Stoney Cove, Diving lake in Stoney Stanton, United Kingdom
Stoney Cove is a freshwater diving lake in Stoney Stanton, Leicestershire, fed by natural springs and reaching a depth of around 35 meters at its deepest point. The bottom holds a range of submerged structures, including vessels, aircraft, and vehicles that divers can explore.
The lake was formed when a granite quarry was abandoned in the early 1800s and gradually filled with groundwater. A railway line built in 1850 carried stone from the site until quarrying operations finally stopped in 1958.
Stoney Cove is known among divers across the UK and beyond as a place where people come to train, qualify, and meet others who share the same interest. The regulars form a close-knit group, and newcomers are generally made to feel welcome on the jetties and in the water.
The site is open every day and offers equipment rental and cylinder filling on-site, so it is possible to arrive with relatively little gear. Divers should check in advance which certification level is required for the deeper sections, as access to certain areas depends on training level.
The Stanegarth, resting on the bottom of the lake, is considered the largest inland shipwreck in Britain. It sits alongside sunken aircraft and vehicles, meaning a single dive can take in several very different types of wreck without moving to another site.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
