[2] Owned and managed by Severn Trent Water,[3] it is located just to the south of the M45 motorway in the hamlet of Draycote, which is close to Dunchurch.

[2] It has an area of approximately 240 hectares (590 acres), with a maximum depth of 70 feet (21 m) and a capacity of 5 billion gallons (23 million m³).

[5] Draycote Water was built between 1967 and 1969, to cope with rising demand in eastern and southern Warwickshire, and opened in 1970.

[2] In early 2012 the reservoir had to be closed temporarily, as record-low rainfall during the winter months had caused its level to reduce to less than 50% of capacity.

This includes the great northern diver, which makes a prolonged visit during the winter months, along with kittiwake and small numbers of Mediterranean and little gulls.

A track around the perimeter allows cyclists and walkers to circumnavigate the reservoir, a total distance of 5 miles (8 km).