A Guide to Lakes in Britain

Blea Tarn

Blea Tarn lies between Little Langdale and Great Langdale, in the Lake District.

Buttermere

Buttermere is a lake in the English Lake District. It measures 1 1/2 miles long, 3/4 of a mile wide and 75 feet deep. There is a footpath running round the perimeter of the lake, which takes in some beautiful scenery.

Anglezarke Reservoir

The largest of the ‘Three Lakes’, sited below the Anglezarke moorlands.

Yarrow Reservoir

Yarrow Reservoir is the smallest of the main reservoirs at Rivington and is often overlooked by casual visitors, situated as it is, away from the Three Lakes.

Windermere

Wastwater

Ullswater

Ullswater, nestled in the stunning landscape of the English Lake District.

Tarn Hows

One of the most photogenic and most photographed places in the Lake District. Tarn Hows is a relatively small lake, managed by the National Trust, with an easy walking path and visitor car park but many walks up around the higher fells are nearby.

Stickle Tarn

Rivington Lakes And Reservoirs

Constructed between 1850 and 1857 and designed by Thomas Hawksley the well known ‘three lakes’ of Anglezarke reservoir, Upper and Lower Rivington reservoirs together with Yarrow Reservoir were once the cutting edge of reservoir technology.

Lower Rivington Reservoir

The southern end of the chain of reservoirs at Rivington, the Lower Rivington Reservoir features a castle on the Eastern shore and an outdoor centre with boating facilities on it’s Western shore.

Hodge Close Quarry

Hodge Close Quarry is a large, steep sided, disused slate quarry that is flooded with water.

Haweswater

Haweswater is an artificially extended reservoir formed from the much smaller original lake that was roughly half the size and occupying the Northern half of the current reservoir.

Derwentwater

Derwentwater, also known as Derwent Water, is a stunning and serene body of water located in the heart of the Lake District National Park.

Reservoir Of Dean Mills

This was once a pair of small reservoirs that served Dean Mills down in the valley below at Barrow Bridge.

The Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon as it is known locally, was Ward’s reservoir and supplied water for the industrial mills below Belmont.

Thirlmere Reservoir

Thirlmere Reservoir was originally two smaller lakes. In 1889 they were purchased by Manchester City Corporation Waterworks, to be made into a reservoir to supply water to Manchester. The area was dammed and became one large reservoir, at nearly 4 miles long.

Trentabank Reservoir

Trentabank Reservoir Nature Reserve is managed by Cheshire Wildlife Trust and United Utilities also with three other local reservoirs along the River Bollin.

British Camp Reservoir

British Camp Reservoir on the lower slopes of the British Camp Hillfort.

Ogden Reservoir

Ogden Reservoir in the Piethorne Valley is a scenic location surrounded by woodlands and moors - a great starting point for many walks.

Kitcliffe Reservoir

Kitcliffe Reservoir sits between Piethorne and Ogden reservoirs in the Piethorne Valley.

Piethorne Reservoir

Piethorne Reservoir sits at the upper end of Piethorne Valley, with woodland walks on the North side and and paths round the shore to the East.

Doffcocker Lodge

Llyn Ogwen

Naden Lower Reservoir

Naden Lower Reservoir is a scenic and tranquil body of water located in the Naden Valley, which lies within the hills of Greater Manchester, just north of Heywood.

Naden Middle Reservoir

Naden Higher Reservoir

Greenbooth Reservoir

Greenbooth Reservoir is a picturesque man-made lake located in the foothills of the South Pennines, near Rochdale in Greater Manchester, England.

Lower Ogden Reservoir

Upper Ogden Reservoir

Upper Black Moss Reservoir

A reservoir built in 1894 to serve the people of Nelson and Barley.

Lower Black Moss Reservoir

A reservoir built in 1903 to serve the people of Nelson and Barley.

Dean Clough Reservoir

A small reservoir with views out to Wiswell Moor and over the Jeppe Knave Grave and the Nick o’ Pendle.

Llyn Arenig fawr

Light Hazzles Reservoir

Warland Reservoir

Gaddings Dam

Ochre Flash

Part of the Wigan Flashes Nature Reserve

Bryn Flash

Horrock's Flash

Turner's Flash

Pearson's Flash

Westwood Flash

Scotman's Flash

Blackstone Edge Reservoir

The Blackstone Edge Reservoir is a water storage reservoir located above Littleborough.

White Holme Reservoir

Parsonage Reservoir

Guide Reservoir

Fishmoor Reservoir

Abbeystead Reservoir

A nice reservoir with picnic areas and a spectacular outflow.

Llyn Foel

Number One Pit - Brockholes

Meadow Lake - Brockholes

Upper Roddlesworth Reservoir

The larger and most recently constructed of the three reservoirs at Roddlesworth.

Turton and Entwistle Reservoir

A scenic reservoir partially surrounded by pine woods that give a look of somewhere much further north.

Jumbles Reservoir

Jumbles Reservoir was completed in 1970 and is probably the most popular of the local reservoirs - especially with people from the Bolton area.

