2009 Watersports Courses now available here (Adobe Acrobat format, 119KB).

For a copy of the current schools leaflet click here (1.14MB pdf file)

For a copy of the current corporate Activities leaflet click here (960KB pdf file)

for latest watersports news

From the very start recreation was an integral part of the planning for Rother Valley Country Park. With an area currently of 300 hectares the park offers extensive scope for many types of recreation.

The Main Lake is classed as sheltered inland water, covering approximately 40 hectares. There is a purpose built Centre on the Eastern side of the lake, which offers changing facilities, toilets, showers, classrooms, reception area, first aid room and vending machines.

A comprehensive range of Watersports equipment including sailing dinghies, windsurfs, rowing boats, pedal boats, rafting sets, cycles and a variety of different canoes are available, both for hire and for use on courses. Wetsuits and buoyancy aids for all ages and sizes are kept in stock, although you are welcome to use your own if you prefer.

The instructional staff are both highly qualified and experienced, but nevertheless, sympathetic towards the needs of beginners and experienced alike. Staff maintain a close liaison with the National Governing Bodies for all the disciplines, which ensure that teaching methods are constantly updated. This provides an efficient course structure and an enjoyable experience for all our students.

The Centre is recognised as a Teaching Establishment by both the Royal Yachting Association and the British Canoe Union and is authorised to run a full range of nationally recognised certificate courses in sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, powerboating, ICC, personal watercraft and first aid.

The courses cater for all levels and abilities and students can have confidence in the knowledge that regular monitoring of the Centre by National Governing Bodies ensures the highest standards in both instruction and equipment. The lake is also popular with many local clubs such as Firbeck Sailing Club which regularly meet here.

For those people requiring a more active form of watersports the southern end of the main lake now provides a Cable Water Ski system.

Other water based activities available include sub aqua diving for registered diving clubs as well as model boating and fishing. Day fishing uses both the Nethermoor Lake and part of the Northern Lake, whilst match fishing may be booked on the west bank of the main Rother Valley Lake, this offering a 1Km long stretch of straight bank making it ideal for competitive fishing.

Opened on the 15th April 2000, the Playdales play area is an outdoor play area designed to give children hours of fun. One payment allows all day admission with the presentation of a valid wrist band. Contact details, admission charges and opening hours area available here.

The Rother Valley Golf Centre provides a variety of facilities including a challenging 18 hole course, a par 3, nine hole course suitable for the less experienced, as well as a floodlit driving range and clubhouse.

The Rother Valley Dog Agility Club meet in the centre of the park on Sunday mornings, with seasons between April and October. Sessions run from 10:30 to 12:00 noon and new members are always welcome. For more details visit their webpage at http://www.rother-valley-dog-agility.org.uk. Another regular dog club at Rother Valley is the Rother Valley Training Group for those with an interest in Newfoundlands and water rescue. For more details visit their webpage at http://www.rothervalleytraininggroup.piczo.com.

Other active sports include an orienteering course with a variety of circuits ranging from 2.6 to 5 kilometres. Archery is available for organised groups together with instruction, bookable through the Watersports and Hire Centre

For visitors interested in cycling Rother Valley offers 6 miles of tracks and access roads suitable for bikes, most of it traffic free and ideal for children. Cycle hire is available from the Watersports Centre and the park connects directly with the Trans Pennine Trail, which currently provides 11 miles of traffic free cycling between Beighton and Chesterfield.

All of these tracks are also equally suitable for walkers, who also enjoy the use of a network of public footpaths in the Rother Valley, and link into the wider countryside.

During the summer months the park is a popular spot for picnics and barbecues, with 2 stone built barbecues available for those visitors that do not bring their own. The restored eighteenth century courtyard provides a centre for those visitors enjoying a more informal sort of recreation, with a craft centre, cafe and visitors centre providing toilets, information, refreshments, and hand made goods for sale.