Now counting as one of Stamford’s recreational amenities,
the expanse of Rutland Water reaches from Empingham (4 miles west
of Stamford) westwards to within half a mile of Oakham, the historic
county town of Rutland. The horseshoe shaped lake is the largest
man made lake in Britain and has a surface area of about 3,100 acres
(slightly smaller than Windermere) and a perimeter of 24 miles.
A quite delightful place to visit, Rutland Water is served by four
large car parks and picnic areas and has facilities for sailing,
fishing, walking and bird watching. Parking charges apply.
The creation of Rutland Water, in the 1970s, was a great engineering
project and included the building of what was then the highest clay
filled dam in Europe. This dam is three quarters of a mile long,
half a mile wide at its base and 114 feet in height. Its eastern
side slope is entirely covered in grass to blend in with the surrounding
landscape. Water is fed in to the reservoir from the River Gwash
and pumped four and a half miles from the River Welland and nine
miles from the River Nene through a system of tunnels.
The careful landscaping and tree planting can now be seen to full
advantage especially in the four parking and picnic areas, each
of which has a different character and outlook onto the lake. That
on the south side, near Edith Weston, is close to the sailing club
and the footpath that runs to the old Normanton church which, jutting
out in the water, is a very distinctive feature. Sykes Lane Park
near Empingham contains an information centre where details of the
lake’s construction can be seen; near Whitwell Village is
the Administrative Centre whilst at the lake’s western end
is the nature reserve with its islands and shaded areas. Fishing
permits (for the day, week or year) can be obtained from the Administrative
Office and boats may also be hired. The reservoir was stocked, at
the outset, with a quarter of a million brown trout and 360,000
rainbow trout and excellent fishing is one of Rutland Water’s
great attractions.
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