Lower Roddlesworth Reservoir

The middle of the three Roddlesworth Reservoirs, good walking paths and waterside access.

Rake Brook Reservoir

The easternmost of the three Roddlesworth Reservoirs with waterside access and walking path on the North shore.

Scammonden Water

Dam Head Lodge

Dove Stone Reservoir

Dovestone Reservoir is a captivating jewel nestled within the boundaries of the Peak District National Park.

Yeoman Hey Reservoir

Greenfield Reservoir

High Bullough Reservoir

High Bullough Reservoir is a tiny reservoir that is still in use today although the East bank looks interestingly ruinous.

Big Lodge Water

Big Lodge or Big Lodge Water is a former mill pond and is now part of the Yarrow Valley Country Park.

Top Lodge

Top Lodge is a former mill pond and is now part of the Yarrow Valley Country Park nature conservation area.

Lower Laithe Reservoir

Ponden Reservoir

Crompton Lodges

An amalgamation of several smaller, 19th Century industrial mill lodges now ornamental ponds in Moses Gate Country Park.

Errwood Reservoir

A scenic reservoir surrounded by mixed-woodland.

Wayoh Reservoir

Constructed between 1866 and 1876 by the Great and Little Bolton Waterworks Co. Wayoh is now a popular walking area with great views and some industrial archaeology.

The Turton Reservoirs

A chain of three reservoirs in the Turton area with good walking routes and car park facilities and a cafe at the Jumbles reservoir.

Black Moss Reservoirs

There are two reservoirs at Black Moss, in the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Pennington Flash

A nature reserve in Wigan based around the lake of Pennington Flash and surrounding woodland.

Holden Wood Reservoir

The first of the three reservoirs above Haslingden, a footpath passes by but there is no public access to the shore.

Ogden Reservoir (Haslingden)

The middle of a chain of three reservoirs above Haslingden, no public footpaths or access to the water.

Calf Hey Reservoir

Highest reservoir in a chain of three at Haslingden Grane, with good walking paths around and plenty of ruins.

Jamestone Quarry

An old sandstone quarry with a strange grey to blue looking toxic pool.

Upper Rivington Reservoir

The middle of the chain of three reservoirs at Rivington and the easiest to stroll around, although there is no ‘official’ access to the shore itself.

Lindley Wood Reservoir

Upper Ball Grove Lodge

The old mill lodge provides a home for many species of wild birds. The ever present mallards and black-headed gulis can be seen. And in winter transient species such as the beautiful and colourful goosanders and tufted ducks can be found.

Lake at Chorlton Water Park

Sale Water Park

Sale Water Park is a 62 hectare green-space which incorporates a large lake which was formed with the construction of the M60 motorway.

Broad Dole Ees

Broad Dole Ees is a peaceful and picturesque area located in Sale, a town in Greater Manchester.

Chorlton Ees and Ivy Green LNR

Redes Mere

Dilworth Upper Reservoir

Lower Lake

Old Warke Dam

Old Warke Dam now forms part of a local nature reserve and is a site of special biological interest (Wet Woodland).

Spade Mill Reservoirs

Spade Mill No. 1 and Spade Mill No. 2 Reservoirs

Carr Mill Dam

Carr Mill Dam is Merseyside’s largest water-body which is of regional significance for powerboat racing, fishing and wildlife.

Mill Pond on Hebden Water

An old mill pond on the Hebden Water close to Gibson Mill.

Styhead Tarn

Lake Burwain

Lake Burwain formerly Foulridge Lower Reservoir.

Grafham Water

Loweswater

White Coppice Mill Pond

A small, former mill pond at White Coppice.

Victoria Lake

An ‘ornamental’ former mill pond now used for angling.

Norton Pond

Radwell Mill Lake

Hatfield Forest Lake

Blackleach Reservoir

A nice little reservoir for peaceful walks with plenty of wildlife.

Loch Linnhe

Lake at Croome

Ornamental lake on the Croome River.

Lough Lannagh

Lough Lannagh is a picturesque lake in County Mayo. It’s surrounded by mountains and has a population of trout, salmon, and eel.

Loch Riecawr

Loch Doon

Eccup Reservoir

The Eccup reservoir was first constructed in 1843 on land owned by the Earl of Mexborough.

Willen Lake

Willen Lake is a popular destination in Willen Park, and it’s easy to see why.

Simons Lodge

An old mill lodge formed by a dam on the Holcombe Brook in Redisher wood.

Hollingworth Lake

A reservoir now a popular boating lake in Hollingworth Country Park at Littleborough near Rochdale.

Cellophane Ponds

A series of private fishing ponds in the northwest of Bridgwater in Somerset.

Stanwick Lakes

Stanwick Lakes is a 750 acre nature reserve and country park located in the heart of Northamptonshire’s Nene Valley.

Rutland Water

Rutland Water is a large reservoir that was constructedin the 1970s in Rutland, England.

Loch of Kinnordy

The Loch of Kinnordy is located in Angus, Scotland. and is situated in a natural basin surrounded by farmland.

