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  • Burrator, Devon
  1. Your Lakes
  2. Devon
  3. Burrator

Burrator, Devon

The jewel of Dartmoor, Burrator encompasses dramatic tors, open moorland, historic settlements and a Nature Reserve. Located on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, Burrator Reservoir offers a unique day out for families, nature enthusiasts, historians and Dartmoor lovers alike.

Discover the interplay between history and wildlife at Burrator 

Uncover history in the on-site Discovery Centre, which opened in 2014 as part of the Burrator Historic and Natural Environment project. See displays, spoken history and an interactive screen, engaging all ages, from toddlers to grandparents.

Explore ample walks, history and wildlife; discover the ruins of abandoned farms, evidence of tin working, the remains of the Princetown Railway and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Spot cists, cairns and prehistoric settlements. Keep an eye out for Dartmoor’s iconic ponies too!

“The Discovery Centre, WOW, what a fab resource. We saw it in the early stages and the finished centre is so successful as a staging post for events. My children via school helped with the designs on the totem pole in the entrance, and they love having that link. I cannot speak highly enough of this building, steeped in history but brimming with up to date thinking and tech. A stunning location and backdrop for many an event I have attended.”

The area is bursting with wildlife, colour and nature; nuthatches, robins, great tits, blue tits and Horeshoe bats are just some of the bird species that call Burrator home. Look down and spot a brilliant range of flora, such as bluebells, poppies, daffodils, primroses, ferns and Welsh poppies!

Walking at Burrator

With miles of paths and moorland to explore, including an easy access 1.5 km wildlife trail in the Arboretum suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, Burrator is the ideal location for both keen ramblers and those who simply want to enjoy a leisurely stroll and take in the stunning views. Watch in awe as water from the historic Devonport Leat cascades down the valley, finishing at Burrator in a waterfall. Don’t forget to take the camera and capture those special memories.

Walk up to the water’s edge through woodlands and a wetland Nature Reserve. Navigate open moorland and explore one of Dartmoor’s most spectacular tors, Sheepstor, which dominates Burrator and offers one of the most impressive views of the reservoir. Pop into Burrator Discovery Centre to pick up a free map of the site, or buy one of our self-guided walk leaflets to enable you to explore the old farms, tin working areas, and railway in more detail. Parking is available at various locations including the Quarry car park, Norsworthy Bridge car park and the Arboretum car park. Donations boxes are available and we really appreciate your donations, however big or small, so that we can keep this special site maintained for your enjoyment. Click here for more walks.

Click here to download our map before your next visit. 

Our Burrator Wildlife Guide is also available to purchase. Created and launched by three South West Lakes Trust volunteers, the guide contains information on 109 species found around Burrator Reservoir. Purchase online or call 01566771930.

Please note:

- There is no mobile phone reception around the reservoir.

- The toilets are currently closed, however we are working to reopen them soon. 

- An ice cream van is regularly based at the main dam and in the car park at Norsworthy Bridge on busy days. 

Fishing at Burrator

Try a spot of rainbow trout fishing from bank or boat. Burrator is one of the most tranquil and picturesque natural angling venues in the South West. Find out more here. You can buy permits online or by using the self-service permit hut in the car park of the Discovery Centre.

Discovery Centre: Currently closed

The main centre will remain closed for the rest of the year. However our lovely volunteer visitor guides will be running a window ‘pop up centre’ session every Wednesday in October, 10am-4pm.  Please come by the window to ask questions, find out where to walk, pick up a map, or find out more about the surrounding history.

Volunteering at Burrator: 

Love Burrator? Fancy giving something back?

Then why not try volunteering at Burrator? There are lots of different volunteering projects to get involved in to suit your interests and time availability. These include: site maintenance, practical conservation and archaeological preservation projects, bat surveys, assisting with educational visits and family events, or as a visitor guide in the Discovery Centre, and much more.  Full support, training and travel expenses provided.

Pre-lockdown, we were running weekly practical volunteering days, to which you could just turn up and not need to book in advance. 

However, in light of current restrictions, we have had to drastically reduce our volunteering programme and the numbers of volunteers for each day, and in addition can only pick one volunteer up at the bus stop on each volunteer day.

Since July, our current volunteering situation is:

  • Our site maintenance volunteers have returned in groups of 6 and attend on alternate Tuesdays.
  • Our midweek practical conservation volunteer group have returned in groups of 5 (plus staff member) and attend one Thursday every 4 weeks.
  • Our weekend practical conservation volunteer group have returned in groups of 5 (plus staff member) and volunteer one Sunday a month.
  • Our volunteer visitor guides, and education and event volunteers are keeping in touch and helping prepare resources at home, as we are currently unable to open the centre, or deliver school visits or public events at this time.

