Fishing | Sailing | Study centre | Walking | Water skiing | Find UsBlashford Lakes are a series of former gravel pits now used for public water supply, recreation and conservation, set in the River Avon Valley on the Dorset and Hampshire borders. Blashford Lakes are managed under a partnership project between Hampshire Wildlife Trust, Wessex Water and New Forest District Council. Hampshire Wildlife Trust, funded by the other two partners, manages the site for the benefit of wildlife and people alike. The trust employs a full time warden based at the study centre.
Fishing
Blashford/Spinnaker offers coarse fishing to members of the Christchurch Angling Club during the coarse fishing season. For further information contact the club office on 01202 480009 or write to Christchurch Angling Club, 21D Magnolia House, 19-21 Stour Road, Christchurch BH23 1PL.
Sailing
Sailing is available to members of the Blashford Sailing Club only. The club offers dinghy sailing for racing and family use. For more details contact the club administrator on 01425 483692, email theoffice@spinnackerclub.co.uk or visit the website.
Study centre
A fully equipped study centre has been built for use by schools and other educational groups. A full programme of guided walks and visits to the bird hide is available. Education visits to the study centre are available by arrangement with the warden. Contact Jim Day, Blashford Lakes Study Centre, Ellingham Drove, Ringwood BH24 3PJ or telephone 01425 472760.
Walking
A number of public footpaths allow walking around the site. The Avon Valley long distance footpath skirts the eastern edge of Blashford Lakes. There is currently no public parking at the reservoirs.
Water skiing
The Ellingham Water Ski and Wakeboard Club provides waterskiing and wakeboarding for its members but also welcomes visitors wishing to ski. Affiliated to British Water Ski and also to the British Disabled Water Ski Association, the club provides waterskiing for disabled people living in the south west of England. The club is open from March until the end of October.
For information contact club secretary David Waugh, 11 Cedar Avenue, St Leonards, Hants BH24 2QF, telephone day 01425 489483, or visit the club website.
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