Carsington Water

Welcome! We’re continuing to follow government guidance to make your visit safe and enjoyable. See our Covid-19 updates page for the latest information (link below). In line with government legislation, we ask that all visitors, unless exempt, continue to wear a face covering in our shop. Please also #RespectProtectEnjoy the special wildlife here and each other, by keeping to the paths, being mindful of other people’s space, following signage on-site and directions from our friendly team. Thank you.

Address: RSPB Shop, Unit 1, Carsington Water Visitor Centre, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, DE6 1ST

Grid ref: SK241515

What3Words: uncouth.orders.protected

Covid-19 updates for RSPB nature reserves

Owned and managed by Severn Trent Water, Carsington Water is a large reservoir surrounded by wildflower meadows and native woodlands, ponds and reedbeds. Explore on your own or get some birdwatching advice from our staff in the RSPB shop, where you can watch for buzzards, kingfishers and lapwings.

Plan your visit

Our RSPB shop is located in the courtyard here at Carsington Water. We are open as follows:

April-September: daily, 11am-5pm.
October-March: daily, 11am-4pm.

Festive opening times

Christmas Eve: open, 11am-4pm.
Christmas Day: closed.
Boxing Day: open, 11am-4pm.
New Year’s Eve: open, 11am-4pm.
New Year’s Day: open, 11am-4pm.
All other days in the festive period are open our usual winter opening hours as above.

Other facilities: Carsington Water is owned by Severn-Trent Water. Please check their website for opening times of other facilities at this site.

Free entrance to RSPB members: Yes

Adults: Free, but donations are very welcome.

Children: Free, but donations are very welcome.

Car park cost

This is not an RSPB-run car park, so there is unfortunately no free parking for RSPB members.

Please see Severn Trent Water's car parking information for details of parking charges at this site.

Facilities

Visitor centre
Car park
Toilets
Accessible toilets
Baby changing
Pushchair friendly
Café
Picnic area
Viewing point
Shop

Accessibility

How to get here

By train

Matlock Bath is the closest station, about 6 miles away. You can catch a bus from there to Carsington.

By bus

Buses run to the Carsington Water car park from Ashbourne, Wirksworth, Matlock and Chesterfield.

By road

The visitor centre is off the B5035 between Ashbourne and Wirksworth. Look out for the brown and white 'Carsington Water' signposts throughout the local area.

Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.

Get directions from Google Maps

View on What3Words

RSPB reserves on Google Earth

Contact Carsington Water

RSPB Shop, Unit 1, Carsington Water Visitor Centre, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, DE6 1ST
carsington.water@rspb.org.uk
01629 541842

What will you see?

Our star species

Buzzard

Listen for their mewing calls, or keep an eye out for them as they soar overhead on sunny days.

Great crested grebe

Watch the amazing courtship ritual of great crested grebes on the open water in spring.

Kingfisher

Spend time in the hides and you may be rewarded with an unforgettable kingfisher encounter.

Lapwing

In spring, lapwings breed here. Visit then and you'll see their weird and wonderful displays.

Tufted duck

This diving duck is a common breeding bird here. Look out for broods of brown ducklings in late spring and summer.

Get great views of ducklings from the Severn Trent Wildlife Centre. Look out for kingfishers catching fish for their young. As the weather starts to warm up, cycle or walk the eight miles around the reservoir.

Over summer, you might spot a buzzard soaring across the reservoir. The meadows are illuminated with wildflowers such as bee orchids, yellow rattle and buttercups. You can also go sailing on the Severn Trent reservoir.

In autumn, watch out for flocks of floppy-winged lapwings flying overhead and little grebes on the reservoir.

Watch out for scarcer birds like the great northern diver, which should be on the coast.

About Carsington Water

Habitat

Carsington Water boasts a range of wildlife habitats from ancient hedgerows, species-rich wildflower meadows and native woodlands, to pond and scrapes, reedbeds and contains carefully-managed islands.

Conservation

Carsington Water is owned and managed by Severn Trent Water. Since its construction, there have been more than 215 bird species and more than 30 mammal species recorded.

Site information

Carsington Water is a large reservoir.

Activities and events

Activities for children and families

For more information on events and to book tickets, please visit events.rspb.org.uk/carsingtonwater

Leisure activities

There are extensive opportunities for outdoor activities including cycle hire, picnic areas, a climbing wall, adventure playground and sailing club.

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Carsington Water