Exploring the countryside at Staunton Harold

Winter in the countryside

Pull on your woolly hat, lace up your walking boots and escape to Staunton Harold this winter.

Winter walks

There’s nothing like a winter wander to lift your spirit and leave you feeling reinvigorated. Top up your daily dose of nature at Staunton Harold and soak up the calming winter landscape on a waymarked walk.

Thaw out afterwards in the café and reward yourself with a warming drink or snack. The café is open daily from 10am.

Staunton Harold circular walk

This 2.5km (1.4-mile) circular walk enjoys reservoir views and wildflower meadows, with some stiles, slopes and muddy ground when wet. Take a photo of the map when you arrive at the car park and follow the waymarkers along the route.

Staunton Harold to Calke Abbey

Take in views of the reservoir, arable fields and woodland on this 2.7km (1.7-mile) walk to nearby Calke Abbey, where you can continue to explore, or return along the same route back to Staunton Harold. There are some stiles, slopes and muddy ground when wet along this walk.

Wildflower walk

This 2.5km (1.5-mile) scenic walk takes you along the reservoir bank and wildflower meadows. The lower tarmac path is suitable all year-round for little legs, wheelchairs and buggies. Follow the yellow waymarkers along the wildflower walk.

Visit Dimminsdale Nature Reserve, just south of Staunton Harold, for more walking opportunities. On an especially cold day the pond starts to freeze over, creating a stunning winter scene.

Winter wildlife

Winter at Staunton Harold is a great time for bird spotting, as migratory species re-appear, taking advantage of improved climates and food resources. Keep an eye out for redwings around the windmill or along hedgerows, who travel an astonishing 500 miles from Iceland each winter.

You may also spot golden eyes, goosanders, herring gulls, yellow legged gulls, Canada geese, graylag geese around Staunton Harold. Bring along your binoculars to spot to these species up-close.

Snowdrops

Snowdrops signal the start of the new season and Dimminsdale is a great place to spot these little gems.

Park at nearby Dimminsdale car park and enjoy a short, circular walk around the Nature Reserve, where you’ll find a carpet of snowdrops between February and early March.

Top things to see at Staunton Harold

Staunton Harold is a 210-acre countryside space, home to one of the largest reservoirs in Derbyshire. At this hidden gem you'll discover wildflower meadows, woodland habitat, industrial archaeology and nature reserves, along with spectacular views across open water.

Top things to see include the Tower Windmill, which dominates the skyline, a children’s play area for family days out and sweeping views across the reservoir.

At nearby Dimminsdale, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, you’ll find open water ponds where quarrying excavations once mined for lead and limestone. Look out for derelict lime burning kilns and other industrial features hidden among the vegetation.

Visiting with a dog?

Staunton Harold is a great place to visit with your four-legged friend, with woodland walks, meadows and open countryside to explore.

Please note that dogs aren't allowed in the water to protect them from unseen dangers in the reservoir and blue green algae.

Activities on the water

Fancy getting out on the water? Staunton Harold Sailing Club offers a variety of water sports from sailing activities to windsurfing and paddleboarding, with training available for beginners of all ages.

The tranquil reservoir is also an ideal fishing spot, with around 2.2km of bank fishing available.