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Around Fewston Reservoir to Blubberhouses
Around Fewston Reservoir to Blubberhouses
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Our view
"An easy stroll around a reservoir, with plenty of wildlife to watch."
Walk directions
Leave the car park and turn right along the road to walk across the dam. At the end, near a Water Board house, follow the road round right and then go up steps on the left. Turn left at the top and follow a path near a wall above the house.
The path bends left, down towards the reservoir. Turn right along a well-made path, with a wall on the right and a wire fence on the left. Note the signs indicating that only anglers are allowed beyond the fence to the water’s edge.
Follow the path near the water for about 1 mile (1.6km). It’s not quite as flat as you might expect. Keep left at a fork to stay parallel to the water’s edge. The reservoir narrows towards the far end, and the path runs beside an area of reeds and bushes which in summer is not usually under water. The busy A59 is in earshot before it comes into view.
Go up steps to the main road, turn left along the pavement to cross a bridge, and then go down more steps into a small car park. Turn left to a gate at the end and continue along another made path, which swings round into a substantial bay.
Continue round the bay. Like the head of the reservoir, the bay is partly silted up, but even in dry weather don’t be tempted to cut across, however low the water level may be, as the ground may not be as solid as it looks.
Finally approaching the dam again, the path forks by a cluster of signs. Go right, up through a stand of tall pines, to emerge on the road opposite the car park entrance.
Landscape
- Woodland and waterside in a green valley
Dog friendliness
- Dogs must be kept on a short lead
Parking
- Swinsty Moor car cark
Toilets en route
- Swinsty Moor car cark
About the walk
Fewston Reservoir was constructed in 1879 by the Leeds Waterworks Company. Construction began almost immediately after the completion of Swinsty Reservoir, which lies directly downstream. The two are roughly equal in size, each having a capacity of around 850 million gallons (over 3 million cubic... m) and are operated together, with the overflow from Fewston feeding directly into Swinsty. They are now owned and managed by Yorkshire Water. Fewston and Swinsty are two of the four reservoirs which now take up much of the valley of the little River Washburn, which rises on the moors and flows into the River Wharfe at Pool, just east of Otley – a total course of no more than 16 miles (26km). Higher up the valley is Thruscross Reservoir, built in the 1960s. The lowest of the four is Lindley Wood Reservoir, completed in 1876. Its primary purpose is not for water supply, but to control the water flows returning to the Washburn and prevent flooding. Transformation of the valley For the angler, these reservoirs mostly mean one thing: trout. Wild brown trout are regularly caught at the northern end of Fewston Reservoir, where the river enters, and the lake is also kept stocked with rainbow trout from hatcheries. If you’ve got the gear and fancy a go yourself, permits can be bought from the little office by the car park entrance (when it’s unmanned there’s a ticket machine). Wildlife to watch for With the fresh water, fringing forest and surrounding farmland, reservoirs like Fewston present a variety of wildlife habitats and there should always be something to see. The waters themselves are not particularly notable for waterfowl and waders, although the ubiquitous mallards, teal and tufted ducks are regular sights in winter. Geese are more obvious, with flocks of both Canada and greylag geese usually present, often grazing on fields alongside the path. Watch and listen for lapwings, too. This black and white bird, with its unmistakable crest, nests in damp meadows and often rises in agitated flight to lure intruders away from the nest. Its distinctive call earns it its alternative name of peewit. The forests are home to woodpeckers, tawny owls and sparrowhawks. For much of the year, especially spring and early summer, Fewston Reservoir is a good place for wild flowers. Around the shoreline and in the damp meadows, look out for common valerian, common spotted orchid and cuckoo-flower. In late summer you can’t miss the meadowsweet, with its frothy sprays of delicately-scented, creamy-white flowers – and only a very close look at the individual florets reveals any clues that this is a member of the rose family. The woods support a different range of species, including two that everyone can recognise: bluebells and wild garlic.
"An easy stroll around a reservoir, with plenty of wildlife to watch."
