Carsington Water is a wonderful place to get back to nature. The man made reservoir was developed by Severn Trent Water in 1992 and is a popular spot to try out various water sports including windsurfing, sailing and canoeing. The perimeter of the lake forms a walking / cycling / horse riding route and the 8 miles of pathway goes through woods, over the reservoir dam and past the picturesque village of Carsington. Along this scenic route, there are various boards with information about the local flora and fauna.

I went with a couple of friends and hired a cross country bike for 3 hours which cost just £10, they require you wear a helmet and provided us them free of charge, and were happy to run through their bike gears and other features . We completed the cycle route with a stop for lunch in two hours so could have had the bikes for less time but we hadn't ridden for a few years and forgot how good we were!! I have also sailed at Carsington when on a school trip, this was highly enjoyable and they went through all the basics of the boat and the safety aspects.

There is a courtyard with places to buy food, good clean toilet facilities and good small exhibitions about the creation of the reservoir and the rock and water formations and cycles. There are also shops to buy outdoor gear and a notice board full of people selling sporting gear. It's open 9.30 - 6.30 in the summer and 9.30 - dusk in the winter.

Carsington Water is a great day out, and the village itself is very pretty and has places to camp and good pubs to satisfy that rumbling tummy after a full day in the fresh air!