Inland Dive Sites in England

With the unpredictability of the English weather, inlandextends to a depth of 120 feet, some hydroboxes, a
dive sites in England provide a welcome alternative totunnel, and training platforms for diving courses. The
sea diving, which is seasonal and can be unsafe in badwater temperature here varies from 64 F on the
weather. While enthusiasts can dive all year round,surface to 43 F at the lower depths. The staff are
these sites are also excellent for beginners, as manyknown to be very helpful, and there are showers, a
offer are safe introductory training environments,shop and food facilities.
including "wreck" diving and gradual depth building.If you don't mind diving without facilities, Littleton Pit,
Some of the best sites are Stoney Cove, Vobstera gravel pit in Shepperton, Middlesex, South East
Quay and Littleton Pit.England, offers some wreck attractions, a diving line
England's safe and sheltered inland diving sites offerand platform, and a variety of fish. The depth is 20
divers plenty of variety and a range of facilities. Asfeet with visibility of up to 6 feet. However, you do
they are very popular it's best to try and visit duringneed to belong to a sailing club and pay a fee to visit
the week, especially as parking on the weekend canthis site.
be a problem. The water is cold, so a dry suit isAnother site that is worth a visit is The Rez at
recommended all year round, although some hardyLongsdon, Staffordshire, which is an underground
divers may prefer to risk a semi dry suit betweenreservoir with a depth of 7 feet and visibility of 16-32
the months of June and October.feet. It is small and dark, and good for overhead
One of the most popular inland dive sites in England isdiving and line-laying practice. The cafe at the Rez
Stoney Cove, which is an inland quarry in Stoneyprovides much needed refreshment and the staff are
Stanton near Leicester. The water temperature herevery friendly. Other centers worth visiting include the
is always cold (up to 63 F in summer), and some ofBlue Lagoon in Yorkshire; Capenwray Quarry in
its many attractions are the abundance of fish,Lancashire (offering excellent viewing wrecks and
including pike, roach, and crayfish. The deepest divingplenty of fish); Eccleston Depth, also in Lancashire
stretches to 120 feet and there is a novice area thatand the National Diving and Activity Center in
only goes down to 22 feet. The centre has manyGloucestershire.
attractions, including two hydroboxes and manyInland dive sites in England offer 'diving-made-easy'
wrecks. Facilities include a shop, toilets and a pub.for anyone who wants to avoid the edge of danger
Vobster Quay is an inland quarry in Mells, Somerset,and bad weather which is often experienced off the
in the South of England and offers a dive thatrugged English coastline.