Alton Water Park is situated in the picturesque Shotley Peninsula in the county of Suffolk. The reservoir is the largest inland area of water in the county. Surrounding the reservoir are 400 acres of parkland, classified as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There is a Visitors' Centre with all amenities as well as a cafe, cycle hire and a playground to keep younger visitors occupied. Alton Water Park not only provides a beautiful setting to explore. but is also teaming with wildlife and is a great place to indulge in water sports.
History
In the 1960s the town of Ipswich and the surrounding area were experiencing water shortages. To combat these shortages, Anglia Water decided to create a manmade reservoir to provide the region with drinking water. The area on the Shotley Peninsula was chosen as it was largely uninhabited.
The reservoir took thirty years to fill; it was finally completed in 1987. It now provides the entire Ipswich region with drinking water.
Wildlife
Though man-made, Alton Water Park is a haven for wildlife. The 400 acre park has a diverse range of habitats including woodland, grassland and scrub. These habitats provide homes for a wide variety of wildlife; from the small, like the many species of butterfly, to the considerably larger such as badgers. There are also deer living in the woodlands of the nearby villages of Holbrook and Tattingstone: they can sometimes be seen in Alton Water Park.
The park is home to a lot of bird life, particularly in the winter when there is a large wildfowl population. There are viewing huts set up around the park to observe the birds which include Crested Grebes, Warblers, Sand Martins and many more.
Visitors can explore the park themselves or follow a designated nature trail which starts from the Visitors' Centre.
Walking/Cycling
The full route around Alton Reservoir, which can be done on foot or by bike, is eight miles long and covers the entire perimeter of the reservoir. However, there are shorter routes, though some are not suitable for bikes. Dogs are welcome in the park but must be kept under control.
There are several access points surrounding the park, the main entrance being in the village of Stutton. There are also car parks and footpaths in the surrounding villages of Holbrook and Tattingstone where walkers can pick up the routes.
The main route takes walkers and cyclists through all three villages. Alton Water Park is a favourite for locals and visitors alike.
Water Sports
Whether a pro or just starting out there are water sports to suit everyone at the Alton Water Sports Centre including sailing, wind surfing and canoeing. Alton Water Sports Centre has a RYA (Royal Yachting Association) training centre, the largest in East Anglia, which runs several training courses. They also hold dinghy races throughout the year.
Events
Alton Water Park hosts several events throughout the year, both on land and on the water, such as sponsored walks and swims. One of the biggest is the Great East Swim which sees hundreds of people take to the water every year to swim up to three miles for charity.
Alton Water Park has something for everyone to enjoy and is a great way to experience the beautiful Suffolk countryside.
Victoria Richman - An experienced, versatile writer with particular focus on the topics of conservation and travel.
