Last Updated on 8th April 2022 by Sophie Nadeau
Dartmoor is a dramatic landscape and designated National Park located down in the depths of Devon, South West England. Best-known for its grassy open plains, rugged granite outcrops known locally as ‘tors’, and wild ponies, the area is also home to a series of lakes and bodies of water. Here’s a quick guide to the best of Dartmoor Reservoirs:
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Venford Reservoir
In the very heart of the moors, in a place where expansive gorse bushes are abundant and Dartmoor ponies roam freely, Venford Reservoir is a change from the norm. Surrounded by rocky granite outcrops, and close by to the school chapel of Huccaby St Raphael, one of the best walks to be found anywhere in the moors is right here, on a little track which traces the fringes of Venford Reservoir. Nearby, Venford Falls are some of the most beautiful (and most secluded) waters of the moorland.
Fernworthy Reservoir
Tucked away amongst the trees, and not far from the historic market town of Chagford, Fernworthy Reservoir more than merits its place on the list. The area has been inhabited since time immemorial and the remains of a Bronze Age stone circle can be found on nearby Scorhill. Elsewhere in the area, there’s plenty of rare and wonderful wildlife to spot.
Burrator Reservoir
Best visited in the late fall when the leaves turn golden and the lake acts as a picture-perfect mirror, Burrator Reservoir was first constructed during the 19th-century as a means of providing water to an ever-growing population in nearby Plymouth.
Some of the main highlights of Burrator Reservoir include the ruins of Longstone Manor House (a former family home dating all the way back to the 16th-century) and walks among the serene woodlands.
Meldon Reservoir
Located close to the ancient market town of Okehampton, a place best known for its medieval castle ruins, Meldon is a lake located 900 feet above sea level. The water is popular among local fishermen as brown trout are abundant and the road access is easy to both the A38 and other lanes which weave their way across the open moorland.
Tottiford
Tottiford, Trenchford, and Kennick Reservoirs are all located incredibly close to one another. Connected via roads, walking trails, and small streams flowing between them all, these pretty bodies of water are situated pretty nearby to the picturesque village of Lustleigh, a place which is often said to be the most beautiful settlement in Dartmoor.
Of all the Dartmoor Reservoirs contained within this list, Tottiford may well be my favourite. Not only is this body of water stunning to walk around, but it’s also filled with oodles of history (quite literally!)
Stone rows and circles have been found in the surrounding area, and more of this prehistoric complex remains quite literally buried under the water to this day. Back in 2004, the TV show, Time Team even did an excavation episode on Tottiford Reservoir.
At the time, it was discovered that there are at least ten burial cairns within the area, as well as other ceremonial places of importance. It’s also thought that the stones were placed in situ as early as 4000 to 8000 years ago!
Kennick
Sparkling waters are surrounded by evergreen firs. Kennick Reservoir is something of an escape from the rugged and wild open landscape that characterise much of Dartmoor.
While the majority of Kennick Reservoir is closed to the public as access to the water is reserved only for local permit holding fishermen, the glittering water can still be admired from the paths which snake their way through the forest, as well as from the roadside.
Trenchford
Surrounded by wooded walks and plenty of wildlife, one of the best times to visit Trenchford Reservoir is in the autumn when the leaves turn golden shades and the air is crisp and cool. In the springtime, the woodland around here is full of bluebells, making these Dartmoor Reservoirs an excellent photography spot!
Avon Dam
Not far from the A38 (a road which is often referred to in tourist brochures as ‘The Devon Expressway’), the Avon Dam was completed during the 1950s is fed by the River Avon, as well as Brockhill Stream.
Today, its close proximity to nearby roads means that the Avon Dam is a great introduction to Dartmoor Reseroirs and is a great starting point for walks onto higher moorland.
Sophie Nadeau loves dogs, books, travel, pizza, and history. A Francophile at heart, she runs solosophie.com when she’s not chasing after the next sunset shot or consuming something sweet. She splits her time between Paris and London and travels as much as she can! Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube Channel.