Top 6 Lakes around Davidstow

Several lakes near Davidstow offer excellent walking opportunities. Colliford Lake, Cornwall's largest, features way-marked walks with views of Bodmin Moor. Crowdy Reservoir, a nature reserve, also provides public access for peaceful strolls. For more accessible options, Siblyback Lake has a 5km circular trail suitable for walking, cycling, pushchairs, and wheelchairs. You can also find nice walks around Stannon Lake, easily accessible from the Rough Tor parking lot. For more challenging routes, explore the area around Carbilly Tor and Quarry Ruins, which includes small lakes.

Yes, Siblyback Lake is particularly well-suited for families, offering a wide range of watersports like sailing, canoeing, and paddleboarding, along with equipment hire and tuition. It also has children's play areas, a café, and a campsite. Tamar Lakes (Upper and Lower) also provide accessible trails and various watersports, making them great for families. Many lakes, including Colliford Lake, have picnic spots for a relaxed family outing.

The lakes are rich in wildlife, especially birdlife. Colliford Lake is a nature reserve important for overwintering wildfowl. Crowdy Reservoir is a haven for birdwatchers, home to Cornwall's only major colony of black-headed gulls and attracting various other wildfowl. Lower Tamar Lake is managed as a nature reserve with a bird hide, popular for spotting diverse wildfowl.

Siblyback Lake is a prime destination for watersports, offering sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding, with equipment hire and tuition available. Tamar Lakes (Upper and Lower) also feature activity centers where you can enjoy kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, sailing, and windsurfing.

Yes, Siblyback Lake offers a 5km circular trail that is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs, winding through woodlands and past the impressive Siblyback Dam. Upper Tamar Lake also features a 2.8-mile circular route suitable for mobility scooters and wheelchairs, alongside walkers and cyclists.

Ample parking is available at several lakes. Colliford Lake has dedicated parking areas. Siblyback Lake and Tamar Lakes both offer parking facilities, often near their activity centers or cafes. For Stannon Lake, it is easily reached from the Rough Tor parking lot.

The lakes can be enjoyed year-round. Spring and summer are ideal for watersports and family activities, while autumn offers beautiful foliage for walks. Winter is excellent for birdwatching, particularly at Crowdy Reservoir and Colliford Lake, due to the presence of overwintering wildfowl. Siblyback Lake is also part of an International Dark Sky Landscape, making it excellent for stargazing on clear nights.

Yes, Siblyback Lake has a café on-site, and both Upper and Lower Tamar Lakes also feature cafes, providing convenient options for refreshments during your visit.

Beyond the lakes themselves, you can explore the wild uplands of Bodmin Moor surrounding Colliford Lake. Mysterious Dozmary Pool, steeped in Arthurian legend, outfalls into Colliford Lake. Crowdy Reservoir retains significant biological interest due to its marshland origins, featuring emergent vegetation and islets. You can also visit the Carbilly Tor and Quarry Ruins, which include small lakes and historical remains.

Beyond walking, the area offers a variety of outdoor activities. You can find numerous easy hikes around Davidstow, with routes like the Willapark Lookout loop from Boscastle. For cyclists, there are several road cycling routes, including a moderate loop from Camelford to Snail's Pace Cafe. Mountain biking enthusiasts can explore trails such as the Iron Bridge on the Camel Trail loop from Higher Lank. You can find more details on these activities in the easy hikes, road cycling, and MTB trails guides for Davidstow.

Many of the trails and areas around the lakes are dog-friendly, but it's always best to check specific signage for restrictions, especially in nature reserve areas or during nesting seasons. Generally, dogs are welcome on leads on public footpaths. Siblyback Lake and Tamar Lakes often have designated areas or policies for dogs.

The region around the lakes is rich in history and folklore. Dozmary Pool, which outfalls into Colliford Lake, is steeped in Arthurian legend. The famous Jamaica Inn, known for its smuggling history, is also just a couple of miles south of Colliford Lake. Additionally, you can explore the Carbilly Tor and Quarry Ruins, offering a glimpse into the area's industrial past.