A new attraction is being planned for younger visitors to an historic Staffordshire Moorlands tourist destination.

Rudyard Lake was originally constructed as a reservoir in the late 18th century, but became a popular leisure destination during the Victorian era – and even inspired the naming of author Rudyard Kipling.

While visitor numbers declined in the decades following the Second World War, it has enjoyed a revival in more recent years.

The Rudyard Lake Trust celebrates its 30th anniversary this year and modern day visitors can enjoy fishing, rowing, canoeing, sailing and boat trips on the water, as well as walking and cycling on dry land.

The Rudyard Lake Trust is now proposing a new play area on land next to the visitors centre. A planning application has been submitted to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.

A planning, design and access and heritage statement submitted as part of the application said: "Within the play area will be a variety of play equipment including a wildlife finger maze, an ocean finger maze, a wobble bridge, stepping logs, trapeze ropes, balance beam, swing steps, petal drum and rain wheel.

"The play area will be surfaced with a recycle rubber mulch system.

"The proposed play area has been designed to minimise its visual intrusion, and will sit within the existing woodland to the west of the existing car park serving the lake and northwest of the existing outlet turrets.

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"The play area will not be notably visible from the Earl of Macclesfield Boathouse on the eastern shore, but will be visible from the lake itself and from the dam head outlet turrets.

"The setting of those heritage assets is already affected by the presence of the car park and the Rudyard Activity Centre/Café.

"The play area will be a complimentary addition to that area, constructed from a muted palette of materials that will assimilate positively with its woodland surroundings, such that no additional harm to the setting of these heritage assets or to the character and appearance of the area will arise."