The lakes were formed through the quarrying of sand and gravel deposits, these excavations subsequently flooded and were then restored to create the nature reserve.

During the early 2000s, quarry operations ceased and the site was bought by the National Forest Company to be restored and retained as a nature reserve.

The reserve comprises two lakes split by an elevated main railway line carrying the Cross Country Route.

The east side has lowland wet grassland, rushy pastures and mature trees surrounding the 2.7 hectares (6.7 acres) lake.

Erected in 2006 as part of the National Forest Company's LANDshapes project, the Noon Column was created by David Nash and is sculpted from English oak.

The sun will shine through the vertical slot for 10–15 minutes at 'true' noon on midsummer and midwinter's days, creating a line of light in the shadow cast by the column.