Foremark Reservoir, near Swadlincote, is a popular destination offering a blend of natural beauty and recreational activities. Created in the 1970s, it provides a vital water supply for the region. Surrounded by woodland and open countryside, the reservoir attracts walkers, birdwatchers, and anglers. Its shores are home to diverse wildlife, and the water itself supports various aquatic species. With accessible paths and scenic views, Foremark Reservoir offers a peaceful escape and opportunities for outdoor enjoyment in South Derbyshire.

Foremark Reservoir

Foremark Reservoir has a capacity of approximately 6,140 million gallons and reaches a maximum depth of around 70 feet. Its construction involved building an earth embankment dam to impound water. Water is primarily pumped from the River Dove to fill and replenish the reservoir. From Foremark, water is then transferred onwards to the nearby Staunton Harold Reservoir. This interconnected system ensures a reliable water supply for the surrounding areas in Derbyshire and Leicestershire. The engineering behind the reservoir is a crucial aspect of its function.

Foremark Reservoir Facilities

Foremark Reservoir offers visitor facilities including convenient parking and accessible toilets. The National Trust operates a popular refreshment kiosk, providing drinks and snacks. Families can also enjoy the dedicated children’s play area. Picnic areas are available for enjoying the scenic surroundings. For recreation, there are marked walking trails around the reservoir and opportunities for birdwatching. While swimming and boating are restricted to protect the water supply and wildlife, the focus is on enjoying the natural environment through walking and observation. Parking is available on-site, with charges applicable. National Trust members can park free of charge. The car park is locked by 8 pm, so plan your visit accordingly. For a detailed map and more information, you can refer to the National Trust’s resources on Foremark.

Burton Sailing Club at Foremark Reservoir

Foremark Reservoir is home to an active sailing club, offering racing and recreational sailing for various skill levels. Members enjoy regular racing events and likely benefit from training opportunities. A range of dinghy classes can be seen on the water. The club provides a social environment for sailing enthusiasts and essential facilities for its members.

Bays and Benches at Foremark Reservoir

Visitors are welcome to bring picnics and enjoy them throughout the nature reserve. There are formal picnic areas with benches provided and also hidden bays along the woodland walk. Dogs are welcome at Foremark and can explore various woodland and waterside routes. They can be off-lead in many areas if under close control but should be kept on short leads around car parks, visitor facilities, playgrounds, picnic benches, and along the bridleway, which is a multi-use route often used by horse riders. Dogs are not allowed in the water due to potential dangers such as blue-green algae.

Woodland Trail at Foremark Reservoir

The woodland surrounding Foremark Reservoir offers a delightful contrast to the open water, providing varied habitats and scenic walking trails. These woodlands are a mix of both established and more recently planted areas, creating a diverse environment for wildlife and offering different experiences for walkers. The trail at the southern end of the reservoir hugs the shoreline offering lovely views across to the dam. Delve deeper into the woodland to see ancient trees with paths leading through the dappled shade to the water below.

Carvers Rocks, located at the southern tip of the reservoir, is recognised as an SSSI for its valuable geology and plant life, including one of Derbyshire’s last patches of lowland heath adorned with blooming heather.

A Circular Walk around Foremark Reservoir

Enjoy a scenic circular walk around Foremark Reservoir. Cross Dragonfly Bridge at the southern end of the reservoir and follow the footpath to a road alongside Repton Scrubs. Continue through the natural beauty of Repton Common before returning to the reservoir’s main entrance via the Ticknall to Milton road. This route offers varied landscapes and opportunities to appreciate the area’s wildlife and tranquillity. The walk is around 4.5 miles in length but does not follow the shoreline on the east side of the reservoir. The walk is not waymarked so kit yourself out with the appropriate OS Map.

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Carvers Rocks is a stunning nature reserve at the southern edge of Foremark Reservoir in South Derbyshire. The site features dramatic gritstone outcrops shaped by erosion over thousands of years. It is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest due to its rare wetland and heathland habitats. The reserve is home to diverse wildlife, including dragonflies, woodpeckers, and rare plants. Managed by the National Trust, Carvers Rocks offers scenic trails through woodland, marsh, and open heath.

