small boats for hire. Watermead Country Park is known for walks on its surfaced paths and open water swimming. For hiking, you can explore routes like the 'Barrow Bridge – Barrow-upon-Soar Bridge loop' or the 'Hiking loop from Quorn', with more options available in the Hiking around Quorndon guide.

While direct access to the reservoir margins is limited, Swithland Reservoir can be viewed from public roads, particularly from The Ridings and Kinchley Lane. The area around the reservoir is popular with walkers, cyclists, and horse riders, offering scenic routes through the surrounding countryside and woodland. You can also catch sight of steam trains on the viaduct from certain viewpoints.

For Cropston Reservoir, toilets and parking are available at the Bradgate Park car park (Cropston). Specific parking details for other locations like Swithland Reservoir and Thornton Reservoir are generally available at designated visitor access points, often with visitor centers or information boards.

The best time to visit depends on your interests. For birdwatching, Swithland Reservoir is notable in winter for peregrine sightings. Watermead Country Park is excellent in summer for observing butterflies, moths, dragonflies, and damselflies. Generally, spring and autumn offer pleasant walking conditions with milder weather and beautiful scenery, while summer is ideal for open water swimming at Watermead Country Park.

Many areas around the lakes are dog-friendly. For example, Thornton Reservoir's perimeter path is suitable for dog walkers. However, specific rules may apply in certain nature reserves or protected areas, such as Bradgate Park Deer Park, where dogs might need to be kept on leads, especially near deer. Always check local signage for specific regulations.

Yes, Watermead Country Park is known for offering opportunities for open water swimming in its lakes. It provides a tranquil environment with extensive reedbeds and wetland habitats, making it a popular spot for those looking to enjoy this activity.