Rutland Water Visitor Information
Whether you are coming for a quick run around the reservoir, or making a day of it, we want to help you properly plan your trip. Rutland Water is a big place so please have a look at our map before you come.
Where can I find more information when I visit?
Our teams will be more than happy to help you while you are visiting us. You can contact us or pop into our visitor centres as detailed below.
Whitwell - Watersports
Email rutlandwatersports@anglianwater.co.uk
Tel: 01780 460154 Postcode: LE15 8BL
Open from 9am. Closing times vary.
(Closed Tues & Wed from 31 Oct - 2 Apr)
Sykes Lane - Visitor Centre
Email: rutlandwaterinfo@anglianwater.co.uk
Tel: 01780 686800 Postcode: LE15 8QL
Open from 10am - 5pm (Apr - Oct)
10am - 4pm (Nov - Mar)
Normanton - Fishing Lodge
Email: fishing@anglianwater.co.uk
Tel: 01780 686441 Postcode: LE15 8HD
Open from 8am - 2pm Nov & Dec
Egleton - Nature Reserve
Email: rutlandwaterinfo@anglianwater.co.uk
Tel: 01572 770651 Postcode: LE15 8BT
Open from 9am - 5pm (1 Mar - 31 Oct)
10am - 4pm (1 Nov - 28 Feb)
Lyndon - Nature Reserve
Email: rutlandwaterinfo@anglianwater.co.uk
Tel: 01572 737378 Postcode: LE15 8RN
Open from 9am - 5pm (Match to September)
10am - 4pm (Saturday & Sunday September only)
What are the Car park opening hours?
Normanton, Sykes Lane, Whitwell & Barnsdale
Open from 9am daily
Please note: Barnsdale Car Park closed end October to end March
Car park closing times are advertised at car park entrances
No overnight stays in the Car Parks are permitted
Egleton
1st March to 31st October: 9am to 5pm everyday
1st November to 28th Feb: 9am to 4pm everyday
Lyndon
10th March to 9th September only: 9am to 5pm everyday
Seasonal Car Park Closing Times
As daylight extends the car park closing times alter to allow extended use of the park. We adjust the car park closing times on the following dates at Normanton, Sykes Lane & Whitwell:
19th February car parks close at 5pm
8th March car parks close at 6pm
26th March car parks close at 7pm
30th April car parks close at 8pm
17th September car parks close at 7pm
15th October car parks close at 6pm
29th October car parks close at 5pm
12th November car parks close at 4pm
Barnsdale Car Park closing time is 30 minutes before each of the above closing times
(Please note: Barnsdale Car Park closed end October to end March)
Car Park Tariffs:
(Our all day explorer ticket gives you access all day to Normanton, Whitwell and Sykes Lane Car Parks and is the best value ticket for those wanting to enjoy a day at Rutland Water with all we have to offer.
Annual Car Parking Permit
(For 12 months access to the following Anglian Water Water Parks; Rutland Water, Alton Water, Grafham Water, Ravensthorpe Reservoir, Taverham Mill or Pitsford Water Park. Can be purchased from the Visitor Centre at Sykes Lane, the Watersports Centre at Whitwell or the Fishing Lodge at Normanton).
*Please note that the annual car park permit is not applicable for parking at the Nature Reserve. Parking at the Nature Reserve is reserved for visitors to the reserve and all cars must display a valid permit (obtainable from the Nature Reserve Visitor Centre's).
For car park tariff details relating to Sykes Lane during hot weather/peak operating times whilst the beach is open please see our beach information page
Where should I start?
Rutland Water has four main car parks. Each is a great place to start your day.
