Yes, summer IS coming -- and here are the dates of the 2010 open day season at the Blagdon Visitor Centre:

We open on Sunday, April 4th and continue every Sunday afternoon, 2-5 pm, until Sunday, August 8th.

Since we began these free events 14 years ago, well over 365,000 people have visited them.

"This is a great way for customers to find out how we work on their behalf," said Bristol Water spokesman Jeremy Williams. "Very few people leave Blagdon without a better appreciation of just how much work goes into supplying their water.

"It’s far from being dry as dust stuff - people enjoy the experience and the surroundings and come back again time after time. Every year we also seem to gain a fresh audience as well.!"

The Centre not only houses historic beam pumping engines - one of which works almost as it would have done under steam a century ago -- but also a series of exhibition rooms featuring interactive displays, videos and historic items. New audio guides help visitors understand what they are seeing. There’s also a shop selling water-saving devices at great low prices. Outside, in the beautiful grounds, there are nature trails and also the chance to feed thousands of trout.

What else is available?

· Free guided nature trail walks on some afternoons

· Free pony and trap rides around the grounds on some afternoons

· Refreshments on sale, provided by the Blagdon School PTA.

· Plenty of places for picnics

The Visitor Centre is next to the lake, off the A368 through Blagdon village.