Draycote Water

Draycote Water is an ideal place for a family day out in Warwickshire. There is lots to do at this great site from walking to watersports.

Draycote Water is near the village of Dunchurch in the county of Warwickshire. It is 4 miles south west of Rugby and 10 miles east of Coventry.

The reservoir itself was named after the nearby hamlet of Draycote. There is a flat five mile road surrounding the reservoir which is ideal for a leisurely stroll, run or cycle. Take in the stunning view from the top of Hensborough Hill and then follow footpath down to the country park where you will find plenty of room for outdoor games, picnics and barbeques. Boasting sailing, fishing and bird watching clubs, the site is a very popular destination for a family day out in Warwickshire. Please note dogs are only permitted in the country park and not around the reservoir.

Why was the reservoir created here?

The reservoir was built to meet the ever increasing demand for water from south and east Warwickshire. It was decided that this was an ideal place for the reservoir as the land was low lying, and had a series of 5 small hills and a ridge which was linked together by 6 dams, it is also in close proximity to the river.

What was there before, and how long did it take to build the Reservoir?

Before the land was used for the reservoir, it was agricultural land. The construction on the reservoir started in 1967 and was completed in 1969. It was opened in 1970 and first completely filled up in 1972.

What is the Reservoirs role in the water supply network?

The water from the reservoir can be used in a number of ways, it is released back into the river at times of low flow, it can be piped directly to Wiles meadow Reservoir to dilute the effects of high nitrate levels there or it can be drawn off at Draycote water treatment works before being pumped through the distribution system out to Rugby and Coventry.

Where does the water come from?

Draycote is a pumped storage reservoir which means that it has no natural feed. During the winter months it is filled by water being pumped from the river Leam at Eathorpe. At other times it is filled by pumping water from Severn Trent reservoirs at Stanford and Brownsover.

In 2012 a pipeline link was added to Draycote Water, this was in response to dryer weather conditions. This pipeline links Draycote Reservoir to the River Leam at Wiles meadow near Leamington Spa.

How deep and big is the reservoir?

The reservoir is 630 acres (240ha) the distance around the edge is 5 miles, the maximum depth is 70ft and the capacity is 5, 000, 000, 000 gallons.