Tilgate Lake

Tilgate Lake is the biggest of three lakes at Tilgate Park, and remains a popular water activity centre and tourist attraction in Crawley, West Sussex.

Tilgate lake on 6 April 2007 - Attribution: Elliott Simpson

Tilgate Lake Dam Project 2011

As part of the Upper Mole Flood Alleviation Scheme, the raising of the dam at Tilgate Lake was completed in 2011,[1] to provide additional flood storage, protecting hundreds of homes vulnerable to flooding in Furnace Green, Pound Hill, Three Bridges, Tinsley Green and Horley.[2][3]

Current sporting activities (2013)

Tilgate Lake in Tilgate Park has a wide variety of outdoor activities open to the general public, such as Archery, Mountain Biking, Canoeing, Kayaking, Raft Building, Indoor Climbing, Team building, Navigational Challenges and Rowing boat hire and fishing.[4] Equipment available for hire (Nov 2013) are rowing boats, kayaks, canoes and mountain bikes.[5]

The boat house was subject to deliberate Arson on September 24, 2013 and a number of kayaks were destroyed in the fire.[6]

Go Ape

A climbing adventure park constructed in the tree tops near to the former "Inn on the park" (Now Smith & Western).[7]

Park Run

A 5K (five kilometre) park run takes place every week in which part of the course circumnavigates the whole of Tilgate lake.[8] Up to 300 runners take part in the run and the event has been in progress since 9 June 2013. The quickest times run (to Nov 2013) have been and by Neil Boniface in 15 minutes 39 seconds on 21.9.13, in the ladies, Hannah Brooks in 17 minutes 50 seconds on 29.09.12. 2012.[9]

Angling

This is a day ticket water with tickets available form Crawley Borough Council. Fish species available at Tilgate lake include carp and pike to over 30 lb,[10] tench and bronze bream to 7 lb, perch, crucian carp, roach and rudd.[11]

Swimming

As of June 2nd 2016, open water swimming is available on Thursday evenings to members of the national open water coaching association (NOWCA).[12]

Future Expansion

Crawley Borough Council are planning to create a water sports lakeside centre where all the activities will be based. Tilgate Park is a central feature of Crawley and the local council intend to enhance its attraction even further.[13]

References

  1. ↑ "Local procurement on the Upper Mole (Page 18)" (PDF). Environment Agency. 2012.
  2. ↑ "Gatwick Stream Dams Flood Risk Assessment" (PDF). Environment Agency. Jan 2011.
  3. ↑ "Upper Mole Flood Alleviation Scheme". Crawley Borough Council. 2013.
  4. ↑ "Tilgate Lake Activities". Dynamic adventures. 2013.
  5. ↑ "Tilgate Lake equipment for hire". Dynamic adventures. 2013.
  6. ↑ "Arsonists destroy Tilgate Lake canoes and kayaks". Crawley News. 24 Sep 2013.
  7. ↑ "Tilgate Park Go Ape Ecological Appraisal" (PDF). Crawley.gov.uk. Nov 2012.
  8. ↑ "Tilgate park run course". Parkrun.org.uk. 2013.
  9. ↑ "Tilgate park run event history". Parkrun.org.uk. 2013.
  10. ↑ "waters: Cambells Lake". Crawley Angling Society. Retrieved 2014-05-26.
  11. ↑ "Update on Tilgate lake". Crawley Observer. 16 Aug 2011.
  12. ↑ "Tilgate Lake Open Water Swimming". NOWCA. 2016.
  13. ↑ "Tilgate Lake future water sports lakeside centre". Dynamic adventures. 2013.

See also

Coordinates: 51°05′42″N 0°10′30″W / 51.095°N 0.175°W / 51.095; -0.175


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