Best lakes around Edlington offer a variety of natural and recreational experiences. The area features bodies of water like Martinwells Lake, historically significant as a former clay pit, now maintained by community efforts. These lakes provide habitats for diverse wildlife and serve as focal points for outdoor activities. The landscape around Edlington includes natural reserves and parklands, integrating water features into accessible routes.
Last updated: June 17, 2026
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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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Lovely clear path, lots of nature, easy under foot.
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A fantastic area for nature enthusiasts that's rich in bird and wildlife. A mix of open water, wetlands and woodland, it's a year-round treat for any nature lover.
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The Lakeside area is designed to encourage people to use Doncaster Lakeside for a range of activities and there are a variety of trails there. The lake also has natural edges that supports two main reed beds, which play a part in maintaining healthy water conditions. The reed beds are important habitats for water birds, especially at nesting time.
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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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The lakes around Edlington are rich in biodiversity. At Martinwells Lake, you can observe newts, frogs, toads, ducks, coots, water hens, and swans. Great crested grebes breed there, and kingfishers, skylarks, and herons are often sighted. Sprotbrough Flash Nature Reserve is particularly known for its diverse bird and wildlife, offering lookout areas to observe an array of nature in its mix of open water, wetlands, and woodland.
Yes, several spots are great for families. Doncaster Lakeside is designed for a range of activities and features natural edges and reed beds that are important habitats for water birds. Cusworth Hall and Park offers extensive parkland, a lake, and a cafe, making it a pleasant destination for a family outing. The Amazon Lakes Cycle Path is also suitable for recreational family rides.
Martinwells Lake, originally known as the Brick Pond, has a rich history. It was one of three clay pits used to provide bricks for the construction of Yorkshire Main Colliery and local housing in the early 1900s. Additionally, Cusworth Hall and Park, with its Grade 1 listed building, offers a glimpse into local history, having been built between 1740 and 1744.
The area offers various outdoor activities. You can enjoy cycling on routes like the Amazon Lakes Cycle Path, which provides picturesque rides. For walking and nature observation, Sprotbrough Flash Nature Reserve has lovely clear paths. Fishing is a popular activity at Martinwells Lake, which is well-stocked with coarse fish.
Yes, there are several options for walks. Sprotbrough Flash Nature Reserve offers clear paths and lookout areas for nature enthusiasts. Martinwells Lake has cleared paths and repaired boardwalks, making it suitable for leisurely walks. For cycling and walking, you can explore routes like the Cycling around Edlington guide, which includes paths near lakes.
For refreshments, Cusworth Hall and Park has a cafe and microbrewery on-site. If you're looking for a traditional pub experience, The Boat Inn, Sprotbrough is a dog-friendly pub serving meals and drinks close to the canal waters, not far from some of the lake areas.
Yes, fishing is a popular activity, particularly at Martinwells Lake. It is a well-known fishing spot with 40 pegs available and is stocked with a diverse range of coarse fish, including carp, tench, bream, perch, roach, pike, and chub.
The Amazon Lakes Cycle Path is an excellent choice, linking Loversall to the iPort and Amazon distribution centre with a surfaced and lit path. This path offers picturesque rides around the lakes. You can find more cycling routes in the Cycling around Edlington guide.
Absolutely. Sprotbrough Flash Nature Reserve is a prime example, featuring a rich mix of open water, wetlands, and woodland. It's an excellent spot for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers, with several lookout areas to observe wildlife.
Many of the lake areas, like Sprotbrough Flash Nature Reserve, are a year-round treat for nature lovers. Doncaster Lakeside is noted to be better in summer due to its paved paths. For wildlife spotting, different seasons offer unique opportunities, such as swans raising their young in spring/summer at Martinwells Lake.
Martinwells Lake has benefited from community efforts to repair boardwalks and clear paths, enhancing accessibility. Sprotbrough Flash Nature Reserve also features lovely clear paths that are easy underfoot. For paved options, Doncaster Lakeside has paved paths, which are particularly good in summer.
Doncaster Lakeside is popular because it's designed to encourage a range of activities. It features natural edges and reed beds that are crucial habitats for water birds, especially during nesting season, contributing to a healthy aquatic environment. Its paved paths also make it suitable for various recreational uses.


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