Walk details
1hr 30min
Difficulty:
Easy
Gradient:
Flat
Distance:
3.75 miles (6kms)
Ascent:
100ft (30m)
Walk directions
Leave the car park and turn right along the road to walk across the dam. At the end, near a Water Board house, follow the road round right and then go up steps on the left. Turn left at the top and follow a path near a wall above the house.
1 of 6
The path bends left, down towards the reservoir. Turn right along a well-made path, with a wall on the right and a wire fence on the left. Note the signs indicating that only anglers are allowed beyond the fence to the water’s edge.
2 of 6
Follow the path near the water for about 1 mile (1.6km). It’s not quite as flat as you might expect. Keep left at a fork to stay parallel to the water’s edge. The reservoir narrows towards the far end, and the path runs beside an area of reeds and bushes which in summer is not usually under water. The busy A59 is in earshot before it comes into view.
3 of 6
Go up steps to the main road, turn left along the pavement to cross a bridge, and then go down more steps into a small car park. Turn left to a gate at the end and continue along another made path, which swings round into a substantial bay.
4 of 6
Continue round the bay. Like the head of the reservoir, the bay is partly silted up, but even in dry weather don’t be tempted to cut across, however low the water level may be, as the ground may not be as solid as it looks.
5 of 6
Finally approaching the dam again, the path forks by a cluster of signs. Go right, up through a stand of tall pines, to emerge on the road opposite the car park entrance.
Landscape
- Woodland and waterside in a green valley
Dog friendliness
- Dogs must be kept on a short lead
Parking
- Swinsty Moor car cark
Toilets en route
- Swinsty Moor car cark
About the walk
Fewston Reservoir was constructed in 1879 by the Leeds Waterworks Company. Construction began almost immediately after the completion of Swinsty Reservoir, which lies directly downstream. The two are roughly equal in size, each having a capacity of around 850 million gallons (over 3 million cubic... m) and are operated together, with the overflow from Fewston feeding directly into Swinsty. They are now owned and managed by Yorkshire Water. Fewston and Swinsty are two of the four reservoirs which now take up much of the valley of the little River Washburn, which rises on the moors and flows into the River Wharfe at Pool, just east of Otley – a total course of no more than 16 miles (26km). Higher up the valley is Thruscross Reservoir, built in the 1960s. The lowest of the four is Lindley Wood Reservoir, completed in 1876. Its primary purpose is not for water supply, but to control the water flows returning to the Washburn and prevent flooding. Transformation of the valley For the angler, these reservoirs mostly mean one thing: trout. Wild brown trout are regularly caught at the northern end of Fewston Reservoir, where the river enters, and the lake is also kept stocked with rainbow trout from hatcheries. If you’ve got the gear and fancy a go yourself, permits can be bought from the little office by the car park entrance (when it’s unmanned there’s a ticket machine). Wildlife to watch for With the fresh water, fringing forest and surrounding farmland, reservoirs like Fewston present a variety of wildlife habitats and there should always be something to see. The waters themselves are not particularly notable for waterfowl and waders, although the ubiquitous mallards, teal and tufted ducks are regular sights in winter. Geese are more obvious, with flocks of both Canada and greylag geese usually present, often grazing on fields alongside the path. Watch and listen for lapwings, too. This black and white bird, with its unmistakable crest, nests in damp meadows and often rises in agitated flight to lure intruders away from the nest. Its distinctive call earns it its alternative name of peewit. The forests are home to woodpeckers, tawny owls and sparrowhawks. For much of the year, especially spring and early summer, Fewston Reservoir is a good place for wild flowers. Around the shoreline and in the damp meadows, look out for common valerian, common spotted orchid and cuckoo-flower. In late summer you can’t miss the meadowsweet, with its frothy sprays of delicately-scented, creamy-white flowers – and only a very close look at the individual florets reveals any clues that this is a member of the rose family. The woods support a different range of species, including two that everyone can recognise: bluebells and wild garlic.
