Ashfield District Council: King's Mill Reservoir

King's Mill Reservoir

Kings Mill is a large reservoir and area of natural beauty on the Sutton-in-Ashfield and Mansfield border.

A medieval mill pond expanded in the 1830s, Kings Mill Reservoir acted as a head of water for a dozen mills along the River Maun, along with water meadows several miles away. It is now a spectacular wildfowl sanctuary with a pleasant 1.5 mile walk around the perimeter.

Kings Mill visitor centre offers refreshments, exhibitions and toilet facilities in an idyllic location. The reservoir is home to the Sutton-in-Ashfield Sailing Club and The Mill Adventure Base for young people, and the perimeter walk includes many aspects of outstanding natural history. England's oldest railway viaduct stands at the northern end of the reservoir.

Kings Mill is the start of the Timberland Trail and overlaps on the Maun Valley Trail, both of which present walkers with idyllic settings including several heritage ponds along the river.

The site provides a habitat for a wide range of fascinating wildlife, and is ideal for peaceful walks, nature study and sailing on the reservoir itself. The area is a birdwatcher's paradise being abundant with a wide variety of land and water species. Regular feathered visitors include: Snipe, Tufted Duck, Common Tern, Sparrow Hawk, Warblers, Great Crested Grebe, Grey Heron, Kingfisher, Meadow Pipit, and many more.

A Black Swan sitting
on her nest. Photo by Andie Gilmour A duck on the banks of Kings Mill. Photo by Andie Gilmour

Access

Vehicular access is from Coxmoor Road (the B6139), just before the junction with Kings Mill Road East, (the A6).

The gates here are unlocked every morning at 9am by the Ranger service, and locked every evening at 9pm (April to September), or 7pm (October to March).

There is also access at the other side of the reservoir for light vehicles only, along Kings Mill Lane off of Sutton Road, over the narrow bridge.

Sharing a picnic with ducks
and Canada geese at Kings Mill Reservoir

Contact details

Sutton-in-Ashfield Sailing Club
Kings Mill Reservoir
Sutton-in-Ashfield
Nottinghamshire
Telephone: (01623) 559605

The Mill Adventure Base
Coxmoor Road
Sutton-in-Ashfield
Nottinghamshire
Telephone: (01623) 556110

Nottinghamshire Anglers
Telephone: (01159) 400222

Ashfield District Council Ranger Service
Ranger Service contact details