However, if you are interested in volunteering with us, we would still love to hear from you, even if we cannot get you started straight away. Please e-mail Emily at [email protected] for more information.

Address: Burrator Discovery Centre, Yelverton, Devon, PL20 6PE.

Telephone: 01822 855700 

50.49864700 -4.04322830 1 /burrator Burrator, Devon

1. Burrator, Devon

The jewel of Dartmoor, Burrator encompasses dramatic tors, open moorland, historic settlements and a Nature Reserve. Located on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, Burrator Reservoir offers a unique day out for families, nature enthusiasts, historians and Dartmoor lovers alike.Read more

Published: 15/04/2019 00:00:00

Author: Annabel Underwood

50.78291770 -1.90933500 2 /longham-lakes Longham Lakes, Bournemouth

2. Longham Lakes, Bournemouth

Longham Lakes, located close to the idyllic town of Ferndown in Dorset, offers a fantastic day out for the whole family. Take a leisurely stroll around the two lakes and spot an abundance of wildlife which call Longham their home. Relax on the shorelines and take part in a spot of fishing; join one of the many community clubs which use the site, or simply make the most of the amazing photo opportunities at the lakes.Read more

Published: 12/04/2019 00:00:00

Author: Annabel Underwood

51.15969980 -3.93920660 3 /wistlandpound Wistlandpound Reservoir, Exmoor

3. Wistlandpound Reservoir, Exmoor

Wistlandpound Reservoir, located on the edge of Exmoor National Park, is a haven for wildlife and provides a beautiful and tranquil setting for a woodland walk or a day spent in the great outdoors.Read more

Published: 12/04/2019 00:00:00

Author: Annabel Underwood

51.06582770 -3.47844230 4 /wimbleball-lake Wimbleball Lake, Exmoor

4. Wimbleball Lake, Exmoor

Wimbleball is a hub of colour and activity throughout all the seasons. Nestled within the rolling hills of Exmoor National Park, there are plenty of ways to get active at Wimbleball. With an array of walking and cycling trails winding around the 530 acre site, and a fantastic range of watersports and other activities available, this is the perfect location to spend a day outdoors – whether you are looking for a leisurely stroll or a challenging expedition.Read more

Published: 12/04/2019 00:00:00

Author: Annabel Underwood

50.87992490 -4.43492000 5 /tamar Tamar Lakes, Cornwall

5. Tamar Lakes, Cornwall

Surrounded by British countryside and nestled on the Cornwall and Devon border, Upper and Lower Tamar Lakes are steeped in industrial history and rich in flora and fauna. This is an idyllic to spot to set the imagination free, stretch your legs and enjoy the peace that comes from being near water.Read more

Published: 12/04/2019 00:00:00

Author: Annabel Underwood

50.18826840 -5.21015090 6 /stithians Stithians, Cornwall

6. Stithians, Cornwall

Stithians is the largest inland water in West Cornwall, with something for everyone to enjoy: from fishing to footpaths, wildlife to watersports, and café to camping, the lake is both a hub of activity and a peaceful escape.Read more

Published: 12/04/2019 00:00:00

Author: Annabel Underwood

50.51373220 -4.49422470 7 /siblyback Siblyback, Cornwall

7. Siblyback, Cornwall

Surrounded by the striking backdrop of Bodmin Moor, Siblyback Lake lies within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). There is a beautiful 5km round lake circuit, which is perfect for pushchairs, wheelchairs and bicycles. The path runs adjacent to the lake, and passes by the impressive Siblyback Dam and through woodlands.Read more

Published: 11/04/2019 00:00:00

Author: Annabel Underwood

50.41952630 -5.00140250 8 /porth Porth, Cornwall

8. Porth, Cornwall

Nestled in a valley just outside of Newquay, Porth Reservoir is a beautiful destination for a family day out, a spot of birdwatching, or angling. A designated bird sanctuary and a paradise for birdwatchers, you might spot owls, woodpeckers and kingfishers flying around.Read more

Published: 11/04/2019 00:00:00

Author: Annabel Underwood

50.62296180 -4.62083450 9 /crowdy Crowdy, Cornwall

9. Crowdy, Cornwall

Crowdy Reservoir lies within a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on the northern tip of Bodmin Moor, designated for its fantastic habitats and associated wildlife. Located a few miles from Camelford, and near the North Cornwall coastal villages of Tintagel, Port Isaac and Boscastle, the reservoir is perfectly situated for a family day out.Read more

