Top 6 Lakes around Rattery

Around Rattery, you'll discover a diverse range of water bodies, including natural pools, reservoirs, and dedicated fishing lakes. Many of these are former industrial sites that have been re-integrated into the natural landscape, offering unique environments for exploration.

Yes, Hatchlands Trout Farm, located within Rattery, offers excellent fishing opportunities. It features three lakes: one for fly fishing stocked with rainbow, brown, and blue trout, and two for coarse fishing with species like carp, perch, roach, and rudd. Day tickets are available.

Both Avon Dam Reservoir and Venford Reservoir are considered family-friendly. Avon Dam offers a gentle climb on a tarmac service road, while Venford provides a flat loop around the reservoir, both surrounded by beautiful natural scenery.

While not officially designated swimming spots, Left Lake is known to warm up well after a few days of sunshine, making it inviting for a quick dip. Similarly, the lakes at Red Lake and Spoil Heap are described as inviting on a hot day for a responsible wild camp and swim.

Redlake Pool is a natural monument with significant historical context. It was a china clay extraction site between 1912 and 1933, and you can still find ruins of a former hostel and tracks from a narrow-gauge railway there. Signs of peat digging and a wooden tramway are also present.

Yes, several lakes offer walking opportunities. Venford Reservoir features a flat loop trail, ideal for exploration. The path to Avon Dam Reservoir is a gentle climb on a smooth tarmac service road, perfect for a leisurely walk. For more challenging routes, the area around Redlake Pool offers a biking route that can also be walked, though it can be tricky and boggy.

The moorland surroundings of lakes like Avon Dam Reservoir are home to cattle, sheep, and Dartmoor ponies. Venford Reservoir also boasts varied wildlife, including sheep and wild ponies, amidst its woodland and moorland setting.

Absolutely. The region offers various cycling routes. For mountain biking, you can find trails like the 'South Brent & Avon Dam loop' and the 'Avon Dam Reservoir – Shipley Bridge loop'. You can explore more options on the MTB Trails around Rattery guide. Road cycling routes are also available in the area, detailed in the Road Cycling Routes around Rattery guide.

Parking is available at Venford Reservoir, though spaces can be hard to come by, especially during summer. For other lakes, it's advisable to check specific access points and local information before your visit.

The lakes around Rattery offer different experiences throughout the year. Spring and summer are ideal for enjoying the varied wildlife and warmer waters for activities like fishing or a quick dip. Autumn brings beautiful foliage to the woodland areas, while the 'bleakness' of the Dartmoor landscape around Redlake Pool can be particularly striking in cooler months.

Yes, The Lakehouse in the nearby village of Ugborough offers a secluded private lake experience. While primarily associated with a luxury holiday rental, guests staying there can swim in the lake and take a boat out, enjoying a tranquil setting surrounded by woodland.

For information on larger lakes and reservoirs across wider Devon, such as Roadford Lake, Burrator, Fernworthy, and the Kennick, Tottiford, and Trenchford lakes, you can visit the South West Lakes Trust website. These sites offer various water sports and walking trails. More details can be found on Visit Dartmoor.