The Wildlife Discovery Room

Pond dipping, Sarah Watson

Pond dipping, Sarah Watson 

The Wildlife Discovery Room

Perfect for pond dipping, Forest Schools and campfire activities

Our Wildlife Discovery Room at Carsington Water offers it all, with an indoor classroom and a purpose-built outdoor classroom we have access to so many fabulous facilities!

The indoor classroom is ideally placed for schools and courses as it sits in the main visitor centre courtyard, allowing easy access to the Severn Trent exhibition, Toilets (including a changing places toilet), shops, playground and cafes.

Our outdoor classroom has a pond dipping platform, woodland trails and even a roundhouse shelter to make activities such as Nature Tots, family events, school visits and training sessions more comfortable in all weathers.

Come on, let's have some fun!

Know before you go

We're really easy to find -  our address is: 

Carsington Water, Carsington, near Ashbourne, Derbyshire, DE6 1ST

Parking

Parking at Carsington Water Visitor Centre is £3 for two hours and £5 for the whole day. 

Access

The outdoor classroom is directly opposite the Stone's Island next to the reservoir. Follow the main route from the visitor centre entrance and you will see the gate on your left hand side, opposite the sculpture mound. 

The indoor classroom is accessed via the main courtyard - the door is to the left of the courtyard between the ice cream shop and toilets. 

Facilities

Toilets

Shops as part of the Visitor Centre

Refreshments as part of the Visitor Centre

Picnic areas dotted around the reservoir

Outdoor play areas

Bird hides 

Access to water sport facilities 

Opening times

The Education Room and Outdoor Classroom open for scheduled events.

Please see our What's On section to discover what is coming up.

Pond dipping, Sarah Watson

Pond dipping, Sarah Watson 

Teacher's corner

Learn more
All our lives are better when they're a bit wild
The Wildlife Trusts

We also work with schools and teachers across the county, offering school trips to nature reserves and activities such as pond dipping or building bug hotels, plus, we also visit schools - ensuring playgrounds are perfect for wildlife and teachers are clued up on all things wild!

Like what we do? Get more involved...

Check out all our events

Let's have some fun together