Description:Rudyard Lake is a reservoir constructed in 1797 by engineer John Rennie to feed the Caldon Branch of the Trent & Mersey Canal. It is around 2.5 miles long and covers roughly an area of 168 acres. Over the years the lake has been used for numerous leisure activities, including boating, fishing and walking.
The railway tracks in the foreground formed part of The North Staffordshire Railway's (NSR), Churnet Valley line, which once connected Macclesfield with Leek and Uttoxeter. NSR became part of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway and later British Railways. Passenger services were withdrawn around 1960, freight services continued until 1964 and then the track was lifted.
In later years Rudyard Lake Steam Railway has operated on the former track bed of the NSR Churnet Valley Line and the small narrow gauge railway runs along the side of Rudyard Lake for 2.4km. It is an ideal way of viewing the stunning scenery and there is also a footpath alongside the narrow gauge railway.
On the far side of the lake are: Horton Lodge boathouse, then owned by Tellwright family; the Challenors’ boathouse; and the Davenports’ boathouse, known as 'The Lady of the Lake’.