Staunton Harold Reservoir Walks

A host of walks and wildlife-spotting opportunities await you on a visit to Staunton Harold reservoir. Created in 1964 to provide drinking water for communities in Leicester and the East Midlands, the reservoir was developed from one of six ponds on the neighbouring National Trust Calke Abbey estate. Today, Staunton Harold reservoir is managed by Severn Trent and the National Trust.

Below are two short scenic walks for you to enjoy, allowing you to explore some of the wildlife that call the reservoir area home.

Snowdrop Trail, 0.75mi

Dimminsdale Nature Reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) famous for its spectacular display of snowdrops. Visit in late winter or early spring to see the white carpet on the woodland floor that heralds the change in seasons. The remains of a number of lime kilns hint at the site’s industrial heritage – limestone and lead mining took place here until the end of the 1800s.

This circular walk includes steps, styles, boardwalks and bridges, so is not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The walk is accessed from the Spring Wood car park.

Wildflower Walk, 1.5mi

This scenic trail starts at the visitor centre and leads through the woodland from the southern end of the car park, opening up onto the reservoir and through the wildflower meadows. Visit between April and September to enjoy the flowers in different stages of bloom, and delight in the swooping swallows hunting low as the meadow comes alive with insects in the summer months.

This trail is mostly level, with no steps or styles, and a tarmac or crushed stone path for easy access.

The paths are multi-purpose – please share with care.

Please keep dogs on leads for their own safety and to avoid disturbance to wildlife.

Collect your orienteering maps from the information point.