Our Visitor Sites

Working with the National Trust

We are working with the National Trust to improve the environment and visitor experience at Staunton Harold.

Staunton Harold Reservoir

Located in the heart of the National Forest on the Leicestershire-Derbyshire border, this 210 acre reservoir is managed in partnership by Severn Trent and The National Trust. 

The National Trust are running the sites day-to-day visitor site experience, land conservation and exciting projects.

Severn Trent are continuing to manage the reservoir.

Learn about the history of Staunton Harold

Why was the reservoir created here?

Staunton Harold Reservoir was created in 1964 by the River Dove Water Board to provide communities and businesses in Leicester and the East Midlands with drinking water and is now owned and managed by Severn Trent.

The reservoir was developed from one of six ponds on the neighbouring National Trust Calke Abbey Estate, originally owned by the Harpur Crew family.    

What is Staunton Harold Reservoir’s role in the water supply network?

The reservoir acts as a huge storage tank, taking water in and out when needed.

Water from the reservoir is treated at Melbourne treatment works which is located on the shoreline of the reservoir, and was built in 1964.

After alterations completed in 1997, it became one of the most modern and efficient in Europe. These days, more than 800,000 people in Leicester and the East Midlands benefit from the treatment works.     

Where does the water come from?

The water is pumped from the River Dove at Eggington. Water from Foremark Reservoir also flows into Staunton Harold before it is treated at Melbourne treatment works.     

How deep and big is the reservoir?

The reservoir covers over 209 acres of land and is up to 80 feet deep, making this one of the largest reservoirs in Leicestershire. It has a capacity of 1,400 million gallons (6,370 megalitres) of water.