Craigavon Lakes

Lakes at Craigavon City Park.

Southwick Park Lake

A quiet fishing lake near Southwick House in Hampshire.

Coate Water

Coate Water is a former reservoir that was created to provide water for the Wiltshire and Berkshire Canal.

Newmiller Dam

Pugneys Country Park

Pugneys Country Park in southeast Wakefield, is based around the River Calder and several lakes and ponds which are used for a variety of activities including sailing, windsurfing, canoeing and fishing.

Ogden Water Country Park

Located to the north of Halifax, Ogden Water Country Park is a stunning nature reserve that is perfect for a day out with the family.

Ogden Water

Ogden Water or Reservoir as it is now known is located to the north of Halifax.

Kingsbury Water Park

Kingsbury Water Park is situated around a number of lakes along the RIver Tame in the West Midlands.

Draycote Water

A popular reservoir with sailing club, located to the southwest of Rugby in Warwickshire.

Dinton Pastures

Dinton Pastures Country Park is based around a number of lakes along the River Loddon.

Barden Lake

A scenic lake with wildlife at Haysden Country Park in Tonbridge.

Thorney Country Park

A country park beside the Colne Brook and based around several lakes in Iver, Buckinghamshire.

Sywell Reservoir

A former reservoir, now part of Sywell Country Park.

Rumworth Lodge

A reservoir in Lostock, Bolton that is popular for fishing, but has no hiking footpath around its perimeter.

Ravensthorpe Reservoir

Ravensthorpe Reservoir to the north of Northampton is a peaceful lake with wildlife.

Cropston Reservoir

Cropston Reservoir is a reservoir to the northwest of Leicester in Leicestershire, England.

Baitings Reservoir

Baitings Dam is a reservoir with a spectacular overflow cascade.

Crime Lake

A lake on the Manchester and Ashton under Lyne Canal in Oldham.

Priory Lake

A lake in Priory Country Park.

Chew Reservoir

Chew Reservoir is located high on the moorland, to the east of Oldham.

Boddington Reservoir

A reservoir outiside Byfield now a paid fishery, popular with anglers.

Grizedale Dock Reservoir

Grizedale Dock Reservoir or simply Grizedale Reservoir as it is known.

Ashworth Moor Reservoir

A small reservoir below the Edenfield Road on Ashworth Moor.

Sixfields Reservoir

Sixfields Reservoir, located in Northampton, is a popular destination known for its scenic beauty and recreational opportunities.

Marine Lake - Weston-super-mare

The Marine Lake at Weston-super-Mare is a picturesque lake, often referred to as a tidal lagoon.

Boothwood Reservoir

Boothwood Reservoir is a charming expanse of water situated in the heart of West Yorkshire, England.

Loch Faskally

Loch Faskally, a stunning body of water formed by the Tummel Hydro-Electric Power Scheme in the 1950s.

Loch Kennard

Loch Kennard is a lesser-known spot, and it might offer a more secluded experience, away from the popular tourist destinations.

Shibden Park

Shibden Park, gracefully unfolded across the Halifax countryside, is not only a haven of natural beauty but also a historical monument rooted in the 15th century.

Digley Reservoir

Digley Reservoir, located near Holmfirth in West Yorkshire, is a significant feature in the landscape and local community.

Reva Reservoir

Reva Reservoir, located in the picturesque outskirts of Leeds.

Lower Laithe Reservoir

Lower Laithe Reservoir, located near Keighley, is a notable example of the UK’s engineering heritage and natural beauty.

Butterley Reservoir

Butterley Reservoir, located in the scenic Marsden valley near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.

Pitsford Water

Pitsford Water, located within the picturesque Brixworth Country Park in Northamptonshire, is a substantial and tranquil reservoir.

Chellow Dean Reservoirs

Chellow Dean Reservoirs, located in the picturesque outskirts of Bradford, West Yorkshire.

Blithfield Reservoir

Blithfield Reservoir, located near the town of Rugeley in Staffordshire, is a significant and picturesque water body.

Pendigo Lake

Pendigo Lake, in Marston Green, near Birmingham Airport, is a stunning man-made water body that has become a prominent feature of the city’s landscape.

Earlswood Lakes

Earlswood Lakes, located in Solihull, West Midlands, is a picturesque area consisting of three large reservoirs: Engine Pool, Windmill Pool, and Terry’s Pool.

Cocks Close Pond

Cocks Close Pond, located in Warwickshire, is a peaceful fishing spot nestled within beautiful natural surroundings..

Gorton Reservoirs

Gorton Reservoirs, now part of Debdale Park in East Manchester, is a historic water supply system that once played a vital role in providing clean water to the city.

Audenshaw Reservoirs

The Audenshaw Reservoirs are a series of three large reservoirs in Tameside, Greater Manchester, originally built in the late 19th century.

Clowbridge Reservoir

Clowbridge Reservoir is located near Burnley in Lancashire and was constructed in the mid-19th century to supply water to the surrounding areas.