Question 1

What time is the lake open?

Accepted Answer

Manvers Lake is an open site which can be accessed on foot at all times. It is privately by Manvers Lake & Dearne Valley Trust and most of the footpaths are permissive.

The main car park is open daily,  typically at 7am (this varies depending on the time of year) and closes at 8pm.

The cafe and toilets are open throughout the year with slight variations depending on the season. Core times are: Monday to Friday 9am - 3pm, Saturday & Sunday 8:30am - 3pm. These are extended slightly in the summer months.

Question 2

How far is the walk around the lake?

Accepted Answer

The walk around Manvers Lake is about 1.25 miles (2 km), making it a pleasant and accessible route for all ages and abilities. In addition to the lake circuit, there are two scenic circular walks that also connect with the Trans Pennine Trail, ranging from 3 km to 5 km in length.

You can download a handy map of all the routes from the Manvers Waterfront Boat Club website.

Downloads | MWBC

Question 3

How much is car parking?

Accepted Answer

Any members of Manvers Waterfront Boat Club get free parking included in their membership  (your registration number is entered onto our system and we have 'number recognition cameras').

For any other visitors the suggested donation costs are:
Up to 2 hours - £2
2 to 4 hours - £3
All day - £4

Please note:
Car park locked at 8pm
All vehicles left at owners risk
No overnight parking

Question 4

Do you have a café?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we have a takeaway café located at the front of the boathouse, overlooking the lake. There's plenty of outdoor seating on the patio, as well as an indoor area for when our good old British weather is less than pleasant. Dogs are very welcome in both spaces! Toilets are available whenever the café is open.

Question 5

Do you have any toilets?

Accepted Answer

Yes, toilets are available whenever the café is open.

Question 6

Can I bring dogs to walk around the lake?

Accepted Answer

Dogs are allowed on site but we do ask that they are kept on a lead in the area surrounding the boathouse and are kept under close control around the lake and parkland  in order to protect wildlife.

Question 7

Who owns the lake?

Accepted Answer

The lake and parkland is private land open to the public for casual use at their risk, owned by Manvers Lake & Dearne Valley Trust.

Question 8

Are you a registered charity?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in December 2012 we became a Registered Charity -  No. 1150159.
We are also a 'Limited Liability (Not for profit) Company' - No. 07521620.
All donations and any surplus are recycled into our charitable activities.

Question 9

Can anyone use the lake?

Accepted Answer

In order to use the lake and surrounding parkland recreationally you must be a member of 'Manvers Waterfront Boat Club'.

Please see their website for further information at:

Question 10

One of the swans on the lake is injured, what should I do?

Accepted Answer

If you see a swan in need of help, please contact the 'Yorkshire Swan & Wildlife Rescue Hospital'.
Telephone Helpline: 01757 544554
www.ysrh.org.uk

Question 11

Can you help with injured wildlife?

Accepted Answer

We don't have the expertise to deal with injured birds / animals. The RSPB have have created the following information guide to help you find the correct agency to help.
Found an Injured Bird? Here's What to Do

Question 12

Dogs are harming wildlife - can you enforce them to be on leads?

Accepted Answer

There is no restriction that the council has imposed that dogs have to be on leads around the lake. This is normally covered by a 'Public Space Protection Order'.

It is a criminal offence for dogs to harm wildlife.

The 'Trusts' signs ask that dogs are kept under close control in order to protect wildlife and amenity of the area around the lake.

Question 13

Do you have CCTV?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The boathouse vicinity including car park and foreshore have multiple cameras. The lake has some CCTV coverage, one of which is available to the public via the following link:
Webcam | MWBC

Abuse, assaults on staff, poaching, trespassing and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and all incidents are logged and reported to the police. In some instances the Trust will take legal action itself. The police do come and view the footage from our CCTV.

Question 14

Can I camp overnight?

Accepted Answer

No overnight camping is allowed on site.

NB: Occasionally we will allow camping for an approved event only which must be booked on via webcollect.

Frequently Asked Questions