With its tree-lined perimeter dotted with distinctive wooden lodges you could easily be forgiven for thinking you'd skipped a few thousand miles and landed up in some Scandinavian retreat.
But Cleveley Mere Fishing and Lodges, a privately run trout fishery and nature reserve, is actually just a few moments drive outside Forton.
And despite its superbly calm location, the facility is making a big noise in green tourism.
Earlier this year owner Peter Brown announced the opening of a new guest lodge and the introduction of many new facilities in and around the 23 acre lake - additions that are sure to add to the success story.
Peter has devoted the last six years to establishing a haven for both fishermen and wildlife and, in 2005, he received a Green Tourism Award for outstanding achievement in environmental sustainability.
Cleveley Mere was also declared the Tourism Sports Facility of the Year in the 2005/2006 Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards.
However, not content to rest on his laurels, Peter and his team have spent recent months making improvements to the lake and the surrounding land, and building a new luxury guest Finlodge with the help of a LRTi grant from Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board.
An important addition is a fishing area specially developed for beginners and children (those under 12 years go free). Easy to monitor, safe and with the promise of excellent catches, the new area is heavily stocked and was created by clearing scrub and invasive trees which, left unmanaged, could quickly choke the lake margins.
Now officially recognised as a Heritage Site, Cleveley Mere also boasts more open areas and a greater variety of natural piers and casting platforms around the lake, while the fly fishing facilities have been improved through the provision of more rowing boats – the flotilla having recently been increased to 14 two-man boats.
One of the most visible changes has been the construction of the new four-bedroom self catering Finlodge. Capable of accommodating six to eight visitors, it is ideal for hosting corporate days and affords scenic views of the lake from the bedrooms and balcony.
The lodge is entirely self contained and has been built from solid flat interlocking logs which are made from strong, slow growing pine trees taken from managed forests in the North of Finland.
This style of building is simple to assemble, very warm, highly energy efficient and uses traditional timber construction techniques designed to with stand the cold Finnish winters. Despite the simplicity of the construction materials, however, the building has been equipped with many modern conveniences and is fully accessible to people using wheelchairs.
Inside, the building features solid wood panelled doors, double glazed windows and panelled walling and flooring throughout, creating a specially relaxing and cosy atmosphere that is difficult to find in more conventional building designs.
Cleveley Mere was originally created from a gravel pit and the first trout were introduced in 1967.
Since Peter purchased the site in 1998, he has engaged in a process of continual improvement that has not only given rise to a successful business, but has also created a valuable habitat in which many different wildlife species are now thriving.
In addition to rainbow and brown trout, the lake is home to breeding carp, kingfishers, herons, woodpeckers and even the occasional osprey. Roe deer are commonly seen in the surrounding fields and woodlands, and the site – a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – is also visited by foxes, badgers and otters.
The site is very much an actively managed environment because left to itself, the lake would soon become overgrown with weed and marginal trees and shrubs, so a considerable amount of work is needed to keep both the water and shoreline in top condition.
In addition to clearance work, Peter is also planting new trees each season - all native to Britain - and he has focused on those species that maximise the quality of the habitat for wildlife. In the last 18 months, his team has planted new oaks, ash, beech, chestnuts and hazels, and a variety of fruit bearing trees that will provide a reliable food source for birds and animals.
Further information about Cleveley Mere, its facilities and fly fishing courses can be obtained by calling Peter or Lynne Brown on 01524 793644, or by visiting www.cleveleymere.com.