Top 4 Lakes around Askern
Best lakes around Askern are characterized by a mix of natural and man-made water bodies, offering diverse recreational opportunities. The region features Askern Lake, a notable landmark known for its leisure activities and geological interest, including sinkholes. The landscape around Askern includes former colliery sites transformed into woodlands and ornamental lakes. These areas provide accessible trails and facilities for visitors.
Best lakes around Askern
- The most popular lakes is Cusworth Hall and Park, a man-made monument that includes a lake within its parkland. This Grade 1 listed building offers a museum, cafe, and microbrewery, with paid parking available from dawn till dusk.
- Another must-see spot is Highfields Lake, an ornamental lake located in the Woodlands wildlife park. Visitors can expect a tranquil setting, filled by the Pick Burn, which flows into the River Don.
- Visitors also love Askern Lake, a lake with on-site amenities. It features a cafe, making it a convenient stop for refreshments and relaxation by the water.
- Askern is known for ornamental lakes, former colliery lakes, and community park lakes. These offer a variety of settings to see and explore, from wildlife habitats to recreational boating areas.
- The lakes around Askern are appreciated by the komoot community, with 27 upvotes and 14 photos shared across the highlights.
Last updated: June 28, 2026
Cusworth Hall and Park
Highlight • Monument
The Cusworth Hall Museum is free and open Fridays and Sundays from 10:00 - 15:00.
The parkland is open all year with onsite paid parking open dawn till dusk.
There is a cafe and microbrewery in the buildings around the house.
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Highfields Lake
Highlight • Lake
wikiwand.com/en/Highfields_Lake
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Askern Lake
Highlight • Lake
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Bentley Pit Lakes
Highlight • Natural
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View of the Lakes at Thorpe Marsh Nature Reserve
Highlight • Natural
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Tips from the Community
Reclaimed land from the former Bentley Colliery, now the Bentley Community Woodland.
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Nice for a walk and food in tea rooms or a visit to the museum
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Cusworth Hall is a good place for a break. They've got a takeaway cafe with a yummy pizza and other refreshments. And a cheeky ride down the hill is so hard to resist 😈🤫
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Enjoy a peaceful walk through Thorpe Marsh Nature Reserve with pastures lined with hedgerows, ponds, lakes and small woodlands. With such varied habitats supporting a wide range of plants and animals you are guaranteed to see or hear something of interest.
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Highfields Lake is an ornamental lake in the Woodlands wildlife park at Highfields. It is filled by the Pick Burn, which then flows on to join the River Don as Bentley Mill Stream. The lake was originally built by the owners of Woodlands, a country house that lent its name to the model village built for the miners of Brodsworth Colliery. https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Highfields_Lake
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Visitors to this attractive woodland would never suspect it was situated on the former Bentley colliery. Positioned in the heart of urban Doncaster there is a stunning contrast between the bustling town centre and the quiet calm of the woodland and its lakes, almost as if you've been transported to the heart of the countryside
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Cusworth Hall was built between 1740 and 1744 by local landowner William Wrightson. It's a grade 1 listed building managed by Doncaster Council. The Cusworth Hall Museum is free and open Fridays and Sundays from 10:00 - 15:00. The parkland is open all year with onsite paid parking open dawn till dusk. There is a cafe and microbrewery in the buildings around the house.
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Lovely place to relax at side of lake, with a reasonable priced cafe, if this is closed the Flower shop cafe across the the road do excellent cake.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What recreational activities can I enjoy at Askern Lake?
Askern Lake, also known as Askern Boating Lake, offers a variety of activities. You can enjoy boating, with boat hire available, or go fishing, as angling is permitted from dawn till dusk (an EA rod license is required, but fishing is free). The lake is home to various fish species like Carp, Pike, Roach, and Mirror Carp. Night fishing is also possible. For families, there are toddler and junior play areas, and playing fields.
Are there family-friendly lakes around Askern?
Yes, several lakes around Askern are great for families. Askern Lake features play areas and picnic spots. Cusworth Hall and Park includes a lake within its grounds, offering a museum and cafe. Highfields Lake in Woodlands wildlife park provides a tranquil setting, and Bentley Pit Lakes are part of a community woodland, perfect for a family stroll.
What kind of wildlife can I expect to see around Askern's lakes?
The lakes around Askern are rich in wildlife. At Thorpe Marsh Nature Reserve, you can enjoy peaceful walks through varied habitats supporting a wide range of plants and animals. Askern Lake itself is known for its scenic beauty and local wildlife, including various fish species like Carp, Pike, Roach, and Mirror Carp.
Are there accessible trails or facilities for visitors with disabilities?
Yes, Askern Lake and its surrounding park are designed with accessibility in mind. Tarmac paths surround parts of the water, making it suitable for anglers with disabilities. On-site amenities also include toilet facilities.
Where can I find cafes or refreshments near the lakes?
Several lakes offer convenient refreshment options. Askern Lake has the Lakeside Café on-site, which is known for good value. Cusworth Hall and Park also features a cafe and even a microbrewery within its buildings, making it a great spot for a break.
What are the walking opportunities around Askern's lakes?
You can enjoy short walks around Askern Lake. For more extensive options, Bentley Pit Lakes are part of the Bentley Community Woodland, offering attractive woodland trails. Thorpe Marsh Nature Reserve provides peaceful walks through diverse habitats. You can also find various hiking routes in the area, such as the 'Bentley Woodland loop from Bentley' or 'Brockadale Nature Reserve loop from Kirk Smeaton'. Find more details on these routes in the Hiking around Askern guide.
Are there any historical or cultural sites near the lakes?
Yes, Cusworth Hall and Park is a significant historical site. This Grade 1 listed building, constructed between 1740 and 1744, houses the Cusworth Hall Museum, which is free to visit on Fridays and Sundays. The parkland itself is open all year.
What is the best time to visit the lakes around Askern?
The lakes around Askern can be enjoyed year-round. The parkland at Cusworth Hall and Park is open all year. For activities like boating and fishing at Askern Lake, warmer months might be more pleasant, but the scenic beauty and walking opportunities are available in all seasons.
What are the parking options available at the lakes?
Paid parking is available at Cusworth Hall and Park, open from dawn till dusk. For Askern Lake, there are convenient on-site amenities, and parking is generally available in the vicinity, though specific details on fees or locations should be checked locally.
Can I go running around the lakes in Askern?
Yes, there are running opportunities around Askern's lakes. For instance, you can find a 'Askern Lake loop from Askern' route. More running trails and their details can be found in the Running Trails around Askern guide.
Are there any unique natural features at Askern Lake?
Yes, Askern Lake has an interesting geological feature: it contains sinkholes. These appear as deeper water areas within the lake and are a result of gypsum dissolution in the region.
What is the origin of lakes like Highfields Lake and Bentley Pit Lakes?
Highfields Lake is an ornamental lake originally built by the owners of Woodlands, a country house. Bentley Pit Lakes are located on reclaimed land from the former Bentley Colliery, now transformed into the Bentley Community Woodland. These examples showcase a mix of natural and man-made water bodies in the region.
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