Our Visitor Sites
A guide for visitors with cognitive disabilities including autism spectrum disorder.
About Carsington Water
Carsington Water is a reservoir surrounded by 8 miles of tracks through woodland and farmland. There is also a visitor centre where I can find shops, toilets, a restaurant, a play area, and more.
This means that I can enjoy a walk or a bike ride through nature, have a look through the shops, or relax with a picnic near the visitor centre. There are many different activities that I can choose to do.
Amenities at Carsington Water
Carsington Water has 3 car parks that I may arrive at. These are the main car park, Millfields car park, and Sheepwash car park.
At the main car park I can find the visitor centre, a picnic area, a play area, and the start of the track around the reservoir.
At the visitor centre I can find the reception, shops, toilets, and places to eat and drink. I can also find helpful staff here if I need them.
At the Millfields car park I can find toilets and a small snack shop that is open seasonally.
At the Sheepwash car park there are no toilets or shops, from here I can walk or visit nearby bird hides.
Arriving at Carsington Water
When I arrive at Carsington Water, I will be in one of the car parks. From here I can decide to relax, explore the tracks, or stay near the visitor centre at the main car park.
See
In the car park, I might see;
- Cars, buses and other vehicles
- Other people walking around
- Bikes going by
- Trees swaying in the wind
- People with dogs
Hear
In the car park, I might hear:
- Cars and other vehicles
- Other people talking
- The wind in the trees
- Children shouting
- Birds singing
Touch
In the car park I might touch;
- The tarmac on the floor
- Stone walls and ledges
- Hedges and trees
- Other people brushing past me
- The wind, sun or rain
Smell
In the car park I might smell;
- Fumes from cars driving by
- Flowers and other plants
Inside the Visitor Centre - Exhibition currently closed
If I go to the visitor centre, I can go inside, where I can find the reception, helpful staff, and the exhibition (exhibition is currently closed). From here I can go upstairs to the restaurant, or outside to the courtyard.
See
Inside the visitor centre, I might see;
- Automatic doors opening and closing
- People walking around or queuing
- Children playing in the exhibition
- Signs with words and pictures
- Lights on the floor and walls in the exhibition
- A dark tunnel and objects to interact with in the exhibition
Hear
Inside the visitor centre, I might hear:
- Automatic doors opening and closing
- People walking up and own stairs
- People talking and children shouting
- A telephone ringing
- Water sounds from the exhibition
- Splatting game sounds from the exhibition
- Talking from videos in the exhibition
Touch
Inside the visitor centre, I might touch;
- A wooden bench I can sit on
- A metal hand-rail on the staircase
- The button for the lift
- Moveable objects in the exhibition
- Buttons and hard objects in the exhibition
Smell
Inside the visitor centre, I might smell;
- Food from the restaurant or cafe
Inside the Restaurant and Cafe
If I go to the restaurant, I will find helpful staff that can guide me to a table or help me find what I need. If there is space, I can choose to sit either inside or out on the balcony.
See
In the restaurant, I might see
- People queing or sitting at their tables
- Staff behind the counter or carrying food and drink
- Large windows with views of the reservoir and the courtyard
Hear
In the restaurant, I might hear
- People talking at their tables
- Machines from the kitchen and behind the counter
- Music playing quietly over the speakers
- Pots and cutlery being used
- Chairs moving
Touch
In the restaurant, I might touch
- Wooden tables and chairs
- Metal ralings by the counter
- Ceramic plates, bowls and cups
- A glass to drink from
- Wind if I decide to sit outside
Smell
In the restaurant, I might smell
- Different food dishes being served
Taste
In the restaurant, I might taste
- The food and drink that I order
In the Courtyard
If I go to the courtyard, I can look through the shops, go to the café or the toilet, or sit and enjoy the plants and birds.
See
In the courtyard, I might see
- Staff working in and around shops
- Other visitors walking around
- Plants and small trees
- Small birds flying around
- The kugel stone turning
Hear
In the courtyard, I might hear
- People talking
- Auitomatic doors opening and closing
- Children playing in the distance
- Birds singing
Touch
In the courtyard, I might touch
- Stone walls
- Wooden benches
- Cobbled and paved floors
- Doors into shops or toilets
Smell
In the courtyard, I might smell
- Food from the cafe
Taste
In the courtyard, I might taste
- Food and drinks that I order from the cafe
- Ice cream from the ice cream shop
Outside the visitor centre
Outside the visitor centre I can find fields and paths near the main car park. Here I can have a picnic, visit the play area, or start my walk around the tracks.
See
Outside the visitor centre, I might see
- Large groups of people eating or playing
- Dogs and children running
- Kites flying
Hear
Outside the visitor centre, I might hear
- Groups of people talking
- Children shouting
- Dogs barking
- Cars from the car park
Touch
Outside the visitor centre, I might touch
- The grass in the fields
- Wooden picnic benches
- Play area equipment like swings or slides
- Leaves on trees and bushes
Smell
Outside the visitor centre, I might smell
- The grass in the fields
Taste
Outside the visitor centre, I might taste
- Food I bring for a picnic
- Food or drink I can buy from the shops
At Carsington Sports and Leisure
If I go to Carsington Sports & Leisure, I can find helpful staff to ask about renting bikes or boats.
See
At Carsington Sports and Leisure, I might see
- Staff and groups with life jackets on
- Bikes, boats and sports equipment
- People riding or returning bikes
Hear
At Carsington Sports and Leisure, I might hear
- Staff and other visitors talking
- Voices from walkie talkies
- Splashing in the water
- People working behind the centre
- Vehicles parking
Touch
At Carsington Sports and Leisure, I might touch
- Equipment I rent such as bikes or boats
- A life jacket If I need one
- Leaflets or items in the shop
On the tracks
If I choose to walk or ride along the tracks, I can find bird hides, woods, fields, and wide-open spaces. If I use a map, I can choose where I would like to go and explore.
See
On the tracks, I might see;
- Other people walking cycling or running
- Dogs with their owners
- Sheep in fields
- Wildlife and countryside views
Hear
On the tracks, I might hear:
- Other people talking
- Dogs barking
- Animals and wildlife
- Bikes going by
Touch
On the tracks, I might touch;
- Strong winds in open areas like the dam wall
- Wooden bridge railings
- Grass in fields
- Wooden sculptures and bird hides
Smell
On the tracks, I might smell;
- Plants around the track
- Animal waste from fields
At the wildlife centre and bird hides
If I go to the wildlife centre or other bird hides, I must be quiet. These are places that I can relax and enjoy spotting wildlife, and other people might want to relax here too.
See
At the bird hides, I might see;
- People sat quietly with binoculars
- Volunteers who can help me spot birds
- Posters with birds and information on walls
- Views of islands in the water
Hear
At the bird hides, I might hear:
- People talking quietly or whispering
- Birds singing nearby
- Water splashing from the reservoir
Touch
At the bird hides, I might touch;
- Wooden benches and ledges
Smell
At the bird hides, I might smell;
- Damp wood
Tips for a great day at Carsington Water
- Before I come to Carsington Water, it is a good idea to think about the time I’m going to visit. If I come in the middle of the day or during school holidays, it is more likely to be busy.
- I should stick to the rules and read the signs that are there to keep everyone safe. For example I should not swim or paddle, and I should keep my dog on a lead.
- I should remember that the ranger team are there to help if I need them, and I can contact them at reception by calling 0330 6780 701
