Regarded by many divers as the premier inland diver-training site, this Midlands most famous quarry will conjure up thoughts of early training or winter diving. Used by over 50.000 divers each year it can't be that bad. The site has been open for over 25 years and it is likely that over a million dives has been made at the site in that time. Some divers scoff at the mere mention of Stoney Cove implying that it is somehow not real diving however where else can divers dive, up to 35 metres in controlled conditions during bad weather or winter months. Many beginners complete their first open water dives as part of their training here. Most experienced divers may well remember their own first dives done in less than ideal conditions at inshore sites Stoney Cove has facilities that few inland sites can match.
On arrival at the centre you are met at the gate where you pay your entrance fee, you are then free to choose a suitable parking space depending on what sort of diving you wish to do, the best position is to be in the main car park but if you want to get there you have to arrive early. At the upper end of the car park there is a plan of the cove showing the suggested routes for beginners, intermediate divers, and those who consider themselves experienced divers.
Entry to the water can be made at various points, which include a slipway, a central platform and raised platform, which all lead off the main car park. The central platform provides a good starting point for most tours of the cove from here you can head for one of the sunken attractions or drop over a ledge into deeper water. The cove consists of a series of ledges and walls in 10 - 12 metres down to the maximum depth of 36 metres. Just like the sea the deeper sites can be dark and are only for the experienced diver, dives to these sites should be well planned and only carried out by divers who are experienced at these depths, all the considerations for deep diving in the ocean apply equally here.
The shallower sites offer ideal training sites because of light penetration and controlled conditions and some interesting things to dive. The most dived attraction is the nose cone of a "Viscount" aircraft in round 7 metres, the original plan was to sink the full fuselage but it proved to long for the narrow road so the only cockpit was placed in the cove. It was submerged to provide an air disaster scenario for an escape and rescue competition and has lasted so many after. It has survived in the fresh water pretty well, except for being totally stripped by visiting divers over the years.
The next attraction most visited by divers is that of the Wessex helicopter, which sits in 20 metres, in an upright position. It was used extensively by the RAF as a test bed and actually had very few flying hours before becoming a source of spares and finally ending up at the cove. Unfortunately this has suffered the same fate as the viscount aircraft and has been totally stripped! It is worth a visit and is ideal for those divers who are starting to venture a little deeper and looking to log something different in their logbooks.
Another popular attraction to the quarry is the wreck of the steam powered tug the "Stanegarth". It was an immense task getting the tug to the waters of the cove. In order to get the tug under motorway bridges the wheelhouse was removed and later replaced at the quarry. The wreck was made diver / environmentally friendly by removing all oil and contamination. The wreck of the Stanegarth will provide divers with a safe wreck-diving facility for many years to come. Divers will be able to access the wheelhouse, chartroom, engine room, along with the forward and aft cabins. The wreck is located in the 20 metre range on the same plateau as the helicopter and a single decker coach.
Other attractions include numerous well placed vehicles, a replica sailing ship, various old mine workings and a light aircraft. All offer good opportunities for the photographer. Although over 400 divers can pass through the gates each day (weekends) this rarely leads to overcrowding in the water as divers arrive and dive at staggered intervals. Arriving late at the weekend will see you parking in one of the overspill car parks, this means kitting up and walking to the waters edge fully kitted.
The weekend is undoubtedly the busiest time, the best time to visit the site is during the week, Visibility in excess of 15 metres is not unheard of with it generally around 10 metres, there is however a bloom around the end of July when it drops drastically for around a week. There is a surprising amount of marine life to be encountered sometimes more than you encounter in the sea! Freshwater species include Chubb, perch, bream, and some resident pike, no fishing is allowed here so some fish have grown to a considerable size. One particular specimen to look for is the infamous Loch Ness replica "monster" which is 4 metres in length and tends to be seen in different places waiting to surprise the diver!
One reason for the good visibility is that the cove has a bottom of rock / granite, which was mined in the early 1700s when the area was known as "Mill Hill" eventually closing in 1958. The quarry was then allowed to naturally flood and was all but forgotten about until divers discovered it in the early 60's. The site as we know it was taken over by Martin Woodward in 1978, "Stoney Cove Marine Trials" was established, and with sport diving rapidly increasing the site was developed and facilities improved. Those divers diving during the winter months are advised to have cold water regulator kits fitted as the water temperature can drop to 3c, normal temperatures are around 16c, although it can peak at 21c at the height summer. Stoney Cove is situated approximately 9 miles south of Leicester and is within easy reach of many clubs.
The majority of visiting divers are normally undertaking some form of diver training before embarking on open water diving in the sea. Stoney Cove can offer guided dives for the diver without a buddy however NO solo diving is allowed. Divers using "Rebreathers" are required to use a surface marker buoy.
Stoney Cove has all the facilities any diver could ask for on site. There is a well stocked dive shop selling most major brands of equipment alongside it's own brand "Hydrotech". A good range of hire equipment is available should the diver forget something, just take your qualification logbook with you. Two 35 cu\ft\min compressors where installed in 1994 along with an air bank of 85.000 litres, this should satisfy most divers needs. As well as cylinder filling the site offers cylinder testing and does around 1500 fills each year, fully qualified service engineers are on site for regulator servicing. Stoney Cove has its own diver training facilities with divers working towards professional instructor qualifications or just for sport. There is a range of specialty courses available for those seeking something different. Car parking for 250 is available in the main car park with easy access to the water, showers and changing rooms are a welcome sight on a winters day. Stoney Cove has well planned rescue and first aid procedures with a rescue boat ready and waiting. At one time the site maintained and used a recompression chamber on site and sadly it has been used on occasions. Unfortunately fatalities have occurred, this is not a reflection on the site and has been through no fault of the centre, the problem lies with the divers themselves diving beyond their experience and diving after a long lay off and going straight into the deeper areas. All divers are strongly advised to dive only to depths commensurate with their experience and training
Launched at the dive show 'Dive 98' in October 1998, Stoney Cove introduced diverlog. Once the diver registers their medical details are held on file so that in an emergency Stoney Cove staff are aware of the divers circumstances. On arrival at the site you will be asked to produce your card. You will be then logged in to the site. You are required to wear your card at all times while at Stoney Cove.
The Cove" is the name of a pub on site offering the cold diver a nice bar meal, it is equipped with an outside serving hatch for the diver to get a hot drink or sandwich without having to remove suits. The well furnished bar has lots of shipwreck memorabilia to show of to the diver. There is something for everyone at Stoney Cove and whilst it is not intended to be a substitute for open water diving in the sea, it is the next best solution for conducting diver training at all levels. Yet another popular sunken attraction is that of a small submarine at the 20 metre level.
If you would like to add to this page why not contact me.
Stoney Cove
Sapcote Road
Stoney Stanton
Leicestershire
Telephone (01455) - 273089
E-mail diving@stoneycove.com
Copyright © Colin Brittain 1999 - 2008