The
Unofficial WebsiteThrybergh Country Park
Thrybergh Reservoir was constructed in the 1880s to provide drinking water for the people of Doncaster. It was purchased by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council in 1980.
The lake provides fishing in the summer season - tickets available on site. The Fly Fishing Club meets at Thrybergh Country Park Tel. Alan 01709 850353.
There are level walks around the lake and electric scooters can be hired from the visitors' centre. The walk around one side of the lake is closed from October to the beginning of April each year as over-wintering birds nest here. There is a cafe and picnic/barbecue area, visitors' centre, souvenir shop and children's adventure playground. The running of the cafe was taken over by Rotherham Council a which back (I write this bit in March 2005) and the food has proved so popular that the kitchens have been recently extended to cope with the demand. There is outside seating for visiting pariahs who smoke or have dogs.
There are bird-watching hides - the previous time we walked here the banks around the lake were home to loads of sand-martins much given to dive-bombing all and sundry. Because of its open position the lake rarely freezes and provides a regular feeding and roosting site for wintering wildfowl and gulls.
No cycling, no swimming. Car parking charges. Camping and caravanning (details under Tourism >> Tourist Information & Advice >> Accommodation in Rotherham - Camping and Caravanning.
There are many Ranger-led activities for groups and schools. Other than a short walk, a bit of bird-watching and a cuppa there really isn't that much to do here. The last time we visited we included the walk around half of the lake as part of a longer wander around Thrybergh. We visited again on Easter Sunday 2007 when the Farmers' Market was held here and boy was it throng. The weather was great and I've not seen so many people out for a walk in years.