Fernworthy Reservoir

Fernworthy Reservoir is a drinking-water reservoir set among meadows, woodland and open moorland near Chagford, one of the higher lakes on Dartmoor. It is a good half-day stop if you want a proper walk with water views, archaeology and birdlife rather than a quick roadside viewpoint. The full reservoir circuit is about 4.2 km; Potters Walk is the shorter choice, but even that has some slopes.

The lakeside route takes you past changing views of the water, forest and open ground, with the picnic area looking across towards Thornworthy Tor. Potters Walk follows the shore for about three quarters of a mile and has resting places, improved bridges and boardwalk sections. It was repaired as a wheelchair- and buggy-friendly route, though some slopes may need assistance. If you leave the reservoir path for the surrounding forest tracks, remember that those trails are not waymarked.

Fernworthy was built between 1936 and 1942 to supply Torbay, and it still feeds water towards Torquay, Totnes and Brixham. The reservoir flooded an older landscape: look for the Bronze Age hut circles, burial cairns and old farm buildings around the shore, as well as the submerged clapper bridge beneath the water. Two bird hides sit at the western end, where snipe, heron and grebe are regular possibilities and black-tailed godwit appears at certain times of year. For the best reservoir photograph, work from the picnic-area shore towards Thornworthy Tor; the bird-hide end gives you a more wildlife-focused view.

Use the pay-and-display car park by Fernworthy Forest; toilets and a picnic area are available at the reservoir. Forestry England lists no designated accessible parking spaces at the forest, so check the approach before bringing someone who needs a marked bay. The shorter Potters Walk is the sensible first outing for a mixed-ability group, while the full circuit rewards a little more time and sure footing. Bring a map if you plan to explore beyond the lakeside route, and treat the fishing arrangements as a separate managed activity rather than assuming every bank is open for access.