Top 5 Lakes in Shropshire Hills Aonb

The Shropshire Hills National Landscape, while known for its hills, features several smaller bodies of water, including reservoirs, tranquil pools, and artificial lakes. These range from popular wild swimming spots to peaceful havens for wildlife, offering diverse experiences for visitors.

Yes, the region offers notable spots for wild swimming. Carding Mill Valley Reservoir is a recognized and popular wild swimming location. Boyne Water Lake is also considered a potential spot for those feeling daring. For more information on wild swimming in the area, you can check resources like Visit Shropshire Hills.

For wildlife enthusiasts, Wildmoor Pool on the Long Mynd is an excellent choice. It's a serene spot known for local wildlife such as dragonflies, damselflies, water boatmen, pondskaters, and brown trout, with ponies often grazing nearby.

Carding Mill Valley Reservoir is located within Carding Mill Valley, which is a hub for outdoor activities and well-equipped with a National Trust information centre, a café, and parking, making it very suitable for families. The valley itself offers walking and exploring opportunities.

Beyond enjoying the lakes themselves, the Shropshire Hills offer a wide range of outdoor activities. You can find numerous running trails, road cycling routes, and mountain biking trails throughout the region. For example, you can explore running trails, discover road cycling routes, or tackle MTB trails in the wider area.

While the lakes themselves are primarily natural features, the areas around them can hold historical interest. For instance, the area around Boyne Water Lake on Brown Clee Hill offers panoramic views and has aircraft crash sites and a memorial nearby, adding a poignant historical dimension to a visit. Similarly, Abdon Burf Summit, which features a pond, is known for its historical mining remnants.

The lakes in the Shropshire Hills offer beauty year-round. During warmer months, especially when the heather is in bloom on the Long Mynd, places like Wildmoor Pool are particularly tranquil and vibrant. However, the region's diverse geology and heritage make it appealing in any season for walking and enjoying the environment.

Many of the lakes are integrated into popular walking routes. For example, Carding Mill Valley Reservoir is a starting point for numerous walks into the Long Mynd. Boyne Water Lake can be incorporated into longer hikes exploring the Titterstone Clee, Clee Burf, and Brown Clee Hill area.

Parking availability varies by location. Carding Mill Valley Reservoir has well-equipped parking and facilities, including a National Trust information centre and café, though it can get busy. For more remote spots like Wildmoor Pool or Boyne Water Lake, parking might be less formal, often roadside or in small lay-bys, and facilities are generally absent.

Public transport options to the more remote lakes can be limited. However, areas like Carding Mill Valley, which hosts Carding Mill Valley Reservoir, are more accessible, often served by local bus routes to nearby towns like Church Stretton. It's advisable to check local transport schedules for specific destinations.

Visitors frequently praise the tranquil beauty and peaceful atmosphere of the lakes. Many enjoy the opportunities for wild swimming, picnicking, and the chance to connect with nature and spot local wildlife. The scenic surroundings and the sense of escape are consistently highlighted as key attractions.

While not a large lake, Wrekin Reservoir is a pleasant, lesser-known spot offering a nice piece of nature with a small wild island in the middle, good for walking or gravel biking around.