Rudyard Lake is a lovely location for getting outside in Leek in Staffordshire. You can go for a family walk around the lake with interesting features such as a boat house to go inside with an amazing view over the water and a railway line to follow and even an old castle style building to find. There is a miniature steam railway which runs along one side of the lake, lots of watersports available and 3 different cafes.
Top Info
🏞 The lake covers 168 acres
👣 2.5 miles long.
🥾 7.5km walk around the lake
👶 East side has wide flat paths -pushchair friendly
🥾 East side there and back route 5km
🥾 West side narrow, bumpy & undulating path
🐕 Dog friendly
🚋 Rudyard Lake Steam Train
🐕 Train is dog friendly
🫖 Cafe at Railway Station & visitors centre
🥪 Cafe at Sailing Club
🚣♂ Lots of watersports
🚗 Visitor centre Parking for 4 hrs is £2 or all day is £3
🚗 Free Car Park at the North Car Park and at the station
🌎 Lake Rd, Rudyard, Leek ST13 8XB
🌳 The lake is a scenic location for walking, boating, sailing, fishing, and there is a lovely steam train rides along the reservoir. Set on the edge of the Peak District, Rudyard is home to fantastic walks and fun for all ages on the train. With 2 cafes to stop for a drink or bite to eat. ☕
👶 Pushchair Friendly Route:
If you are after a pushchair friendly walk, i would just walk up the east side and back where the railway track is. This is a wide flat oath along the water and through the trees. Once at the end, where you reach a carpark, you simply turn around and walk back, which gives you a 5km walk.
🚶♂For a longer 7.5km walk:
The full circular Rudyard lake loop is 7.5km
If you aren't restricted by a pushchair and after a longer walk once you get to the far end of the east side turn left and follow the path over a cattle grid and through some private land and then left at a sign post marked for the public footpath.
You head into the trees and uphill where you will eventually come across an old castle style building called Cliffe Park Hall. It is boarded up now, but in the past it had been the private home and later a youth hostel.
Heading along the path near the water, you pass Rudyard Sailing Club and lots of lovely properties. The end of the walk was a little random as you go down some very narrow paths, through a housing estate and finally back at the main visitors centre and cafe.
Rudyard Lake Steam Railway
You can take a ride on the miniature train alongside beautiful Rudyard Lake.
• The railway is suitable for all ages.
• It is dog friendly and dogs are welcome on the trains
• Trains run on weekends, bank and school holiday
• Modified carriage available for booking that will take a wheelchair
• There is cafe at the station "Platform 2 cafe"
• Rudyard Station, Rudyard Road, Rudyard, Leek, Staffs ST13 8PF
🚗 Car Parking
Pay and Display parking at Information Centre the Dam, Lake Rd, Rudyard, Leek ST13 8XB
💰 4 hours is £2 or all day is £3
If you park at the North Car Park or at the Station it is FREE
You can also park at Rudyard Hotel for £3 which is refundable if you spend over £5 in the bar.
Rudyard Lake was created more than two centuries ago to supply water for the expanding canal system. The area's history actually goes back as far as the 11th century, when it was known as 'Rudegeard'. It's the place where Rudyard Kipling's parents met (and named their firstborn after), where Captain Webb trained to swim the channel, and where Carlos Trower walked a tightrope 30m above the water.
Food & Drink
• The Rudyard Lake Cafe is located at the Activity centre where you can enjoy a wide selection of hot breakfast sandwiches and snacks overlooking the lake.
• Platform 2 Cafe is open at weekends and public holidays, March-October, 10:30am to 4:00pm (last food orders 3:30pm).
• Small Beans on the Lake cafe at Rudyard Lake Sailing Club which is half way along the west side. It serves toasties, quiche, soup and drinks.
• Rudyard Hotel has parking, plus you can finish off your walk with a drink or meal in their restaurant.
Visit December 2024
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