The Origin of the Name Carvers Rocks

Carvers Rocks was historically known as Repton Rocks in 1836 and later as Dawson’s Rocks, possibly linked to the Dawson family of Repton Waste Farm. The current name is believed to come from Lawrence Carver of Ticknall, born in 1701, or his family. Another theory suggests the name derives from the weathered, carved appearance of the gritstone formations. Over time, the local association with the Carver name took hold, shaping the identity of this striking Derbyshire landscape. Other names may have included Lowes Rocks and Hartshorn Rocks.

The Geology of Carvers Rocks

Carvers Rocks’ dramatic presence is rooted in geology. Formed during the Carboniferous period, around 300 million years ago, they are part of the Millstone Grit series. These layers of coarse-grained sandstone were deposited by vast river systems flowing across what was then a tropical region. Over millions of years, subsequent layers of sediment buried the gritstone, which then solidified under pressure. Later tectonic activity and erosion by ice and water sculpted the landscape, eventually exposing these resistant gritstone outcrops we see today. Unlike softer sandstones, gritstone contains larger quartz grains, making it more resistant to erosion, leading to the sculpted formations visible today.

Carver Rocks SSSI

Carvers Rocks SSSI, features a mosaic of habitats that support a diverse range of wildlife. The acidic grasslands and heathland provide a habitat for species such as the common lizard, butterflies, and moths. Ancient oak and birch woodlands shelter woodland birds, while buzzards and kestrels soar overhead. The rocky outcrops host specialist lichens and mosses, thriving in the exposed conditions.

Wetland patches and the Foremark Reservoir fringe attract waterfowl, including the Great Crested Grebe. Marshy areas support dragonflies, damselflies, and rare plants like bog asphodel and sundew. Seasonal highlights include spring bluebells and autumn fungi, making Carvers Rocks a vital site for biodiversity and conservation.

Heathland at Carvers Rocks

At Carvers Rocks, the upper regions feature a rare patch of lowland heath, characterised by heather (Calluna vulgaris) and acidic grassland communities. This habitat is uncommon in Derbyshire, making it ecologically significant. The thin, nutrient-poor soils atop the gritstone formations support heather, which blooms vibrantly in late summer and early autumn. This heathland provides habitat for various invertebrates, including butterflies and moths, and reptiles like the common lizard. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining this delicate ecosystem due to its rarity and biodiversity value.

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The gardens at Calke Abbey offer a captivating glimpse into the estate’s rich horticultural heritage. The kitchen garden, with its aged walls and weathered glasshouses, evokes a sense of faded grandeur. The flower garden bursts with vibrant, seasonal blooms, while the tranquil physic garden reveals a fascinating collection of medicinal plants once used for healing. Together, these gardens provide a peaceful retreat, brimming with history and natural beauty.

The Flower Garden at Calke Abbey

Calke Abbey’s flower garden, a testament to Lady Georgiana’s passion, offers a captivating glimpse into historical horticultural practices. Built in 1856 the garden features a unique auricula theatre thought to be England’s oldest surviving example. This meticulously maintained space, with its original Victorian layout, is “bedded out” twice yearly, mirroring 1850s techniques. The garden features Victorian-era glasshouses, which were used to grow exotic plants and extend the flowering season. Throughout the year, the flower garden bursts with colour – from early spring bulbs to summer roses and vibrant autumnal hues. It provides a serene space for visitors to wander, while also offering a glimpse into the horticultural tastes and traditions of the estate’s former owners.

The Kitchen Garden at Calke Abbey

Looking out across the expansive green lawn, the ghostly outlines of former garden beds whisper tales of Calke Abbey’s industrious past. This was once a thriving kitchen garden, a vital source of fruit, vegetables, and flowers for the household. More than just a place of production, it served as a tranquil retreat for the family.

