Kings Mill Reservoir is situated in Sutton-in-Ashfield, in the Ashfield District of Nottinghamshire, close to the boundary of Mansfield, and adjacent to Kings Mill Hospital. It forms part of the Maun from Source to Vicar Water water body.
History Kings Mill Reservoir, also known as Mill Waters, used to be part of the Welbeck Estate owned by the William Bentinck, 4th Duke of Portland, former Member of Parliament for Petersfield. The reservoir was created in 1839 after the Duke in 1837 commissioned the flooding of 72 acres of farmland and the ancient mill pond, with the aim of supplying water to the mills along the River Maun. An early record of the mill at Kings Mill can be seen in Domesday Book dating to 1086.
In the time of Henry II of England, the King visited what is now known as Kings Mill, staying at the home of Sir John Cockle for a night having been hunting in Sherwood Forest. Sir John Cockle was later known as the Miller of Mansfield.
The Mill Adventure Base
The Mill Adventure Base at Kings Mill Reservoir is a purpose-built adventure centre designed to provide activities to young people of Nottinghamshire. Young people are able to stay in the camping pods or the tented village on site.
Some of the activities include archery, canoeing, high ropes, mountain biking, an outdoor climbing tower, raft building, zip wire and shelter building. The centre is run by Nottinghamshire County Council and also includes other sites Bestwood Environmental Education Centre and Hagg Farm Outdoor Education Centre in the Peak District. An open water swimming group have also operated from the base.‘Erratic’ water test results lead to closure of popular King’s Mill Reservoir swimming club Notts TV, 20 January 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2026
Amenities There is the Mill Waters cafe close to the Mill Adventure Centre.
The Hermitage local nature reserve
Situated directly downstream on the reservoir's outfall beneath the site of the old Kings Mill and overlooked by Kings Mill Viaduct, a listed structure and part of the historic Mansfield and Pinxton Railway, the reserve lies alongside a small section of the next mill pond along the route, originally powering Hermitage Mill.Hermitage Mill IPG Mansfield District Council. Retrieved 12 March 2026
The small wildlife haven was established on land bequeathed by former solicitor Col. J.N. Vallance,Notices under the Trustee Act 1925, s. 27 The London Gazette, 25 August 1981. Retrieved 12 March 2026A post-war military O.B.E. group of six awarded to Colonel J. N. Vallance, Sherwood Foresters, late Royal Artillery Noonans Auctioneers, 17 May 2016. Retrieved 12 March 2026 who lived at nearby Hermitage House, for the use and good of the local people. 46 species of birds have been recorded, including at an established Heronry.Springwatch: Herons at Hermitage Local Nature Reserve BBC News, 10 June 2010. Retrieved 12 March 2026 Several more local reserves provide a green wildlife corridor along the River Maun.
Owned by Mansfield District Council since 1986 and given Local Nature Reserve status in 2004, it has been closed-off to public since early December 2024, due to hazardous conditions including poor walkways and diseased trees. As of February 2026, the council had submitted a planning application to fell some trees protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) and commissioned a specialist's report.The Hermitage Mansfield District Council. Retrieved 12 March 2026Removal of 7 no. trees covered by a Tree Preservation Order Mansfield District Council. Retrieved 12 March 2026
Former sailing club Sutton-in-Ashfield Sailing Club was for 63 years situated at the reservoir on land leased from Ashfield District Council, initially at a peppercorn rent of £75,Angry Sutton Sailing Club supporter hits out at Ashfield Council Chad, 23 June 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2026 with the club's 2018-19 lease expired in October 2019 costing £1,100.
Starting in 2020,Thousands sign petition calling for Ashfield council to scrap plans that could 'destroy' sailing club Nottinghamshire Live, 7 January 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2026 the council wanted to halve the storage area used for small dingies and submitted a planning application to turn some land into a new facility including a chargeable public car park, prompting a club spokesperson to comment "We believe in the long term the council wants to get rid of us to introduce a commercial venture here of some type". New conditions were imposed including increased charges of £3,000 per annum, which the club, as a volunteer-run, non-profit organisation with a history of providing free and low cost sailing, decided was not feasible.Sailing club in Nottinghamshire at odds with council over car park plan Nottinghamshire Live, 2 October 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2026Last chance to enjoy sailing at King's Mill reservoir as Sutton club launches final season Chad, 15 April 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2026
Using government monies allocated via the Towns Fund, the council developed a new facility intended to provide potential for greater public participation across a wider range of water-based activities.Sutton-in-Ashfield: Water sports hub and restaurant plan for reservoir BBC News, 27 January 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2026Water sports hub and restaurant at King's Mill Reservoir approved BBC News, 1 February 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2026Work on Kings Mill Reservoir Towns Fund project starts Chad, 29 June 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2026 After delays following building-completion, an operator, who will "invest £316,000 over five years", was appointed in late 2025.Deal struck over new 80-seater waterside restaurant in Nottinghamshire ending 'disappointing' delay Nottinghamshire Live, 20 December 2025. Retrieved 9 March 2026
References
External links