Published: 11/04/2019 00:00:00

Author: Annabel Underwood

50.52963210 -4.58527670 10 /colliford Colliford, Cornwall

10. Colliford, Cornwall

Colliford is Cornwall’s largest inland water, with a surface area of a whopping 900 acres – that’s about 682 football pitches! Located just off the A30, the lake is a couple of miles south of Jamaica Inn, the famous smugglers’ haunt immortalised by Daphne du Maurier.Read more

Published: 11/04/2019 00:00:00

Author: Annabel Underwood

50.15040610 -5.13530600 11 /argal-and-college Argal and College, Cornwall

11. Argal and College, Cornwall

Located on the outskirts of Penryn in Cornwall, Argal and College reservoirs are a beautiful setting for a family day out.Read more

Published: 09/04/2019 00:00:00

Author: Annabel Underwood

50.47216970 -3.86511980 12 /avon-dam Avon Dam, Devon

12. Avon Dam, Devon

Avon Dam Reservoir is situated in beautiful open moorland on South Dartmoor – a wonderful location for some picturesque walks. To get to the reservoir, head to Shipley Bridge, where you will find car parking and toilet facilities with disabled access, provided by Dartmoor National Park.Read more

Published: 20/12/2018 00:00:00

Author:

50.52301190 -3.85527240 13 /venford Venford, Devon

13. Venford, Devon

Venford Reservoir is a hidden jewel in the midst of the craggy hills of Dartmoor National Park. The coniferous woodland provides a sheltered area to explore the countryside; why not set out on a stroll, spot wildlife and take a picnic along?Read more

Published: 20/12/2018 00:00:00

Author:

50.64630520 -3.69255640 14 /kennick-tottiford-trenchford Kennick, Tottiford and Trenchford, Devon

14. Kennick, Tottiford and Trenchford, Devon

Discover a haven of history and beauty at three reservoirs on the eastern fringe of Dartmoor National Park. Soak up the peaceful atmosphere of the surrounding farmland, forests and water on a woodland walk. Follow some lovely off-road paths and footbridges; Trenchford and Tottiford are linked by a network of trails, culminating in a rugged round lake walk at Tottiford.Read more

Published: 20/12/2018 00:00:00

Author:

50.70366760 -4.03921630 15 /meldon Meldon, Devon

15. Meldon, Devon

Meldon is situated on Dartmoor National Park, approximately 900 feet above sea level, with stunning views over the Okement Valley. Explore open moorland, dramatic tors and a Scheduled Monument: boasting a special combination of industrial heritage, wildlife and nature trails, Meldon is the perfect location to enjoy a unique day outdoors.Read more

Published: 20/12/2018 00:00:00

Author:

50.46540830 -4.15093110 16 /lopwell Lopwell Dam, Devon

16. Lopwell Dam, Devon

Lopwell Dam is a beautiful spot at any time of the year; the colours and views on display are simply breathtaking. Near Plymouth, the Local Nature Reserve is home to a varied range of wildlife, both in and out of the water. Delve into Lopwell’s long history (all the way back to the 13th century!), and learn about how this peaceful haven was once a busy river quay that served Plymouth and London, with a mineshaft used for mining lead and silver.Read more

Published: 20/12/2018 00:00:00

Author:

50.64110040 -3.88844200 17 /fernworthy Fernworthy, Devon

17. Fernworthy, Devon

Near the idyllic village of Chagford, Fernworthy Reservoir is an archaeological jewel in the heart of Dartmoor National Park. Walk through meadows, woodland and moorland, and take in the fascinating cultural heritage of ancient stone cairns, Bronze Age hut circles and submerged clapper bridges, while enjoying beautiful lakeside views.Read more

Published: 20/12/2018 00:00:00

Author:

50.68717380 -4.22962390 18 /roadford Roadford Lake, Devon

18. Roadford Lake, Devon

Roadford Lake sits within the stunning surroundings of the Wolf Valley, close to Launceston on the Cornwall border. One of the biggest and busiest inland waters in the South West, the lake is surrounded by a variety of natural habitats, including Culm Grasslands, woodlands, old pastures and orchards.Read more

Published: 20/12/2018 00:00:00

Author:

Published: 15th April, 2019

Updated: 20th October, 2020

Author: Annabel Underwood

Location: Burrator Discovery Centre, Yelverton, PL20 6PE

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Registered Office:
Roadford Lake, Broadwoodwidger
Lifton, Devon, PL16 0RL
Open:
Monday – Friday 8.30am – 5.00pm
01566 771930
[email protected]

South West Lakes Trust Registered Charity No. 1079966     
Company No. 03946529

Coronavirus update 5 Jan: Our lakes will be staying open for local communities to come and exercise. Please do not travel to a lake if it is not local to where you live. Please see our update page for specific lakes.