150 Lake/ River/ Ponds to Explore in England

Daneshill Lakes is an area of restored and flooded gravel pits that now provides a home to a diverse range of wildlife. The gravel pits themselves have been flooded to create an open water habitat surrounded by willow woodland. There's wetlands, woodland, grassland, flowering plants and lots of wildlife to look out for on the site. Look out for grebes, swans, willow warbler, whitethroat, and blackcap on your walk.

Derwent Reservoir is a reservoir on the River Derwent, on the border between County Durham and Northumberland, in England. It is west of Consett. It is one of the biggest inland waters in England. It also hosts a sailing club, which holds many events throughout the year, including windsurfing, sailing, running, and triathlons. The area around the reservoir hosts the annual Tour of the Reservoir cycle race.

Derwent Reservoir is the middle of three reservoirs in the Upper Derwent Valley in the north of Derbyshire, England. It lies approximately 10 miles from Glossop and 10 miles from Sheffield. The River Derwent flows first through Howden Reservoir, then Derwent Reservoir, and finally through Ladybower Reservoir. One of the iconic attractions surrounded by nature and it is a nice area to relax too.

Derwentwater, at 3 miles long, 1 mile wide, and 72 feet deep, is just a short stroll from Keswick town along well-maintained footpaths. The lake is very much a landscape of moods, varying from the dramatic waves splashing against Friar’s Crag when driven by southerly gales, to the absolute mirror-calm of early mornings. One of the iconic locations where you can spend some time and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Dorney Lake is a purpose-built rowing lake in England. It is near the village of Dorney, Buckinghamshire, and is around 3 km (2 miles) west of Windsor and Eton, close to the River Thames. Open to the public all year round, come and experience the awe inspiring 2,200m Olympic Standard Lake or explore the 400 acres of Arboretum Parkland boasting over 30,000 trees of both native and exotic species.

Dovedale is a beautiful valley and known for the River Dove and its impressive limestone ravines, but the most iconic part of a trip to Dovedale has to be the picturesque stepping stones. The geology of Dovedale consists largely of limestone rock, which over the years has been cut into craggy rock pinnacles and caves, creating one of Britain’s most beautiful landscapes.

Dovestone Reservoir lies at the convergence of the valleys of the Greenfield and Chew Brooks above the village of Greenfield, on Saddleworth Moor in Greater Manchester, England. The reservoir is on the western edge of the Peak District National Park. It supplies drinking water to the surrounding area and is a tourist attraction, providing several walks amongst picturesque landscapes.

Draycote Water is a 240-hectare reservoir and country park near the village of Dunchurch, 3.75 miles south of Rugby in Warwickshire, England, owned and operated by Severn Trent Water. It draws its water from the River Leam, and supplies drinking water to Rugby and Coventry. It is named after the nearby hamlet of Draycote.

Drayton Reservoir is a reservoir in Daventry, Northamptonshire, England. This Reservoir is a feeder reservoir for the Grand Union Canal. When water is required for the canal the water level at Drayton can drop by 30 cm or more in a day. Drayton Reservoir was controlled by British Waterways until their responsibilities for waterways in England and Wales were transferred to the Canal & River Trust and is home to Rugby Sailing Club.

The Driffield Navigation is actually made up of a number of linked waterways situated in East Yorkshire to the north of the Humber. The main part of the route is the River Hull while at the northern end is Frodingham Beck and the Driffield Canal. The navigation gradually became more profitable, and although railways arrived at Driffield in 1846, the navigation continued to prosper and increase its traffic until the 1870s, after which there was a gradual decline.

Dunorlan Park was originally a 78-acre landscape garden of a grand mansion built by the Yorkshire-born merchant Henry ReedIt was a special place where everyone can enjoy a richly varied Victorian garden, meadows, and wildlife, as well as the amenities of a modern park. There’s plenty to do besides admire the grounds, however – the park has a putting green, an events field, and a welcoming cafe, and, in the summer, boating takes place on the lake. There are also so many things to see and do here.

Earlswood Lakes, a series of canal reservoirs, created in the Imperial period to serve the Stratford upon Avon canal. A pumping station survives, but the engine has been removed from the building. They still supply the canal, and also provide leisure facilities, including sailing, fishing and walking. The northern banks of the lakes form the county boundary with the West Midlands.

Eccup reservoir is a reservoir in Alwoodley, a suburb of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It was first constructed in 1843 and later expanded. The open water area is 91 hectares, making it largest area of water in West Yorkshire. The reservoir and the surrounding woodlands are both Sites of Special Scientific Interest and it attracts a lot of tourists to this area.

Edgbaston Reservoir, originally known as Rotton Park Reservoir and referred to in some early maps as Rock Pool Reservoir, is a canal feeder reservoir in Birmingham, England, maintained by the Canal & River Trust. It is situated close to Birmingham City Centre and is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation. The reservoir is surrounded by woodland and grassland. Walkers and joggers can enjoy the approximately 2.8 km path around the reservoir.

Ennerdale is the most westerly of the lakes, and the most remote, so it offers, even in high season, a place to escape. It is a deep glacial lake, 2.5 miles long 3/4 mile wide and 148 feet deep. It is a reservoir used for drinking water to supply the surrounding towns and villages. To the west of the lake lies the hamlet of Ennerdale Bridge, consisting of two pubs and a few houses. It is close to the port of Whitehaven.

Errwood Reservoir is a drinking-water reservoir in the Peak District National Park, Derbyshire, close to the counties of Cheshire and Staffordshire. It was situated in a naturally beautiful location and it provides drinking water for the town of Stockport and its surrounding areas, and it holds 4,215 million liters.

A beautiful natural 280-acre private water situated in the heart of the English Lake District with excellent facilities for boat or bank fishing. The lake has a mean depth of 6.9m, covers an area of 0.96km² and its drainage area forms part of the larger Windermere catchment. It is designated both as a Natural England Site of Special Scientific Interest and as a Ramsar Convention site on account of its diverse macrophyte community and the well developed hydrosere at the northern end of the lake.

Everdon Stubbs is an ancient woodland with a mix of English and sessile oak, lowland birch, sweet chestnut and sycamore. Bluebells and rare wild daffodils provide colour in spring. It is described by Natural England as an important site for fungi, and there is a diverse range of breeding birds. One of the iconic attraction where you can rejuvinate your mind and body in the middle of greenery.

Eyebrook Reservoir is a jewel hidden in one of the prettiest parts of England. Surrounded by rolling arable fields, pasture land, spruce, pine and willow trees. This large reservoir straddles the border between Leicestershire and Rutland. Access is limited but good views of the northern end are available from the road. It was built between 1937 and 1940 by damming the Eye Brook and the site now covers around 200 hectares.

Fairhaven Lake is a lovely area on the seafront, where you can enjoy walks, fresh air and watching the wildlife. Surrounded by beautiful gardens and open green spaces, it’s where the Irish Sea meets the estuary of the River Ribble. In Autumn the lake is a very busy stopping off area for migrating birds and there’s a popular RSPB Centre which is free to visit where you can find out about the latest sightings.