- Whitwell Car Park - LE15 8BL
- Located on the North Shore, Whitwell is a great place to park for the day for those looking for an active day out. At Whitwell you will find:
- Watersports
- Aqua Park Rutland
- Rutland Cycling
- The Rutland Belle
- The Rock Block (high ropes and climbing wall)
- Outdoor Gym
- The Harbour Bar Café
- Four Foxes Café
- Located on the North Shore, Whitwell is a great place to park for the day for those looking for an active day out. At Whitwell you will find:
- Sykes Lane Car Park (LE15 8QL)
- Located on the North Shore, Sykes Lane is a great place for a family day out. At Sykes Lane you will find:
- Mini Golf
- Bugtopia the zoo
- The Rutland Water Beach
- Children's Adventure Play Area
- Four Foxes Café
- The Rutland Water Visitor Centre
- Located on the North Shore, Sykes Lane is a great place for a family day out. At Sykes Lane you will find:
- Normanton Car Park (LE15 8HD)
- Located on the South Shore, Normanton is a good place for picnics and relaxing. At Normanton you will find:
- Rutland Cycling
- Rutland Water Fishing Lodge
- Normanton Church
- The Rutland Belle
- The Waterside Café
- Four Foxes Café
- Located on the South Shore, Normanton is a good place for picnics and relaxing. At Normanton you will find:
- Barnsdale Car Park (LE15 8AB)
- Located on the North Shore, Barnsdale is the perfect place to just escape it all, enjoy wonderful views and relax. At Barnsdale you will find:
- Four Foxes Café
- Children's Play Area
- Please note - Barnsdale car park is open Mid March - End of October only
- Located on the North Shore, Barnsdale is the perfect place to just escape it all, enjoy wonderful views and relax. At Barnsdale you will find:
For Nature Lovers and Birdwatchers or if you just want to walk in calm surroundings and get closer to nature we recommend a trip to our nature reserve located on the Western end of the water. We have two visitor centres - one at Egleton, which is open daily all year round and one at Lyndon (home of the Rutland Opsreys) which is open April - September.
Access Statement for Rutland Water & a Countryside for All Route Map can be found below:
Rutland Water Access Statement
Countryside for All Route Map
Bus Routes & Timetables
Centrebus operate two buses which provide a service to Rutland Water.
The number 9 bus operates between Oakham & Peterborough Monday - Saturday (for access to Sykes Lane, Whitwell & Barnsdale)
The number 12 bus operates between Stamford & Uppingham Monday - Saturday (for access to Edith Weston & Normanton)
Bus timetables can be found below
Number 9 Bus Timetable
Number 12 Bus Timetable
For your safety
We want you to have fun at Rutland Water, but we also want you to be safe. There are many safety notices placed around Rutland Water – please look out for them and read them.
A few other points for you to note:
- Keep young children in sight at all times
- Keep your dog on a lead
- Help us keep Rutland Water green by recycling your waste
- Our tracks have shared access, so please be caring when sharing
- Whether you are walking or cycling, always keep an eye out for uneven ground
- Swim only in designated areas at designated times
- Please keep BBQ's raised off the grass at all times
- Enjoy the site at a relaxing pace and stick to the 10mph speed limits
- No Drones - Drones are not permitted on site for use by visitors
Please follow our dog code:
- Lead by example - your dog must be on a lead at all times.
- Share this space - please make sure your dog doesn't spoil other people's enjoyment
- Keep our parks clean - bag and dispose of your dog's waste responsibly
- No doggy paddling - Please keep dogs out of the water, blue green algae can develop in the margins and is harmful if ingested. The water also provides sanctuary to an abundance of wildfowl, often nesting on the waters edge.
Also, we like to see people enjoying themselves during their visit to Rutland Water, so be sure to keep in touch with us via social media and let us know what you are up to!
Accreditations
Rutland Water has been recognised by Visit England as a visitor attraction as part of the Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme
Rutland Water has been awarded the Green Flag. The Green Flag Award scheme recognises and rewards well managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.
Discover Rutland
If you would like to know more about the county of Rutland & everything it has to offer including local accommodation, things to do or food & drink, please visit Discover Rutland website.
