Dosthill Quarry
Dosthill Quarry is an easily accessible spring-fed freshwater lake located in the heart of Dosthill, Tamworth. It is conveniently located near the M42 and the M6, making it a convenient diving destination in the United Kingdom. The quarry has specific opening times, with Thursday and Friday operating from 1300 to 2100, and Saturday and Sunday from 0700 to 1600. It's important to note that the last entry is allowed 90 minutes before closing time.
Divers visiting Dosthill Quarry can expect to encounter a diverse range of aquatic life. The lake is home to various species, including Roach, Perch, Carp, Pike, Sturgeon, Sterlet, Eel, White claw Crayfish, and Tench. With a maximum depth of 15m and a visibility of 4m, it offers an excellent diving experience for both beginners and advanced divers.
Dosthill Quarry holds a significant historical value as it is the center of Dosthill and was mentioned in the Domesday Book after the Norman conquest of England in 1066. Initially referred to as "Dercelai," which translates to Dorsethull, the area evolved into Dosthill over time. The quarry's excavation for its granite began in the 1800s and reached its turning point in 1934 when a large slab was removed, causing the quarry to be flooded by a freshwater spring.
The flooded quarry quickly became a popular spot for locals, offering various activities such as cliff jumping, swimming, and zipline rides. In 1958, scuba diving was officially introduced, making Dosthill Quarry the UK's first national dive site. The British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC), the governing body of the sport, purchased the site in 1981, ensuring its continued recognition as a national dive site.
The future of Dosthill Quarry faced uncertainty in 1988 when a court case threatened both the site and the BSAC. Thankfully, Ian Forster, the owner of Gildenburgh Water near Peterborough, the UK's second national dive site, stepped in and purchased Dosthill Quarry. For over 30 years, Forster has been responsible for securing the future of the quarry and maintaining its status as a premier diving destination.
If you're planning to dive in Dosthill, Tamworth, the address for close location reference is Dive Dozzi, Church Road, Dosthill, Tamworth, Staffordshire, West Midlands, England, B77 1LL, United Kingdom. Divechamp.com provides further information and resources for divers interested in exploring this remarkable dive site.
Divers visiting Dosthill Quarry can expect to encounter a diverse range of aquatic life. The lake is home to various species, including Roach, Perch, Carp, Pike, Sturgeon, Sterlet, Eel, White claw Crayfish, and Tench. With a maximum depth of 15m and a visibility of 4m, it offers an excellent diving experience for both beginners and advanced divers.
Dosthill Quarry holds a significant historical value as it is the center of Dosthill and was mentioned in the Domesday Book after the Norman conquest of England in 1066. Initially referred to as "Dercelai," which translates to Dorsethull, the area evolved into Dosthill over time. The quarry's excavation for its granite began in the 1800s and reached its turning point in 1934 when a large slab was removed, causing the quarry to be flooded by a freshwater spring.
The flooded quarry quickly became a popular spot for locals, offering various activities such as cliff jumping, swimming, and zipline rides. In 1958, scuba diving was officially introduced, making Dosthill Quarry the UK's first national dive site. The British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC), the governing body of the sport, purchased the site in 1981, ensuring its continued recognition as a national dive site.
The future of Dosthill Quarry faced uncertainty in 1988 when a court case threatened both the site and the BSAC. Thankfully, Ian Forster, the owner of Gildenburgh Water near Peterborough, the UK's second national dive site, stepped in and purchased Dosthill Quarry. For over 30 years, Forster has been responsible for securing the future of the quarry and maintaining its status as a premier diving destination.
If you're planning to dive in Dosthill, Tamworth, the address for close location reference is Dive Dozzi, Church Road, Dosthill, Tamworth, Staffordshire, West Midlands, England, B77 1LL, United Kingdom. Divechamp.com provides further information and resources for divers interested in exploring this remarkable dive site.
Diving Conditions Score for Dosthill Quarry
5.5
AverageAverage conditions, be alert.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.
Dive Site Overview for Dosthill Quarry
Depth
15m
Visibility
4m
Experience Level
beginner
advanced
Weather Conditions for Dosthill Quarry
Wave Height
1m
Wind Speed
13.3 m/s
Water Temp
18°C
Visibility
23.16km
Cloud Cover
0%
Wave Period
8s
Air Temperature
19.3°C
Precipitation
0 mm
Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Dosthill Quarry
Alpha
Dive Score Chart for Dosthill Quarry
Best time to dive: 7:00 with score 6.873333333333333/10. Water conditions: Waves 1m, Wind 16.2 m/s.Best night dive time: 2:00 with score 6.497133333333334/10.
Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.
Sunrise at Dosthill Quarry: 06:00
Sunset at Dosthill Quarry: 18:00
Optimal diving conditions at Dosthill Quarry are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Best Overall
7:00Score: 6.9/10
Waves: 1m (8s), Wind: 16.2 m/s
Safest Overall
6:00Score: 6.9/10
Waves: 1m (8s), Wind: 14.8 m/s
Best Night
2:00Score: 6.5/10
Waves: 1m, Wind: 8.6 m/s
Seasonal Analysis for Dosthill QuarryAlpha
Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Dosthill Quarry
The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.
Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Seasonal DiveScore Chart
This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Best Season for Dosthill Quarry
Winter
Avg. Score: 8.2/10
Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.
Best Months for Dosthill Quarry
December
Score: 8.6
January
Score: 8.3
February
Score: 7.8
Ideal Conditions for Dosthill Quarry
Water Temp
18.3°C / 64.9°F
July
Visibility
16.6m / 54.5ft
December
Wave Height
0.7m / 2.3ft
December
Wave Period
8.0s
January
Seasonal Insights for Dosthill Quarry
Dosthill Quarry shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with July being the warmest month (18.3°C) and December the coldest (-0.5°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in December with average wave heights of 0.7m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in December with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). January is usually the driest month with 0.0mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during December to February, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.
Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 19, 2026
Note: This dive site is not a verified dive site. Please dive with caution. This dive site might have incorrect information by the community.
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