Major works helping reshape Nottinghamshire reservoir

Major works are reshaping facilities at a Nottinghamshire reservoir - thanks to more than £230,000 of lottery funding.

Ashfield District Council secured funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for improvements across Kings Mill Reservoir, The Lawn and Hermitage Ponds. 

Restoration works on the historic Kings Mill viaduct have now been completed after a grant of £232,000 was given by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The viaduct is the oldest of its kind in England, having opened in 1819.

Works have also provided better access between Mansfield and Ashfield and created a viewing platform over the Hermitage ponds.

Improvement works at the site’s heritage centre café are now close to completion, having started in November.

Councillor Jason Zadrozny and Councillor Samantha Deakin at Kings Mill Reservoir (Ashfield District Council)

The refurbishment of the existing café provides "panoramic views" across the reservoir.

Footpath and access improvements will start in the spring and will be completed by June.

This includes expanding the car park following growing visitor numbers and later in the year new trees will be planted to create a small woodland trail.

Ashfield District and Nottinghamshire County Councillor Samantha Deakin said: “I’m extremely proud of the work that is being done at Kings Mill Reservoir.

"The Mill Waters project would not be possible without National Lottery Players and it’s bringing a vast amount of improvements to the site all the way through to Sutton Lawn.

“I’m sure that this will be a turning point in Ashfield’s visitor economy, as well as benefitting wildlife and activity participation”