Top 20 Lakes around Heanor and Loscoe CP

The lakes are rich in wildlife. At Mapperley Reservoir, you can spot coots, moorhens, mallards, and kingfishers, with chiffchaffs, willow warblers, and blackcaps singing in summer. Wyver Lane Nature Reserve is an important wetland site known for Canada geese, tufted ducks, little grebes, and even otters. Erewash Meadows Nature Reserve is home to water voles, various water birds, amphibians, and dragonflies. Loscoe Dam also hosts swans and ducks, which are notably tame.

Yes, several lakes offer easy walking opportunities. Mapperley Reservoir has easily accessible paths suitable for all fitness levels, including a footpath and a bridle path. Loscoe Dam can be incorporated into scenic walking loops, such as those starting from Codnor Castle Ruins. The Nutbrook Trail, which passes by Nutbrook Ponds, is also an easy cycling and walking trail, great for families.

Yes, angling is a popular activity in the area. Mapperley Reservoir is a large freshwater lake suitable for fishing year-round. Loscoe Dam is actively used by anglers and stocked with species like Crucian Carp, Perch, Roach, Tench, and Carp; day and season tickets are available through the NCB Area No.5 Fishing Club. Nutbrook Ponds (Nutbrook Trail Ponds 1 & 2) and Pennytown Ponds Local Nature Reserve are also managed fishing locations.

Many of the lake areas are family-friendly. Mapperley Reservoir, Erewash Meadows Nature Reserve, and Wyver Lane Nature Reserve are all categorized as family-friendly. Pennytown Ponds Local Nature Reserve is described as a nice, safe place to take children, with many jetties for wildlife watching. The Nutbrook Trail is also excellent for families looking for a safe, flat ride or walk.

Yes, Loscoe Dam has a rich history, first documented in 1300 for supplying fish to Codnor Castle and powering a corn mill. Mapperley Reservoir is surrounded by remnants of the area's coal mining heritage. Pennytown Ponds Local Nature Reserve has ponds constructed during 19th-century mining operations, and the area was re-landscaped for public use by Italian prisoners of war in 1942.

Beyond walking, you can enjoy various outdoor activities. Cycling is popular, especially along the Nutbrook Trail, which is part of National Cycle Route 67. You can also find numerous hiking and gravel biking routes in the wider Heanor and Loscoe CP area. For hiking, consider routes like the "St James' Church, Codnor – Codnor Castle Ruins loop" or the "Mapperley Reservoir – Osborne's Pond loop." For gravel biking, options include the "Mapperley Reservoir – Mapperley Singletrack Trail loop." You can find more details on these activities in the hiking guide and gravel biking guide for the region.

For Mapperley Reservoir, car parking is available, though it may be subject to a fee. A visitor centre with disabled parking and accessible paths, along with toilets, is located in the nearby Shipley Country Park. Toilets are also available closer to the reservoir. Information on parking for other specific lakes like Loscoe Dam or Nutbrook Ponds is less readily available, but local access points often have limited parking.

Yes, several nature reserves are integrated with or adjacent to the lakes. Mapperley Reservoir includes a 2-acre nature reserve, and the adjacent Mapperley Wood Nature Reserve features mature oak woodland and wetlands. Wyver Lane Nature Reserve is an important wetland site, and Erewash Meadows Nature Reserve is the largest floodplain and grassland area in the Erewash Valley. Loscoe Dam is adjacent to the Red River Local Nature Reserve, a small area of wet woodland. Pennytown Ponds Local Nature Reserve also offers opportunities for nature observation.

The best time to visit depends on your interests. Spring is ideal for seeing bluebells around Mapperley Reservoir and for observing breeding birds like lapwings and snipe at Erewash Meadows Nature Reserve. Summer offers pleasant weather for walking and birdwatching, with chiffchaffs, willow warblers, and blackcaps singing. Autumn brings changing foliage, and winter can be good for spotting wildfowl at reserves like Wyver Lane.

While specific dog policies vary by location, many of the walking paths around the lakes are generally dog-friendly, especially if dogs are kept on a lead. For instance, the paths around Mapperley Reservoir and Loscoe Dam are popular for dog walks. Always check local signage, especially in nature reserve areas, as access might be restricted in certain sensitive habitats to protect wildlife.

Visitors appreciate the tranquility and natural beauty of the lakes. Many enjoy the excellent opportunities for wildlife spotting, especially birdwatching, at places like Mapperley Reservoir and Wyver Lane Nature Reserve. The easy and accessible walking paths are a highlight for many, making them suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Anglers value the well-stocked waters at Loscoe Dam and Nutbrook Ponds. The blend of natural landscapes with historical elements, such as the mining heritage around Mapperley and the ancient history of Loscoe Dam, also adds to the appeal.