RUTLAND WATER
Rutland Water is the biggest manmade expanse of water in the UK. It was built as a series of reservoirs, but large parts of it are also designated nature reser ves, and there are protections in place so that the nature reserve is never drained of water at times of drought. With literally dozens of bird hides and miles of paths to explore, you can while away a whole day there – and considerably more if you’re into bird watching in a big way.
Rutland’s nature reserves also have an amazing variety of insect life: dragonflies, damselflies, butterflies and wildflower meadows. We saw a rare great white egret, grebes and waders. Cormorants basked in the sunshine, sitting on the branches of dead trees.