Trenchford and Tottiford Reservoirs

Anyone exploring the narrow, hedged lanes that thread the ridge between the Teign and Wray valleys on the eastern edge of Dartmoor may be forgiven for expressing surprise when happening upon three linked expanses of open water, fringed by oak, sweet chestnut and rhododendron. These are the Torquay Reservoirs, built between 1861 and 1907. Today, the banks of these tranquil waters provide easy walking routes, linked by a network of tracks and paths that thread the surrounding forest. The walk described here incorporates a number of permissive paths, and can be shortened at Points 3 and 5 if required.

The reservoirs are named Kennick, Tottiford and Trenchford. The dam for Kennick was constructed by Henry Brunel, son of the great 19th-century engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, architect of the Great Western Railway and hugely influential in the West Country. The arrival of the railway was the root cause of Torquay’s development from a small fishing village into a seaside resort, and as a result the demand for water rose considerably. Tottiford was started in 1861, and soon extended; Kennick was built between 1881 and 1884 to supply the growing populations of both Torquay and Newton Abbot. In 1901 a serious drought led to the building of another dam at Trenchford, started in 1903 and completed in 1907.

At times of low water, parts of old Kennick Farm may be seen in the highest reservoir. To the east lie the remains of Clampitt farmhouse (occupied in the 17th century by one Elias Tuckett, a devout Quaker) and a Quaker burial ground.

Pass the information board and toilet, and follow the path into woodland. Descend towards the reservoir (rooty and muddy in places) and cross a boardwalk, and later another towards the end of the water. Bear right to cross Trenchford stream on a bridge.

At the T-junction of paths, turn right and follow the narrow path along the bank. Cross three boardwalks: the dam comes into view ahead. Eventually pass a beautiful stand of beech trees and go through a gate onto the lane.

Turn right across the dam of Tottiford Reservoir (to shorten the walk, follow the lane back to the car park), with views right to Trendlebeare Down on Dartmoor. Old Tottiford Mill, situated just below the dam, was demolished in the early 20th century.

Where the lane bears right on the other side, turn left on a lane. Opposite a parking area (to your right) bear left past picnic tables and under tall conifers on a permissive footpath. Follow another narrow, raised path along the edge of Tottiford Reservoir, with open views.

At a bridge and path junction keep straight on. Eventually the path broadens and becomes grassy, under oak and sweet chestnut trees. On approaching the dam for Kennick Reservoir, duck under rhododendron bushes and bear left past a post with a green arrow. Cross the feeder stream on a footbridge. (Fishing for rainbow trout occurs on Kennick, and the lakeside paths are closed to walkers.)

Meet a path on the other side at a post and turn left along the west bank of the reservoir (note occasional forestry operations in this area). Pass a footpath junction at the bridge, and keep ahead past a small wooden shelter. Follow the path back to pass through a gate onto a lane.

Turn left across the dam and follow the quiet lane, which bears right and eventually crosses the Trenchford dam – note the impressive banks of rhododendrons. A memorial stone records the start of building on 1 October 1903, and its opening four years later.

Just over the dam, turn right through a gate to pass the intake pipe from Fernworthy Reservoir. Pass the picnic area and ascend steps to return to the car park.