The biggest one, Lake Meglino, is shared with Moshenskoy District and drains into the Mologa via the Meglinka.

The area was originally populated by Balto-Finnic peoples; Krivich Slavs arrived later.

The region experienced an influx of settlers in the 13th century, when peasants were fleeing the Mongols.

In 1796, the viceroyalty was abolished, and the area, then a part of Ustyuzhensky Uyezd, was transferred to Novgorod Governorate.

Simultaneously, uyezds were abolished, and, effective October 1, 1927,[2] Pestovsky District was established within Cherepovets Okrug, with the administrative center in the settlement of Pestovo.

[12] On July 5, 1944, Pestovsky District was transferred to newly established Novgorod Oblast and remained there ever since.

[14] The mechanical factory in Pestovo currently mainly produces metallic containers and construction blocks.

A road connecting Ustyuzhna and Borovichi runs through the district, passing Pestovo.