Short birdwatching visit · RSPB
RSPB shop at Carsington Water
Ashbourne · DE6 1ST
Carsington Water combines reservoir birding with the facilities of a popular Severn Trent country park. Open water is edged by reedbeds, ponds, wildflower meadows and woodland, giving several habitats to explore in one visit. The RSPB shop provides an easy starting point and identifies Buzzard, Kingfisher and Lapwing among the birds to watch for. This is a useful stop for a mixed group that wants birdwatching alongside walking or other outdoor activities. Shorter accessible routes are available as alternatives to the full reservoir circuit, so choose a section before setting out.
Birds and seasons
- Buzzard — Typically year-round
- Kingfisher — Typically year-round
- Lapwing — Typically year-round
Plan your visit
- Paths
- An eight-mile reservoir circuit is supplemented by shorter wheelchair and pushchair-friendly walks.
- Toilets
- Severn Trent provides accessible toilets and a Changing Places facility.
- Parking
- Severn Trent operates the charged parking; RSPB membership does not provide free parking here.
- Dogs
- Dogs are welcome on leads, including inside the RSPB shop.
- Accessibility
- The shop is step-free, and wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be borrowed through the visitor centre.
Getting there: Arrive at Severn Trent’s visitor centre off the B5035 between Ashbourne and Wirksworth.
Sources
Social preview photograph: Common Starling standing in grass in Oxfordshire. Charles J. Sharp · CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized and converted for the preview.
Continue birding nearby
Nearest full guide: RSPB Coombes Valley, 14.4 miles away in a straight line.