Your Lakes Cornwall Tamar Lakes 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. Car parking is just £2 for two hours, and £4 for a whole day. Your contribution helps us to maintain the lakes for everyone. Walking at Tamar Lakes Encounter nature face to face by following way-marked walks around the shorelines of the two lakes. The circular route around Upper Tamar Lake is approximately 2.8 miles (4.5km), and provides a great pathway or a lakeside walk. In partnership with 1 South West, SWLT have create a level path around the entire lake, allowing anyone on foot, bikes, mobility scooters and wheelchairs to comfortably enjoy the stunning views and wildlife. Parkrun also run here every Saturday at 9am, so join up with others and challenge yourself! Discover a network of footpaths and off-road trails; walk across the dam and watch water cascade from the top; explore woodlands, and traipse through Upper Tamar’s wildlife zone, where you might see herons, kingfishers and egrets. The Bude Aqueduct Trail also starts and finishes at Tamar Lakes. This is a picturesque 5 hour circular walk of about 10 miles, which passes through Dunsdon Nature Reserve and Bude. See here for more information. If you walk half a mile from Upper Tamar on an off-road woodland trail, you will find Lower Tamar Lake. You can also drive down to Lower Tamar, where there is a car park with a stoned footpath, suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Play and Explore at Tamar Lakes On your way, dive into the modern and interactive play area, which is accessible for children of a wide range of ages and abilities. A designated Nature Reserve, Lower Tamar Lake is the perfect place to engage with nature. Spend a few quiet moments in the bird hide, where you might spot ospreys, sandpipers and cormorants. Refuel at Tamar Lakes Visit the dog-friendly Frog Hopper Café – a great place to stop for families with little froglets. Enjoy a freshly brewed coffee, a light lunch and tasty cakes. For opening times, visit the Froghopper’s Facebook page. Did you know? Lower Tamar Lake was constructed in the 1820s, and the boundary between Devon and Cornwall runs right up the middle of Upper Tamar Lake. Activities at Tamar Lakes You can also get on the water or enjoy a camping break at Upper Tamar Lake. With a range of activities including kayaking, stand up paddleboarding and canoeing, our friendly activity team are on hand to help you discover an activity as a family, organised group or individual. Visit our swlakes website to find out more. Upper and Lower Tamar Lakes are also very successful and popular coarse fisheries. See if you can catch Cornwall’s record breaking carp ‘Biggles’. Find out more here. Address: Tamar, Upper Tamar Lake, Kilkhampton, Near Bude, EX23 9SB 50.49864700 -4.04322830 1 /burrator 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 50.78291770 -1.90933500 2 /longham-lakes 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 51.15969980 -3.93920660 3 /wistlandpound 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 51.06901980 -3.47484130 4 /wimbleball-lake 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 50.87566240 -4.42948430 5 /tamar 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 50.18827200 -5.21030600 6 /stithians 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 50.51373220 -4.49422470 7 /siblyback 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 50.41952630 -5.00140250 8 /porth 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 50.62296180 -4.62083450 9 /crowdy 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 50.52963210 -4.58527670 10 /colliford 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 50.15040610 -5.13530600 11 /argal-and-college 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 50.47216970 -3.86511980 12 /avon-dam 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 50.52301190 -3.85527240 13 /venford 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 50.64630520 -3.69255640 14 /kennick-tottiford-trenchford 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 50.70366760 -4.03921630 15 /meldon 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 50.46540830 -4.15093110 16 /lopwell 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 50.64110040 -3.88844200 17 /fernworthy 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 50.68717380 -4.22962390 18 /roadford 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