Address: Off, Rudyard Reservoir, Lake Rd, Rudyard, Leek ST13 8XB, United Kingdom
Phone: +441538306280
Rating: 4.7
based on 315 reviews.
Accessibility
Pros:
"Dog friendly. Bike friendly."
"You can push a pram comfortably about two thirds of the way round."
"Lovely peaceful lake of great beauty with good accessibility for my wheelchair."
"Spectacular scenery and level access walking for Seniors and pram pushers alike."
"East side of the lake is flat walking but west side is a bit hilly and not buggy friendly."
"Very pleasant walk around the lake. One side is completely flat and has a miniature railway running most of the length."
"A lovely walk for people of mixed abilities around a picturesque lake."
Cons:
"Not recommended for pushchairs."
"Not a place with many benches to sit so not really suitable for people who cannot walk far."
"Disadvantage is absence of nice spots near water where you could place blanket and rest. You must lie on uncomfort rocks."
"It could really do with some form of playground for kids somewhere around the lake."
"It is missing anything (including picnic benches) at the other end other than a single bench!"
"Not suitable for prams or push chairs if doing the full circuit."
"Now it's just neglected mud paths. Poor access for all but the most sure footed."
Parking
Pros:
"Quite a bit of space for parking, on the road and also at the railway station."
"Parking was good but not much of it."
"Free parking is available at the train station (a short walk/train ride away) or on street parking is also available."
"Parking at the lake is pay and display but you can park further up by the steam railway where it is free."
"If you enter at the Rushton end there is some free parking spaces."
"Lots of places to park in nearby village and at the lake."
"Small charge for car park although free parking at Railway cafe a few mins walk away!"
Cons:
"Parking not easy (was weekend) but parked on hotel car park for small fee."
"Official car park is very small, maybe 20 cars."
"Not enough car parking spaces and weekends. We parked in the pub carpark where you pay at the bar only to be told if you don't buy a meal in the restaurant and drink you cannot use the carpark."
"The main problem is parking. Especially if your disabled absolutely no provision made when we asked about a load of parking available near to the entrance we were told it was for 'corporate' use!"
"The car park and road to and from it not so much, if they are going to charge for parking, they could at least sort the road leading down to the car park."
"Always a good place to visit especially on a nice day. Beware of the parking fees at the Dam visitor centre."
"The PARKING TICKET VENDING MACHINE does not accept any CARDS but ONLY CASH."
Food and Beverage Facilities
Pros:
"It has a cafe that sells hot drinks and food."
"Nice cafe sells home made cakes, hot sandwiches drinks and ice cream."
"Food is cooked fresh, good selection of cold foods and most importantly there are clean toilet facilities available."
"The one at the lake serving delicious hot chocolate."
"Talking of tea, a visit to the lake cafe is a must, especially the bacon butties."
"The little café offers hot and cold drinks and food including homemade desserts."
"It serves amazing Good, for example they serve carvery and u can have other things."
Cons:
"When I did finally get food they forgot my chips which eventually came half way through my meal... not very impressed."
"Ordered food and an hour later asked where it was. It hadn't been put through."
"A little expensive food and drink wise but nice environment, only slight criticism is toilets could have been cleaner even though wasn't overly busy."
"Stopped at the café by the yachting club for a coffee, hardly anyone there, over 20 minutes for someone to take the order and almost 30 minutes before we got the coffee."
"Coffee shop nearby is good, but can be busy and overcrowded at times, not coping with the amount of customers and could offer wider variety of choices."
"The cafe could be wonderful but it's just not set up well; you end up waiting for a disproportionate amount of time."
"Avoid the restaurant at Rudyard as the food isn't pleasant, under cooked and often cold."
Recreational Activities
Pros:
"You can hire a boat to sail on the lake as well and use it to go fishing for a day."
"The mini railway is fun but doesn't run very often so check timetables if you want to go on it."
"Early morning paddles really are the best!!"
"Love this lake for paddling, home to Potteries Paddlers."
"Can rent rowboats, kayaks and sailing boats to go out on the lake."
"The lake is great for those starting out paddling, with a decent amount of room to explore."
"There are also various watersports on offer including sailing rowing and kayaking."
Cons:
"You can hear your board LEAKING!!"
"The only reason for 4 star is that most days you can't go because of the weather but that is a minor problem that nobody can solve!"
"It would cost such a small amount to rectify."
"The mini train I thought was expensive for what it was."
"Train leaves every half hour, 45 round trip."
"Mini railway a treat for all, didn't go as far as I was expecting, and a tad pricey."
"The miniature railway is great for the kids."
Natural Beauty and Environment
Pros:
"Such a tranquil place to visit probably best in the week as it gets very busy at weekends."
"A very pleasant walk around the lake with nice views."
"Even though the water levels are low due to the current drought, this place is beautiful, so peaceful and tranquil."
"Beautiful place with superb views."
"A nice n easy 5 miler with fantastic views of the lake and surrounding countryside."
"Fantastic day out, beautiful scenery, great for kids who like trains and boat rides along the lake."
"Wonderful views of the lake and boats can be seen along from the foot path including historic buildings, farm animals and rolling hills."
Cons:
"Disadvantage is absence of nice spots near water where you could place blanket and rest. You must lie on uncomfort rocks."
"The water level is the lowest I have ever seen, even lower than 1976."
"Not so great views of the lake as the path is secluded."
"The start of the walk down the side of the garage was a bit of an eye sore especially the farm bit behind the garage."
"Now it's just neglected mud paths. Poor access for all but the most sure footed."
"Be prepared to be walking ankle deep in mud on uneven paths."
"Enjoyable day out, poorly signposted until you are within half a mile."