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Foremark
Nature reserve with woodland walks, grass heathland and open water
Foremark, Milton, Derbyshire, DE65 6EG
Opening times for 2 December 2023
Asset Opening time Foremark 08:00 - 16:00 Café Open all day Last entry to Foremark is at 4pm and the car park will be locked by 5pm. Any vehicles remaining after this time will need to be collected when Foremark reopens the following morning. The kiosk is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am, but may be closed for all or some of the day, in poor or adverse weather. Partially open means that one or more aspects of Foremark are shut. This will be displayed as closed under the list of opening times.
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Ticket type Gift aid Standard £5.00 Max 4 hours
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Car park
Main car park is by the visitor facilities.
Kiosk
Enjoy light refreshments. There is outdoor seating available only, where dogs are welcome to join you.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome to explore Foremark, but must be on a lead around the car parks, visitor facilities and picnic benches.
Toilet
Available at the visitor facilities.
Accessible parking and toilets. Some accessible paths with variable gradients but no steep slopes.
Accessible toilet
Available at the visitor facilities.
Level access to food outlet
Level access from main car park to picnic areas. Wheelchair accessible route along the dam wall trail with a tarmac surface and gentle slopes.
Designated parking
Available in the main car park and there are additional accessible spaces in the dam wall car park.
Seating available
Newer picnic benches are wheelchair friendly, with an overhang on one side.
By road
on A514 at Ticknall between Swadlincote and Melbourne. Access from M42/A42 exit 13 and A50 Derby South.
Parking: The are two car parks at Foremark with grassed overflow car parking available.
Sat Nav: If using SatNav please use postcode DE65 6EG, or use latitude and longitude coordinates 52.8209, -1.5062.
By train
Derby 11 miles; Burton 8 ½ miles
By bus
The nearest bus stop is in Repton, Derbyshire, 1.2 miles from Foremark. Please note there are no pavements on Milton Road towards Foremark.
By bicycle
Planning your visit
Article
Visiting Foremark with your dog
Dogs are welcome to explore Foremark, where you’ll discover woodland walks, open countryside and reservoir views. Find out more about walking your dog here.
PDF
Highlights
Reservoir
Man-made reservoir which plays an important part in the water supply network, and an important habitat for wildlife.
Carver's Rocks
A scheduled Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) known for its geology and plants.
Walks
Variety of walks through woodland and along a bridleway, with access onto the National Forest Way, which extends over 75 miles from Staffordshire to Leicestershire.
Nature Reserve
230 acres of habitat with a rich diversity of wildlife including over 350 species of moths and 200 types of birds, and one of the last patches of lowland heath in Derbyshire.
Play
Play area and activities as part of '50 things to do before you’re 11¾‘'.
Eating
Kiosk open year-round, serving light refreshments.
Things to see and do
Article
Things to see and do at Foremark
Discover woodland walks, diverse habitats, water sports and family activities at Foremark, a 230-acre nature reserve in the heart of the Derbyshire countryside.
Outdoor activities
Water sports at Foremark
Burton Sailing Club offers a range of family-friendly water sports at Foremark, including windsurfing and offshore sailing, suitable for beginners through to the more experienced. All launching of watercraft must be through the sailing club.
Eating
Eating at Foremark
The kiosk is open every day serving a range of hot and cold drinks, light bites, sandwiches and sweet treats. There is outdoor seating available only, where dogs are welcome to join you.
Places to stay
Ticknall Lodge
An intriguing pentagonal gate lodge with elegant interiors surrounded by Calke Abbey parkland.
Thatch Cottage
A beautifully restored thatched cottage with a modern rustic interior, set within Calke Abbey.
Heath End Lodge
A former gatehouse to Calke Abbey, this cottage now stands in a peaceful backwater.
Wicket Nook Cottage
A cosy cottage packed full of character features and with stunning views over the Calke Estate.
Southwood House Farm
The perfect get-together pad with seven bedrooms, a large garden and miles of parkland walks.
About Foremark
Nestled in the rolling Derbyshire countryside is Foremark, a 280-acre nature reserve, comprised of woodland habitat, heathland, open countryside, and open water.
Owned by Severn Trent and cared for in partnership with the National Trust, the reservoir at Foremark has been a vital link in the water supply network since its creation in the 1970s. Along with the 230-acre nature reserve, Foremark is home to a rich diversity of wildlife and includes Carver’s Rocks, a Site of Special Scientific Interest. You’ll also discover one of the last patches of lowland heath in Derbyshire.
Enjoyed by families, walkers and nature enthusiasts alike, there are many walking trails through woodland including a multi-use bridleway, as well as space for family fun and picnics.
Our work
Article
Tree thinning at Foremark
From the end of October 2023 through to the end of February 2024, forestry operations will be taking place at Foremark from Monday – Friday. This page sets out to explain why we’re thinning the trees and benefits it will deliver.
Looking after the water
We’re working in partnership to look after the 230-acre reservoir at Foremark, which is owned and managed by Severn Trent. Find out more about how Severn Trent is protecting the region’s water here.