Savills has been appointed by Severn Trent to source a new tenant to operate the leisure activities at Carsington Water, a popular tourism destination in Derbyshire.
Located between Wirksworth and Kniveton, just below the Peak District, Carsington Water is England’s ninth largest reservoir and attracts more than one million visitors annually.
The site offers over 12 kilometres of scenic walking trails, as well as cycling, wildlife habitats, paddle sports, a visitor centre with restaurants and shops, and other outdoor activities that appeal to families, nature enthusiasts, and tourists.
Historically, the tenant managed water sports, cycle hire, and fishing activities, as well as providing training courses for participants in water‑based activities. There may also be an opportunity to introduce new complementary activities at Carsington.
There is a dedicated water sports centre, with changing rooms, large equipment store, WC’s, office, a staff room and a small shop.
The bike hire is also run from this centre, with potential to be operated separately out of a new building or facility, subject to planning permission. Bike hire offers access to a circular 8-mile reservoir circuit and the Tissington and High Peak trail.
Course fishing is operated from a separate timber building that includes an equipment store and WC facilities. The main species are trout and predator fish and boat fishing is available at the site from March to November.
The three activities are available as individual lots or collectively as one leisure opportunity.
Simon Foster, Director in Savills Tourism, Leisure, and Events consultancy team, commented: “This is a rare and exciting opportunity for a single or multiple leisure operators to take on and develop the activities at an established visitor attraction. We expect significant interest in this opportunity and look forward to helping Severn Trent find suitable partners.”
Dan Taberner, Visitor Site Business Lead, Severn Trent commented: ”We are passionate about supporting health and wellbeing through access to high quality outdoor experiences. This is a fantastic opportunity for the right tenant to build on the strong foundations at Carsington Water by developing water sports, biking, fishing and other activities. Our aim is to encourage people of all ages to get active and enjoy the natural environment, and any new tenant will have an important role supporting us to do just that.”
Interested operators should contact Savills for further details on the opportunity, process and timelines: