A lovely easy walk in East Staffordshire is Branston Water Park just outside Burton upon Trent. Now a thriving nature reserve, Branston Water Park was originally a gravel pit and when it was closed in the 1950s it was left for nature to take over and the disused pit filled with water naturally.

Before setting off on your walk head to ‘Alligator Point’, a small peninsula with a viewing area that looks out across the stunning views across the lake. There are five islands within the lake, these are strictly for the wildlife (no alligators, I promise) and not accessible to us humans. The lake is home to carp, bream, tench, pike, roach, perch and eels and popular with local angling club members.

A flat footpath runs around the entire perimeter of the lake making Branston Water Park ideal for families with babies in strollers. The path meanders through woodland, wetland and the wildflower meadow, with plenty of viewing platforms and picnic benches to watch the diverse and wonderful wildlife close up. Information boards around the lake describe the variety of wildlife, birds and their habitats that can be found residing in this urban nature reserve and great for a game of I spy. Visit at the right time and you may even see the resident swan nesting in the sprawling reed bed.

This easy, flat walk is just over a mile and takes around forty minutes to go all the way around the lake, but take your time, look for the wildlife and relax along the way.

There is a café on site, the Hub Cafe, next to the car park, for a light lunch, bacon butties and drinks and other facilities include a children’s play area, toilets, and a picnic area or you can head around the corner to the Bridge Inn to enjoy a delicious Italian lunch or dinner, especially lovely in summer when you can take advantage of their quaint little beer garden.

Branston Water Park is nestled next to the Trent and Mersey Canal, therefore this walk can easily be extended to include the Monks and Moorings Walk, which passes by the historic Sinai House and takes in views from Battlestead Hill, the reputed site of a bloody battle between the Angles and Danes. You can also walk 3 miles along the canal the other way to Barton Marina for lunch or an ice-cream.

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Opening times:

See East Staffordshire Borough Council website for more details

 

Facilities:

• Disabled Access
• Dogs
• Fishing                                Burton Angling Association members only
• Food & Drink
• Parking                               Free – height barrier: 2.1m
• Picnic area
• Paths                                   Tarmac
• Toilets
• Children’s Play Area         Yes