Rutland Water Reservoir

Address: Rutland Water Nature Reserve (Egleton), near Oakham, Rutland, England

Website: https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/rutland-water/

Admission: Reserve access free; RSPB visitor centre and parking may charge

Rutland Water is a large man-made reservoir in the English county of Rutland, created in the 1970s to supply water and provide recreation and wildlife habitat. It is one of the larger reservoirs in Britain and includes extensive managed nature reserves.

The reservoir was constructed in the 1970s by damming the Gwash valley to provide a stable public water supply and recreational resource; land clearance and building works created the lake and associated infrastructure. Since then conservation groups have developed the surrounding reserves to support breeding and migratory birds.

Rutland Water lies in central-eastern England within Rutland county, a short drive from Oakham and Stamford and within reach of the East Midlands and East Anglia. The reservoir sits in a rural agricultural landscape with rolling hills and small villages nearby.

• Size and perimeter route: One of the largest man-made reservoirs in Europe, with a circular walking and cycling route of about 23 kilometres around the water.
• Birding highlights: Important bird reserve with visitor centres and hides; prime months for birdwatching include winter for wildfowl and spring for breeding waders and terns.

What to See#

• Normanton Church: Normanton Church sits on a shallow peninsula overlooking the reservoir and was preserved and adapted as a visitor landmark when the reservoir was created; it is a frequent focal point for photographs and walks.
• Egleton and Lyndon reserves: Egleton and Lyndon nature reserves on the reservoir’s shores form managed bird reserves with hides and viewing points for visitors to observe over-wintering and breeding waterbirds.

By road from Oakham and the Midlands: Rutland Water lies near the market town of Oakham. The reservoir is reached by local roads off the A606; there are visitor car parks (Anglian Water visitor centre and other parking areas) and signed entrances for the nature reserve.

The nearest railway station is Oakham - a short taxi or local-bus ride from the station will take you to the reservoir visitor areas. Local buses serve Oakham and seasonal services/visitor shuttles may run to the reserve at peak times.

• Dawn and dusk are the best times at Rutland Water for bird activity and quieter paths; the reserve sees heavy daytime use at weekends, so midweek visits are noticeably calmer.
• Start at the Egleton RSPB visitor centre to use the hides and guided information-the hides give close views of key species and are less crowded earlier in the day.
• Don't miss the Normanton area: the church on the headland is the reserve's iconic viewpoint and the circular cycling/walking routes from there provide varied habitats that many day visitors skip.