Brothers Water

Go early for the best chance of calm water and clean reflections. Autumn is especially good when Low Wood turns colour; summer brings water lilies and longer light. Bring a waterproof layer, shoes with some grip, and a snack because there are no toilets on the route. The customer-only toilets at Brotherswater Inn require the steeper climb.

Individual swimming is listed as permitted, but canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, sailing boats, and powered craft are not. Treat the water as a cold, unguarded mountain lake and swim only within your ability. Traffic from the A592 is closest around the access end, so this is a scenic roadside walk rather than a completely secluded shore.

Use Cow Bridge car park beside the A592 and leave from the southern end of the car park onto the surfaced path. The park's Miles Without Stiles route takes about an hour along the lake towards Sykeside. The path is level for most of the way, but the approach to the Inn adds a steep slope, so the shoreline is the better turnaround point for an easy visit. The car park is small, so an early start is sensible on bright weekends.