Included in Fairthornes Manor’s 95 acres of stunning grounds, there is a rich history that surrounds our lakes and access to the River Hamble. Our water programmes have for decades helped improve young people’s water confidence and the opportunity to learn new skills through kayaking, raft building, canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding to over 30,000 visitors each year.
From Fairthorne Manor’s origins as a private house during the Victorian era, there was a fishing lake on-site for the residents to enjoy, but later on in the 1970s it was reinstated to become a lake for people to partake in water-based activities and has been enjoyed and used successfully since.
Unfortunately, during the winter months of 2022/23, large storms brought down some of the trees close to the bank at the edge of the lake, compromising the stability of the bank. Further heavy rain and storms continued to erode the bank until it was completely washed away in the spring of 2023, reducing the lake to a wetland for the local wildlife! We continued to deliver water activities throughout the 2023 season on our sheltered waters of the upper River Hamble whilst we sought a solution to reinstate and strengthen the bank. In the Spring of 2024, contractors worked hard to reinforce the bank and dredge the lake to reinstate a suitable water depth, and by May 2024 the work was completed and the lake returned to its former glory.
The lake was reopened on Monday 6th May 2024 as part of our Family Fun Day where 900 people enjoyed a fun-filled day of fun! We are hosting another on the 27th May 2024. Why not come along and see the new lake for yourself.
