Top 4 Lakes around Kelmarsh

The most popular lakes and reservoirs include Pitsford Water, known for its facilities and accessible garden, and Pitsford Water at Brixworth Country Park, which offers various activities like cycling and walking. Visitors also appreciate Ravensthorpe Reservoir Weir for bird-watching and its historical significance.

Yes, several lakes are great for families. Pitsford Water features a children's play area and open grass for picnics. Pitsford Water at Brixworth Country Park offers a gnome trail and scavenger hunt, alongside cycling and walking. Additionally, Welford and Sulby Reservoirs and the Lakeside Picnic and Birdwatching Spot are also considered family-friendly.

You can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. Cycling is popular around Pitsford Water at Brixworth Country Park, where you can also walk and fish. For more cycling options, explore the gravel biking routes or road cycling routes around Kelmarsh. Walking is a primary activity at most lakes, including Ravensthorpe Reservoir Weir and the tranquil Lakeside, Wilderness, and Woodland Walks at Kelmarsh Hall.

For a scenic reservoir walk, consider Welford and Sulby Reservoirs, where a loop of Welford Reservoir is an easy walk from nearby Welford. Ravensthorpe Reservoir Weir also offers pleasant walking opportunities and bird-watching.

Yes, Pitsford Water is noted for its accessible garden with raised beds, making it suitable for visitors with mobility needs. The main walking/cycle path around the water is also generally accessible.

The region's lakes often have historical ties. For instance, Ravensthorpe Reservoir Weir was built in 1890 to supply water to Northampton. The ornamental lake at Kelmarsh Hall is an integral part of the Grade II* listed gardens and parkland of a grand Palladian house dating back to the 1730s, offering scenic beauty within a historically significant estate. Welford and Sulby Reservoirs were built to supply water to the Grand Union Canal.

Yes, the lakes are excellent for wildlife spotting. Ravensthorpe Reservoir Weir is a good spot for bird-watching. The Lakeside Picnic and Birdwatching Spot is a regular hang-out for geese, swans, and even rarer species like the ring-necked duck and common crane.

At Pitsford Water, you'll find a cafe, public toilets, and a bike shop offering bike hire. Pitsford Water at Brixworth Country Park has a visitor centre and a restaurant. Many areas also feature open grassed areas perfect for picnics.

Yes, the ornamental lake at Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens is a significant feature of the Grade II* listed gardens. It offers picturesque views amidst meticulously designed gardens, including formal and informal areas, and contributes to the romantic setting for events.

The gardens at Kelmarsh Hall, which include the ornamental lake, are celebrated for their 'relaxed charm' and 'haphazard luxuriance,' suggesting they are beautiful throughout the growing seasons. For walking and outdoor activities, spring and summer offer pleasant weather, while autumn provides beautiful foliage. Winter walks can also be tranquil, especially around the reservoirs.

Absolutely. Pitsford Water at Brixworth Country Park allows visitors to cycle around the lake. For more extensive cycling adventures, you can explore various gravel biking, road cycling, and general cycling routes that pass by or near the lakes in the Kelmarsh area.

The Lakeside Picnic and Birdwatching Spot is an idyllic location specifically highlighted for picnics, offering lovely views and opportunities to observe local birdlife. Many of the lakes, such as Pitsford Water, also have open grassed areas perfect for spreading out a blanket.