On colder days, the family would seek refuge in the heated orangery, with its distinctive arched windows, surrounded by exotic plants.

The garden’s vibrant purpose faded after the Second World War, and by the 1970s, it had been ploughed up for pasture, leaving behind only the subtle contours we see today. These faint remnants, now softened by time and grass, serve as a poignant reminder of Calke’s heyday and the self-sufficient lifestyle it once embodied.

The Physic Garden at Calke Abbey

The Physic Garden at Calke Abbey is a fascinating glimpse into the estate’s working past. In the late 1700s, it was a practical space where herbs were cultivated for both culinary and medicinal purposes. Glasshouses and heated frames were later introduced, allowing the gardeners to grow vegetables and exotic fruits year-round, including cucumbers, melons, grapes, and even pineapples. This productive garden was largely functional, with the family unlikely to visit.

Today, the Physic Garden remains the main productive garden. It is now home to areas dedicated to cut flowers, vegetables, herbs, and soft fruits, as well as orchards of apples and plums. In spring, the garden comes to life with neatly arranged rows of emerging plants, promising an abundant harvest later in the year. Despite its practical purpose, it offers a peaceful, rustic beauty, with pathways lined by lavender and bordered by neatly pruned fruit bushes.

Scarecrows in the Physic Garden at Calke Abbey

The scarecrows in the Physic Garden at Calke Abbey are a charming and playful feature, adding a touch of whimsy to the historic, working garden. They are created by the garden team and volunteers, often dressed in period-style or rustic clothing, giving them a characterful, old-world charm. These scarecrows serve a practical purpose by deterring birds from feasting on the fruit and vegetable crops, but they also contribute to the garden’s storytelling, evoking the spirit of its agricultural past.

Throughout the year, the scarecrows sometimes take on seasonal themes, reflecting events or changes in the garden. Their presence adds to the Physic Garden’s quaint, lived-in atmosphere, making it feel like a working, yet slightly enchanted, part of the estate.

The Vinery in the Physic Garden at Calke Abbey

The Vinery in one of the glasshouses at Calke Abbey’s Physic Garden is a fascinating remnant of the estate’s productive past. Built to cultivate grapevines, it reflects the Georgian and Victorian-era fascination with growing exotic fruits in England’s temperate climate. The glasshouse, with its heated frames and controlled environment, allowed the gardeners to extend the growing season and produce plump, sweet grapes for the family’s table—an impressive luxury at the time.

Grape Varieties Grown in the Vinery

The Vinery in the Physic Garden at Calke Abbey is home to several historic and distinctive grape varieties, each with its own unique characteristics:

Buckland Sweetwater – A traditional English dessert grape, Buckland Sweetwater was popular in Victorian glasshouses for its sweet, juicy flavour and pale green skin. It ripens early, making it well-suited to the temperamental British climate, and was prized for its delicate sweetness.

Leon Millot – This red grape variety originated in France and is known for its early ripening and disease resistance, making it ideal for cooler climates. It produces deeply coloured grapes often used in winemaking, with rich, fruity notes and a hint of spice.

Seyval Blanc – A white grape variety, Seyval Blanc is widely grown in the UK due to its ability to thrive in cooler conditions. It produces crisp, refreshing white wines with citrus and apple notes, making it a favourite among English vineyards.

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The brewhouse tunnel at Calke Abbey offers a fascinating glimpse into the estate’s historical workings. This subterranean passage connects the brewhouse to the main house, a testament to the practicalities of a self-sufficient estate. Its construction speaks to the desire to move goods, in this case, likely brewed beverages, discreetly and efficiently. The tunnel’s existence highlights the layered history of Calke Abbey, where both grand displays and everyday functions played vital roles.

Currently, the National Trust is celebrating spring at Calke Abbey, and the brewhouse tunnel is part of the festivities. It has been decorated with a special display of handmade blossom and illuminated with coloured lights, creating an eerie but festive experience. Exploring this space reveals the hidden infrastructure that supported life within the abbey’s walls, now transformed into a seasonal spectacle.

