Rudyard Lake
Rudyard Lake is a man-made lake in Rudyard, Staffordshire, constructed as a reservoir in the late 1700s to feed the Caldon Canal. During the 1800s the lake was a popular destination for daytrippers taking advantage of easy access using the newly constructed North Staffordshire Railway. The lake is still used for many water activities such as boating, canoeing, fishing and also for walks and recreational steam train trips.
History
The village of Rudyard was named after Ralph Rudyard, a local man reputed to have killed Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field.[1] Rudyard Lake was constructed by the engineer John Rennie, for the Trent and Mersey Canal company in 1797–98 to feed the Caldon Canal.[2]
On 26 June 1846 the North Staffordshire Railway successfully took over the canal company and lake as part of one of its acts of parliament that resulted in the formation of the North Staffordshire Railway. Having acquired the lake and the land around it the railway used the land down one side as the route for its Churnet Valley Line between Macclesfield and Uttoxeter. Two stations were built, one at Rudyard village, a station later renamed Rudyard Lake, and one at the north end of the lake called Rudyard Lake but later renamed Cliffe Park[3]
Because of the accessibility brought by the railway stations, daytrippers and tourists began visiting the lake. Visitors included John Lockwood Kipling and Alice Macdonald, the parents of Rudyard Kipling, who met there on a trip from Burslem. They liked the place so much they named their son after it.[1] By the end of the 1800s up to 20,000 people visited the lake each day.[2] Matthew Webb, the first man to swim the English Channel, entertained crowds by demonstrating his swimming in the lake, and Charles Blondin performed a tightrope walk across the lake.[2]
Attractions
The lake is home to Rudyard Lake Sailing Club and North Staffordshire Rowing Club. Fishing, walking, canoeing and boat trips are popular attractions.[4] The lake has a visitor centre and an activity centre which can be hired for functions or conferences. An annual lake festival is held on a Sunday in August and a firework display takes place in November.
The Rudyard Lake Steam Railway runs narrow gauge steam trains that operate up the east side of the lake on many days throughout the year. It is possible to walk round the lake or walk part way and start/finish the journey by steam train.
Top Gear episode
The BBC's motoring show Top Gear held a challenge at the lake in 2006 to see which presenter had designed the best amphibious car. Richard Hammond's attempt sank while Jeremy Clarkson's attempt capsized with Richard on board at the end of the challenge. However, James May's Triumph Herald, complete with sail and mast, performed well, despite the almost total absence of wind, and he was able to drive it out of the water, thus winning the challenge.
Outside links
- Rudyard Lake
- Rudyard Lake Sailing Club
- North Staffordshire Rowing Club
- Rudyard Lake Steam Railway website
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Potteries – Did You Know, Rudyard Lake Accessed 16 July 2012
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Rudyard Lake official website – a history of Rudyard Accessed 16 July 2012
- ↑ Jeuda, Basil (1999). The Churnet Valley Railway. Lydney, Gloucestershire: Lightmoor Press. p. 62. ISBN 978-1-899889-05-1.
- ↑ Rudyard Lake – Activities Accessed 16 July 2012
