Your Lakes Exmoor Wimbleball 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. Car parking is just £2.50 for two hours, and £5 for the whole day. Your contribution helps us to maintain the lakes for everyone. Find out about the various ways you can pay for parking here. Exmoor National Park has produced a Sensory Story for Wimbleball Lake, designed to help autistic people and their family and friends prepare for their visit by highlighting the key things they might see, hear, touch, taste or smell when they visit. In addition to supporting autistic visitors, Sensory Stories can also be helpful for younger people, families, visitors with learning disabilities and those living with dementia. Walking at Wimbleball Lake There is a short, linear walk to the dam (1.3m/2.1km), which should take approximately 30 minutes. Return on the same route for a 3 mile walk. For the more adventurous walker, there is the challenging 9 mile/14.5km hike around the lake perimeter: ‘The Lakeside Round Walk’. This should take roughly 3 hours. Both start from the on-site café car park. Bring your dog along on a lead and enjoy the walk with the whole family. Alternatively, get on your bike and cycle along paths that offer tantalising glimpses of beautiful lake views. The cycle routes mostly follow bridleways and some quiet country lanes, and pass through woodland and grassland. See a map of walks Refuel at Wimbleball Lake Bring along a picnic and take a break at one of the well-appointed picnic areas, or visit the café. Coffee Couture offers great food and drinks with a stunning backdrop. For opening times, visit the Facebook page. Stargaze at Wimbleball Lake Located within Europe’s first International Dark Sky Reserve on Exmoor, Wimbleball is a designated Dark Sky Discovery Site and is the perfect place to stargaze and engage with nature and the outdoors in its greatest form. Pay a visit to the Dark Sky Discovery Hub, near the Activity Centre, after the sun goes down. Gaze upwards and watch the planets, spot constellations or see shooting stars. It's also a great facility for astrophotography and to watch and listen for nocturnal wildlife. Made possible by generous funding from Exmoor National Park Authority and Hinkley Tourism Action Partnership. Read more about the Dark Sky Discovery Hub. Activities at Wimbleball Lake Take the opportunity to let off steam in our informal play area, or explore the atmospheric woodlands. You can also get on the water or enjoy a camping break at Wimbleball Lake. With a range of activities including kayaking, stand up paddleboarding and sailing, our friendly activity team are on hand to help you discover an activity as a family, organised group or individual. Click here to find out more. You can also enjoy excellent trout fishing at Wimbleball Lake. Find out more here. An all-terrain mobility scooter, ‘The Tramper’, is available. Please call 01398 371460 or email [email protected] for more information. To book click here. Wildlife at Wimbleball Lake Boasting a variety of special wildlife hotspots, visitors can expect to find a range of wildfowl, as well as mammalian varieties such as hedgehogs, weasels and, if you are lucky (and quiet!), the iconic Exmoor red deer. But as spring fast approaches, flashes of patterned wings and the twitch of antenna become a more regular sight around the lake as the butterflies begin to take flight! The dedicated site team and regular volunteers carry out a range of conservation tasks to promote a variety of species. One particularly special butterfly species found at Wimbleball is the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Boloria selene. This small orange and brown butterfly can be identified by several white pearl markings on the hind wings bordered by black chevrons and is found flying from late May to mid-June around the northern arm of the lake, within Hurscombe Nature Reserve. Look out for beautiful orchids in the wildflower meadow, and spot wax caps in the grassy banks near the Activity Centre in late autumn and winter. Try birdwatching from the bird hide – you might even glimpse a starling murmuration! If you are staying at the campsite, keep a look out for brown long-eared bats, which you might see flying around at night, hunting for airborne insects. Address: Activity Centre, Wimbleball Lake, Brompton Regis, Dulverton, Somerset, TA22 9NU 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 50.78381260 -1.91422690 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 50.87840570 -4.43233160 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 50.18796890 -5.21574240 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 50.49914190 -4.48888580 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.FRead more 50.41895280 -5.01174430 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 50.62000100 -4.63229670 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 50.53095130 -4.58804340 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 50.14901670 -5.12384790 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 50.64338800 -3.70015290 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 50.68822070 -4.23099390 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 Manage Cookie Preferences