Top 6 Lakes around Buckfastleigh

Near Buckfastleigh, you'll find several picturesque reservoirs and river spots within Dartmoor National Park. Venford Reservoir is known for its beautiful woodland and moorland surroundings, offering a flat loop walk. Avon Dam Reservoir provides stunning moorland panoramas, often with grazing cattle and Dartmoor ponies. For a unique historical site, Redlake Pool is a former china clay extraction site with a track once used by a narrow-gauge railway.

Yes, the area offers numerous walking and hiking opportunities. Around Venford Reservoir, you can enjoy a flat loop walk. The path to Avon Dam Reservoir from Shipley Bridge is a 2.5-mile uphill walk, mostly on a tarmac path, making it accessible. The interconnected Tottiford, Kennick, and Trenchford Reservoirs also feature scenic walking trails. For more challenging hikes, the area around Redlake Pool offers a wild Dartmoor landscape.

You can expect diverse natural beauty. The reservoirs are often surrounded by woodland, open moorland, and winding rivers. Wildlife is abundant, with opportunities to spot various species, including a protected hazel dormouse community near Trenchford Reservoir. You'll also see iconic Dartmoor ponies, cattle, and sheep grazing. The landscape around Redlake Pool and Red Lake and Spoil Heap showcases the rugged, sometimes bleak, beauty of Dartmoor, with grass-covered spoil heaps offering great views.

Yes, the region has a rich history tied to its landscape. Redlake Pool is a former china clay extraction site, with ruins of a workers' hostel and remnants of a narrow-gauge railway track. Tottiford Reservoir, dating back to 1861, is Dartmoor's oldest reservoir and continues to reveal archaeological discoveries. Burrator Reservoir features a Discovery Centre that provides historical information about the area.

Many areas are suitable for families. Venford Reservoir and Avon Dam Reservoir are both considered family-friendly. Burrator Reservoir is ideal for family walks and nature education, with its Discovery Centre. The relatively flat, tarmac path leading to Avon Dam Reservoir is also great for families looking for an easier walk.

Wild swimming is popular in certain river sections. The River Dart offers well-known wild swimming spots like Spitchwick (Deeper Marsh/Spitchwick Common) and Sharrah Pool for more adventurous swimmers. While some smaller pools like Left Lake can warm up for a quick dip, swimming is generally not recommended in Dartmoor's reservoirs due to unpredictable currents and hidden mechanics.

Beyond walking, the area offers various outdoor activities. Whitewater kayaking and canoeing are popular on the River Dart, especially the 'Loop' section during winter. Fishing is permitted in some reservoirs like Tottiford (carp) and Trenchford (pike), usually with permits. You can also find excellent cycling opportunities, including gravel biking and MTB trails. For example, there are routes like 'Lydia Bridge Waterfall – Avon Dam Reservoir loop' for gravel biking and 'Avon Dam Reservoir – Shipley Bridge loop' for MTB. You can find more details on these activities in the Gravel biking around Buckfastleigh and MTB Trails around Buckfastleigh guides.

The lakes and reservoirs are beautiful year-round, but each season offers a different experience. Autumn is particularly vibrant around Venford Reservoir, with stunning views of the Dart Gorge. Warmer months are ideal for walking and enjoying the outdoors, while winter can offer dramatic, wild landscapes, especially around the higher moorland sites like Redlake Pool. Always be prepared for changing weather conditions on Dartmoor.

For a wonderfully quiet experience, Avon Dam Reservoir is a great choice, especially if you're willing to make the 2.5-mile walk from Shipley Bridge. The area around Redlake Pool and Red Lake and Spoil Heap is also very remote and feels brilliantly wild, offering a peaceful escape into the moorland.

Visitors frequently appreciate the stunning panoramas and the sense of wildness. The opportunity to see Dartmoor ponies, cattle, and sheep grazing adds to the charm. Many enjoy the peaceful walks and the chance to explore unique historical sites like former china clay workings. The diverse landscapes, from woodlands to open moorland, are also highly valued.

Many trails on Dartmoor are dog-friendly, but it's important to keep dogs under control, especially due to grazing livestock (cattle, sheep, and ponies). Always follow the Countryside Code, and be aware that some areas, particularly around reservoirs, may have specific rules regarding dogs. It's best to check local signage.

Parking is available at several locations. For Venford Reservoir, there is parking, though spaces can be limited in summer. Shipley Bridge car park is the starting point for walks to Avon Dam Reservoir. Burrator Reservoir also has parking facilities, often near its Discovery Centre. For more remote spots like Redlake Pool, access often involves longer walks from designated car parks further afield on the moor.