Mission Statement:
The perfect starter trail.
Trail Introduction
If you are new to dinghy trails then this is the trail for you. This beautiful reservoir is easy to make your way round and is surrounded by stunning scenery. With tea and cake available on the shore it is the perfect way to take a step into the world of dinghy cruising.
News update January 2025: The RYA have been made aware that the commercial training centre at Carsington closed in January and therefore there are no boats available to hire from this location anymore. It also looks like the launch location may change slightly – though we don’t think by much, and it is still worth the trip – if nothing else for the cake alone at Carsington Sailing Club. An update from a local is welcomed.
About the area:
There is plenty to see and do at Carsington. It is possible to hire bikes, padleboards, kayaks, boats and windsurfing equipment. There is also a great children’s adventure playground that is free to use. You can even have flyfishing lessons and see if you can catch a trout. Opened in 1992 the reservoir takes water from the River Derwent during winter months and then releases it during the drier summer months. To facilitate this the reservoir uses 10.5 km of tunnels. There is an 8 mile walk and cycle route around the reservoir which allows the visitor to take in the beautiful scenery and wildlife. It is also possible to stop at one of the many hides for some birdwatching. The peak district was the first national park in England in 1951.
Round Trip Distance:
3 miles
Approximate Time that the Trail will take:
1 to 2 hours
OS Map or Chart:
OL24
Trail Details
Permitted use of Openseamap under the “Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 2.0” license
This map is for information use only, not for navigation.
- Launch from the slipway at Carsington Sports & Leisure (See news update Jan 25 above – it might now be a different launch location).
- Head to the north of watersports island
- Once past the island head over to the eastern shoreline
- Follow the shoreline into fishtail creek
- Keep heading south towards the south of the lake
- Once you reach Millfields Island head straight over to the dam
- Follow the dam back up the lake
- Moor up to the pontoon at Carsington Sailing Club and pop in to their galley for some tea and cake
- Head over to Stones Island. If there is enough water it may be possible to sail between the two islands. If not, sail around the island then head north
- At Watersports Island head west back towards the slipway
Interesting fact:
The nearby town of Bakewell is home of Bakewell puddings, first made in the 1800’s. These delicious sweet treats are a strawberry tart covered in an almond egg custard and should not be confused with Bakewell Tarts, which are strawberry tarts covered with a frangipane sponge. You can visit their birthplace in Bakewell and try them both.
Trip Extensions:
Want to extend your trip? – Visit Chatsworth
Launch Point Lat and Long:
53.062203680193214
-1.6403883492806726
Launch Point What3Words:
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Launch Information:
Launching requires a pre-booking via https://www.carsingtonwater.com/launch
Day Pass – £25.00 per dinghy
Afternoon Pass (2pm – 5pm) – £20.00 per dinghy only available midweek, excluding bank holidays and school holidays (timings may vary for time of year)
10x Launch Card / Multi pass – £200.00
Tidal Information:
Carsington Water is a reservoir so there is no tidal flow.
Best Tides:
Not applicable
Towing Vehicle Parking:
Parking is available on the water sports centre’s grounds
Towing vehicle Parking What3Words:
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Towing vehicle Parking Information:
Parking charges vary depending upon the duration of stay, there are no additional charges for your trailer.
Maximum charge for all-day parking is £7 ( 2025 )
Trailer Parking:
Same as for your towing vehicle above. ( No additional charges for your trailer )
Trailer Parking What3Words:
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Trailer Parking Information:
Same as for your towing vehicle above. ( No additional charges for your trailer )
Toilets:
Yes
Toilets What3Words:
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Toilets Information:
Toilets available at the Carsington Water visitor centre, open while the centre is open, approx. 9am to 5pm
Page Month Published:
October 2025
Dinghy Trail Sponsor: