Fewston Reservoir
3 May 2004
3 May 2004
Fewston Reservoir is situated to the north of Otley, and is close to the A59. We parked in a layby on the A59 and walked a circular route around the reservoir, which took us through bluebell woods, across the impressive dam, and back alongside fields containing some very photogenic young lambs. We visited on 3 May 2004.
For more information, and maps, see the links at the foot of the page.
After passing through a wooded area alongside the road, the path opens out and skirts the reservoir, with wooded areas to the left.
Fewston Reservoir was constructed in 1879. It is now owned and managed by Yorkshire Water, following the privatisation of the water industry in 1989. They are, their website tells us, the region's largest landowner, with the stewardship of 72,000 acres of land.
The path takes us through woodland, which at this time of year is particularly beautiful as the bluebells are in bloom.
On the reservoir, geese and goslings swam around, the older birds appearing quite stately, the young ones rather more busy-looking, working hard to keep up.
After emerging from the woodland, we cross a road over the reservoir's impressive dam - this rather beautiful curved construction. It's a very calming place to stop for a moment. Possibly not if it was pouring with rain and freezing cold. But we were lucky to have warm sunshine on our backs.
On descending from the road, the path continues around the other side of the reservoir.
On this side of the reservoir there were several people fishing. As we passed them, I noticed this memorial plaque on the banks next to the path, commemorating the life of J R Rundle. Mr Rundle died on 8 May 1990 'whilst fishing here, his favourite pleasure.'
The final stretch of this walk took us past fields full of spring lambs, who, though at first shy, became rather curious, and stayed around to have their photos taken.
Distance & time taken: Not sure of the distance, as we didn't follow a designated route, but it took around one and three quarter hours to follow this walk around the perimeter of Fewston Reservoir.
Multimap link to Fewston Reservoir.
The reservoir is owned and managed by Yorkshire Water.