Major work is continuing to reshape the visitor experience at King’s Mill Reservoir.

The Mill Waters project has included improving an historic viaduct, cafe and the Sutton reservoir. Future work will centre on footpaths and the car park as well as tree planting.

Ashfield District Council and partners, including Nottinghamshire County Council and Mansfield District Council, secured funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for improvements across King’s Mill Reservoir, The Lawn and Hermitage Ponds.

The key improvements are centred on enhancing and connecting people with local heritage. The open spaces along the river corridor retain the story of the mill industries that were once the hub of activity in the area.

Restoration work on the historic King’s Mill viaduct has been completed thanks to £232,000 from the lottery fund.

The viaduct is the oldest of its kind in England, having opened in 1819. The work has provided better access between Mansfield and Ashfield and created a viewing platform over the Hermitage ponds.

Dredging work at the reservoir, which started in October, is due to be completed in March. The work includes the formation of sediment breaks, which will assist in the natural formation of reed-bed islands at the main inlet, forming new habitat.

Improvement work at the site’s heritage centre café are close to completion, having started in November. The refurbishment of the existing café provides panoramic views across the reservoir and has also created space to display a snapshot of local heritage.

District and county councillor Samantha Deakin said: “I’m extremely proud of the work that is being done at King’s Mill Reservoir. The Mill Waters project would not be possible without National Lottery Players and it’s bringing a vast amount of improvements to the site all the way through to Sutton Lawn.

“I’m sure that this will be a turning point in Ashfield’s visitor economy, as well as benefiting wildlife and activity participation.”

Footpath and access improvements will start in the spring and be completed by June. This includes the expansion of the car park to accommodate expected growing visitor numbers.

Later in the year new trees will be planted to improve the habitat, which will also begin to establish a small woodland trail.

A Mill Waters project ranger started work in September. Based at the Mill Adventure Base, she is leading volunteering and community activities for the project.

The Love Exploring app is also now available at Sutton Lawn and Kings Mill Reservoir, providing interactive games and trail activities.

It can be downloaded from the App Store for Google Play.

More information is available at the new Mill Waters website, www.millwaters.org.uk