Rutland Water

Rutland Water is an artificial lake in the East Midlands, east of Oakham. It covers 3,100 acres of countryside and has a 23-mile perimeter track for walking or cycling. The reservoir was created by damming the Gwash valley near Empingham and was completed in 1975. It provides water to the East Midlands and is the largest artificial reservoir in the United Kingdom by surface area. The dam is 35 metres high and 1,200 metres long, made from clay extracted from the area that would later be flooded. A limnological tower on the lake helps study its ecological conditions. The site is recognised for its wildlife and wetland habitats. A 1,555-hectare area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and 1,333 hectares are an internationally important wetland under the Ramsar Convention. The Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust manages a 393-hectare nature reserve at the western end. The area supports significant bird populations, including gadwall and shoveler, and is home to the Anglian Water Bird Watching Centre. Ospreys were reintroduced in 1996, and by 2021 there were 26 in the area. The lake also holds trout and a variety of coarse fish. Visitors find well-maintained paths, viewing hides and centres with exhibits and information. The Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre at Egleton has windows overlooking the wetlands and a shop selling binoculars. The Rutland Water Visitor Centre at Sykes Lane offers maps, souvenirs and mini golf. The Lyndon Visitor Centre on the south shore has trails, hides and bird-viewing windows. A pleasure cruiser, the Rutland Belle, takes people around the lake. The area also supports sailing, fishing and cycling, with the Hambleton Peninsula providing a scenic route.