Activity Centre Opening Times

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: 9am – 5pm

Wednesday: 9am – 5pm

Thursday: 9am – 5pm

Friday: 9am – 5pm

Saturday: 9am – 5pm

Sunday: 9am – 5pm

Cafe Opening Times

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: 9am – 3pm

Wednesday: 9am – 3pm

Thursday: 9am – 3pm

Friday: 9am – 3pm

Saturday: 9am – 5pm

Sunday: 9am – 5pm

Ardingly Reservoir image taken by an Ardingly College student

History of Ardingly Activity Centre

Ardingly Reservoir was completed and filled in 1978 by damming Shell Brook, a tributary of the River Ouse. The brook joins the Ouse around 500 metres south of the reservoir. Water is pumped from the River Ouse during periods of high flow and stored in the reservoir before being treated and distributed to consumers. In its early years, the reservoir was managed as a trout fishery, but it has since become a popular destination for coarse fishing.

The Activity Centre opened shortly after the reservoir’s creation, offering watersports such as windsurfing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and dinghy sailing. It is also home to Ardingly Rowing Club (since 1995) and Mid Sussex Tri Club (since 2000).

In the summer of 2022, exceptionally low water levels led to bank slippage near the Activity Centre, causing significant movement and damage to the retaining wall. Stabilisation works were successfully completed in 2023.

Following Ardingly College’s acquisition of the Centre in December 2024, the Centre Café has been renovated, marking the start of further planned improvements and an exciting new chapter for the site.