We have enjoyed lovely walks at some of Yorkshire Water’s reservoirs including Swinsty and Fewston. I was pleased to hear that as the second largest landowner in Yorkshire, Yorkshire Water is currently working hard to enhance its access across some of the most scenic reservoir’s, allowing all users to visit and enjoy these tranquil countryside spots.
My mobility problems are now behind me and the children have long since grown out of being pushed in a buggy, but as we like to recommend walks to other families we went along to Scar House reservoir to enjoy the surroundings.
I always find waterside walks calming and peaceful and Scar House reservoir certainly has that, surrounded by moorland and with Little Whernside stood nearby.
The surrounding moorland is being restored by the Yorkshire Peat Partnership, a Yorkshire Water funded project. Some of the moorland is designated as a site of Special Scientific Interest and we were treated to displays by Lapwings and the gorgeous sing-song of some Skylark’s. Access down to the reservoir is via a tarmacked path and if you stay on this it leads all the way up to Angram Dam, giving everyone the chance to see the stunning views and spot a few birds.
We decided to take advantage of a more difficult walking opportunity so walked the 4.5-mile loop of the reservoir, which has a few stiles and gates to negotiate.
We enjoyed our walk; the scenery was lovely and as well as the birds we spotted we met a friendly sheep who enquired about our picnic! Having crossed Angram Dam and back on the tarmacked path, we sat down at a picnic table and had our lunch. The water cascading down the dam looks spectacular and it was definitely lunch with a view. I was impressed to see that the picnic tables on this side of the reservoir all have gaps on either side, so a wheelchair user can also sit at the table too. There are a few more benches of hip friendly height as you make your way back down to the car park. It was nice to sit and relax and notice how peaceful the reservoir is. With the hard work they are doing Yorkshire Water are giving everyone the opportunity to enjoy that too.
Hip2trek top tips!
The reservoir is situated in a remote rural location so be careful using sat nav’s as they cover a wide area. The best postcode to use is HG3 5SW and we followed the ‘how to get there’ instructions via this Yorkshire Water pdf. This handy pdf also has the walking route map we used.
There is free parking, with disabled bays too, along with toilets and a café called ‘The Cabin’ which serves hot and cold drinks and cakes.
Pateley bridge is about ten miles away and we stopped on the way back to enjoy pork pies from the butchers and sweets from the oldest sweet shop in the UK.
For more information on Yorkshire Water’s reservoirs and walking routes go to:
https://www.yorkshirewater.com/leisure
*This post is in collaboration with Yorkshire Water
