For those who don't know much about it.
Stoney Cove, Leicestershire - probably the most dived site in the UK is some 145 miles from East Grinstead, and well worth the trip.
Stoney has several layers at varying depths (6m, 20m & 35m). There are a number of entry/exit points. A slipway you can stride/roll-in, The recently re furbished bus stop, or anywhere along the waters edge.
With 100,000 divers visiting the site each year, the platform must have been the most used dive point in the UK, if not the world. I've been here in the past at the weekend when its been very busy with 6-8 divers doing final buddy checks and others exiting at the same time.
It can obviously be very crowded but there is plenty of room, and once you are away from the 6m area where the novices are fin pivoting and hovering it is very good. The visibility can be excellent but like any inland lake it is affected by an alga bloom during the summer.
There are plenty of things to see and explore. More information can be found by following this link
The facilities are reasonable with a snack bar, toilets and showers, and a bar. There is also a shop that has recently been re furbished at vast expense, but I don't expect many of you will go in there :-)
Stoney really is an excellent dive site. There are a lot of different dives to do and you can get some reasonable depth. It is also excellent site to brush up on your navigation as you are given a map with compass bearings for most of the attractions The Itinerary
The weekend was originally planned for a few people to do an Advanced Course. We have decided to open it up to other people so that we can make it a short weekend break for anyone who fancies a visit to try something new.
The plan is to drive up on Saturday morning and do three dives on the first day. It will be an early start, as we would need to be in the water by 9-9.30 am. We should be away by 3.00. After a relax in the hotel, followed by shower and change, dinner is booked at the hotel for 7.30. On Sunday we can have a bit of a lie in, as we plan to do 2 dives and get away by 1.00pm. There are a number of people who are planning to do Advanced courses on this trip as well as a few specialties.(eg wreck) So if you are interested you need to speak to Derek or denise
The hotel is about 5minutes drive away and is pretty good. It is called the Mill on the Soar. It is a basic motel type place but is very comfortable. It has a bar and restaurant with food at a reasonable price.. If any of you have ever eaten at a Hungry Horse Restaurant you will know what to expect !!!There is plenty of choice, and large portions, but it will never win a Michelin star. The room price is exclusive of breakfast but it is served between 8.00am and 10.00am so it may be a bit too late for us. A continental breakfast is available and that is taken to your room the night before. The cost of this is £4.95. Alternatively you can get a bacon roll at Stoney though there are usually long queues. The cost of the room is £42.95 but that is for two people - not per person. Entrance fee to Stoney is £15 per day
A few pictures of the site |