Calke Abbey’s brewhouse was a hub of activity, providing a vital necessity for the estate. Weekly brewing sessions yielded substantial quantities of beer and ale, with records from 1821 showing production exceeding 12,500 gallons of beer and 2,000 gallons of ale between April and December.

This output primarily served the residents and workers of the Calke estate. However, this practice ceased around 1860. The advent of railway transport to Melbourne enabled the importation of beer from external breweries, rendering the estate’s own brewing operations obsolete.

This pair of images showcases the rustic interior of Calke Abbey’s brewhouse. The first captures a ground-level view, highlighting large wooden vats and ceramic vessels that dominate the space, reflecting its historical function.

A weathered wooden door and a glimpse of a loft suggest a working environment frozen in time. The second image shifts focus to the building’s structure, with a large wooden vat perched atop a brick platform. Exposed brick walls, showing age and wear, reveal the building’s history, while a dark, arched doorway adds depth. The high, timbered ceiling and windows suggest a spacious, functional workspace. Together, they illustrate the brewhouse’s integral role in the estate’s self-sufficiency.

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The humble crocus, a herald of spring, brings vibrant color to gardens as winter fades. These low-growing perennials burst forth with cup-shaped flowers in hues of purple, yellow, and white. Notably, Crocus sativus yields saffron, a prized spice. Crocuses are hardy, thriving in sunny spots with well-drained soil. Their early blooms provide vital sustenance for pollinators, making them a welcome sight after winter’s slumber.

I spotted this vibrant display of crocuses as I headed off from Ticknall for a walk around Calke Abbey. They carpet the grass with shades of purple, white, and yellow. The flowers are bathed in sunlight, highlighting their delicate petals and rich colours. In the foreground, the textured bark of a sturdy tree trunk adds contrast to the scene, adding a sense of depth. The mix of colours and natural setting creates a bright and cheerful atmosphere, evoking the perfect spring day.

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The daffodil, heralds warmer days with its vibrant yellow blooms. These trumpet-shaped flowers, often with a contrasting center, brighten gardens and woodlands. A symbol of rebirth, daffodils are hardy and resilient, thriving in various climates. Their sweet fragrance and sunny appearance lift spirits after winter’s gloom. From classic yellows to modern pinks and whites, daffodils offer a diverse palette, making them a beloved harbinger of the season.

As I was walking beside Stanton’s Wood near Ticknall I spotted these yellow beacons of spring. They may not be the first daffodils in bloom this year but they are certainly the first I have seen.

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Ancient trees, with their gnarled bark and twisting branches, often invite pareidolia. We see faces, figures, and creatures within their forms, a testament to our brain’s pattern-seeking nature. These veteran trees, witnesses to centuries, become canvases for our imaginations. In woodlands, each knot and burl can transform into a story, blending natural history with the human tendency to find meaning in the abstract

There are many ancient trees on the Calke Abbey estate I stumbled on these weird and wonderful examples on a cold afternoon in October.

The collection of photographs capture the unique and surreal formations found in ancient tree trunks. The first two images feature a gnarled tree trunk with a formation resembling a tightly shut eye. The layered bark and twisting growth patterns create an organic illusion, making the tree seem almost alive and watchful.

The next fascinating image captures the textured surface of an ancient tree trunk. The natural patterns in the wood resemble a haunting, almost spectral face. The interplay of light and shadow accentuates the depth of the contours. It brings out an eerie almost mesmerizing illusion of eyes, a nose, and a mouth hidden within the bark.

The fourth image is birdlike, where the natural twists and knots in the wood create an uncanny resemblance to a bird or chick, adding to the illusion of a living creature emerging from the bark.

The final image reveals a weathered trunk with shapes that resemble small creatures emerging from the wood. The gnarled knots and hollowed sections create an illusion of eye sockets and facial features, giving the trunk an almost sculptural quality.

All the photographs showcase nature’s ability to create unexpected, almost sculptural designs, where imagination brings the trees to life.

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