Top 8 Lakes around Leicester Forest West

While Leicester Forest West itself doesn't have prominent lakes, the wider Leicestershire area offers several popular options. Thornton Reservoir is highly regarded for its traffic-free trail and wildlife. Bradgate Park Deer Park is another favorite, known for its scenic rides and deer. Additionally, Bagworth Heath Woods, a reclaimed colliery site with lakes, is appreciated for its wildfowl and aquatic plants.

Yes, several lakes in the area are great for families. Bradgate Park Deer Park and Bagworth Heath Woods are both categorized as family-friendly. Watermead Country Park, with its network of lakes like John Merricks Lake and King Lear's Lake, also offers extensive hard-surfaced paths suitable for walks and cycling with children.

You'll find a variety of walking trails. Thornton Reservoir features a pleasant traffic-free trail all around the reservoir. Watermead Country Park offers the 'Red Route,' a loop of hard-surfaced paths ideal for walks, and King Lear's Lake can be circumnavigated. For more options, you can explore various hiking routes, including easy loops like the 'Roman Way – Groby & Ratby loop' or the 'Croft Hill Trig Point – View from Croft Hill loop'. Find more details on these routes in the Hiking around Leicester Forest West guide.

Many of the lakes in the region are popular with dog walkers. King Lear's Lake within Watermead Country Park is a favorite for dog walkers, offering a circumnavigable path. Always check local signage for specific rules regarding dogs, especially in nature reserves or areas with livestock like deer.

Yes, fishing is a popular activity. Thornton Reservoir is a picturesque 75-acre fly fishery. King Lear's Lake at Watermead Country Park is also a popular fishing lake. Cropston Reservoir has been a trout fishery since 1880, offering both bank and boat fishing. Watery Gate Fishery provides opportunities for mixed coarse fishing with two lakes and seasonal river fishing.

Facilities vary by location. Thornton Reservoir has dedicated parking areas. Watermead Country Park is managed by local councils and provides facilities for visitors. Stoney Cove National Dive Centre, while primarily for diving, also has a pub/cafe on site. For specific parking and amenity details, it's always best to check the individual lake's information before your visit.

Yes, there are some options. King Lear's Lake at Watermead Country Park is used for open-water swim training by the Leicester Triathlon Club and for water training by Newfoundland Dogs. Stoney Cove National Dive Centre is a large flooded quarry that hosts the UK National Dive Centre, offering dive training and an 'underwater adventure park'.

The lakes are rich in wildlife. Thornton Reservoir is home to mammals, birds, butterflies, and dragonflies. Watermead Country Park is a haven for wildlife, featuring extensive reedbeds, wet woodland, wildflower meadows, and rough grassland, with excellent birdwatching opportunities and four bird hides. Bradgate Park Deer Park is known for its deer population. Cropston Reservoir is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its unique plant life and waterfowl.

Yes, some lakes have historical connections. Bradgate Park Deer Park is a historical site. Groby Pool has a recorded reference from 1295, and the building across the water, Pool House, is a Grade II listed building. Bagworth Heath Woods, a reclaimed colliery site, features a pit wheel on an island as a reminder of its industrial past.

There are several cycling routes that incorporate or pass by the lakes. For example, you can find routes like the 'Cropston Reservoir – Bradgate Park loop' or the 'Thornton Reservoir – Thornton Reservoir loop'. These routes offer diverse experiences for cyclists. More cycling options can be found in the Cycling around Leicester Forest West guide.

Rutland Water is one of the largest man-made bodies of water in Western Europe, covering over 4 square miles with a 23-mile path around its edge. It's an internationally recognized site for its wildlife, including a 1,000-acre nature reserve. While further afield than other local lakes, it's a significant destination for nature and recreation. It hosts over 25,000 ducks, geese, and swans in winter and is central to reintroduction programs for ospreys.

Yes, Thornton Reservoir is noted as wheelchair accessible, with a paved path throughout. Watermead Country Park also features hard-surfaced paths, such as the 'Red Route,' which are ideal for walks and likely suitable for strollers and some wheelchairs.