Rudyard Lake
| Rudyard Lake | |
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| Location | Staffordshire |
| Coordinates | 53°8′10″N 2°5′10″W / 53.13611°N 2.08611°WCoordinates: 53°8′10″N 2°5′10″W / 53.13611°N 2.08611°W |
| Lake type | Reservoir |
| Primary outflows | Caldon Canal |
| Basin countries | United Kingdom |
Rudyard Lake is a reservoir in Rudyard, Staffordshire constructed by the engineer John Rennie, for the Trent and Mersey Canal company in 1797–98 to feed the Caldon Canal.
On June 26, 1846 the North Staffordshire Railway successfully took over the canal company and lake as part of one of its acts of parliament that resulted in the formation of the North Staffordshire Railway. A claim to fame is that John Lockwood Kipling and Alice Macdonald, parents of Rudyard Kipling, met here on a trip from Burslem. They liked the place so much they named their son after it.
The Rudyard Lake Steam Railway runs narrow gauge steam trains that operate up the east side of the lake on many days throughout the year. Look up their website for details.
The lake is home to Rudyard Lake Sailing Club and North Staffordshire Rowing Club. Fishing, walking and boat trips are popular attractions. There are moorings available and electric outboard powered craft are welcome. Kayaking is popular with many clubs and individuals frequenting the lake each week. It has an excellent visitor centre, toilets and an activity centre which can be hired for functions or conferences. A popular annual lake festival is held on a Sunday in August and a firework display takes place in November. It is possible to walk round the lake or walk part way and start/finish the journey by steam train. The walk is easy going and the attractions make for an excellent family outing.
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[edit] Top Gear
It was here that the BBC's motoring show Top Gear held a test in 2006 to see which presenter had designed the best amphibious car. Both Richard Hammond's and Jeremy Clarkson's attempts sank. However, James May's Triumph Herald, complete with sail and mast, performed well, despite the almost total absence of wind, and he was able to drive it out of the water.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- [1] Information about the lake, with photographs
