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Staunton Harold
Countryside space with wildflower meadows, woodland walks and open water
Staunton Harold, Calke Road, Melbourne, Derbyshire, DE73 8DL
Important notice
Staunton Harold is closed on Saturday 7 December due to expected high winds from Storm Darragh. Staunton Harold will re-open on Sunday 8 December after the team have completed essential safety checks.
Opening times for 6 December 2024
Asset Opening time Staunton Harold 08:00 - 16:00 Café 10:00 - 15:00 Last entry to Staunton Harold is at 4pm and the car park will be locked by 5pm. Any vehicles remaining after this time will need to be collected when Staunton Harold reopens the following morning. Please bear this in mind when planning your visit. The café is open daily from 10am, but may be closed for all or some of the day, in poor or adverse weather.
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Ticket type Gift aid Standard £5.00 Max 4 hours
Ticket type Gift aid Standard £3.50 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Café
Enjoy light refreshments in the café.
Dogs allowed
Dogs are welcome to explore Staunton Harold, but must be on a lead near the car park, visitor facilities, play area and inside the café.
Car park
There is one main car park.
Toilet
Available at the visitor facilities.
Accessible parking and toilets. Some accessible paths with variable gradients but no steep slopes.
Accessible route and/or map
Wheelchair accessible way-marked walk with crushed stone surface and no steep slopes. There is a map available to show this walk on the welcome sign in the car park.
Ramped access/slopes
Ramp access with handrails to the café.
Accessible toilet
Available at the visitor facilities.
Seating available
There is moveable seating inside the café. Outside, there are fixed picnic benches with gaps to provide access for wheelchair users.
Designated parking
Available in the main car park.
By road
on A514 at Ticknall between Swadlincote and Melbourne. Access from M42/A42 exit 13 and A50 Derby South.
Sat Nav: If using SatNav please use postcode DE73 8DN, or use latitude and longitude coordinates 52.81089, -1.5062.
By train
Derby 9 miles; Burton 10 miles
By bus
The nearest bus stop is in Melbourne, Derbyshire, 1.2 miles from Staunton Harold. There are pavements along the road to Staunton.
By bicycle
Staunton Harold, Calke Road, Melbourne, Derbyshire, DE73 8DL
Planning your visit
Article
Visiting Staunton Harold with your dog
Find out everything you need to know about visiting Staunton Harold with your dog, including the best walks to explore, the dog-friendly café and the canine code.
PDF
Highlights
Reservoir
Man-made reservoir which plays an important part in the water supply network, and an important habitat for wildlife.
Tower Windmill
Built in 1798 by Lord Melbourne at a cost of £250 and altered in the 1960s in an unsuccessful attempt to convert into an observation tower.
Walks
Variety of walks through wildflower meadow or across arable fields and woodland to the historic parkland at Calke Abbey.
Nature Reserves
Car parks at Dimminsdale and Calke village provide access to the south of the reservoir, Calke park and nature reserves: Dimminsdale and Spring Wood.
Play
Waterside play area and activities as part of '50 things to do before you’re 11¾'.
Eating
Dog-friendly café open year-round, serving light refreshments and a small retail offer.
Things to see and do
Article
Family-friendly things to do at Staunton Harold
Find inspiration for family days out at Staunton Harold, with play areas, waymarked walks, cycling routes and picnic spots. There's plenty to do to keep the kids entertained all day long!
Article
Exploring the countryside at Staunton Harold
Discover wildflower meadows, diverse habitats and plenty of wildlife at Staunton Harold, a 163-acre countryside space in Derbyshire.
Outdoor activities
Sailing at Staunton Harold
Fancy a day on the water? Staunton Harold Sailing Club offers a variety of water sports at Staunton, from sailing activities to windsurfing and paddleboarding, with training available for beginners of all ages. All launching of watercraft must be through the sailing club.
Fishing at Staunton Harold
The tranquil surroundings of Staunton Harold make an ideal fishing spot, with around 2.2km of bank fishing available.
Eating
Eating at Staunton Harold
The café is open every day serving a range of hot and cold drinks, light bites, sandwiches and sweet treats. Dogs are welcome inside the café, with dog treats and essentials available to buy. Seating is available indoors and outdoors.
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.
Wicket Nook Cottage
A cosy cottage packed full of character features and with stunning views over the Calke Estate.
Heath End Lodge
A former gatehouse to Calke Abbey, this cottage now stands in a peaceful backwater.
Southwood House Farm
The perfect get-together pad with seven bedrooms, a large garden and miles of parkland walks.
Upcoming events
Event
Delve into Dimminsdale Nature Reserve
Discover the highlights of nearby Dimminsdale Nature Reserve on a wintery walk with a ranger.
About Staunton Harold
Staunton Harold is a 163-acre countryside space, while the reservoir itself is 210 acres. At this hidden gem you'll discover wildflower meadows, woodland habitat, industrial archaeology and nature reserves, along with spectacular views across open water.
Owned by Severn Trent and cared for in partnership with the National Trust, the reservoir at Staunton Harold has played an important part in the water supply network since its creation in 1964. The flooding of the valley for the development of the reservoir included the largest of Calke Abbey’s six ponds.
Today the reservoir contains a rich diversity of wildlife, while the Tower Windmill dominates the skyline. Enjoyed by families, walkers and nature enthusiasts alike, there are many walking trails including a route to neighbouring Calke Abbey, as well as space for family fun and picnics.