Top 7 Lakes around Mendip

The Mendip Hills offer several excellent locations for walking and nature observation. Litton Reservoirs provide a peaceful setting for walks and observing a wide variety of insects and birds. Chew Valley Lake features two nature trails, Grebe and Bittern, known for birdwatching and wildflower meadows. Blagdon Lake is popular for gentle strolls, especially the accessible North West corner, and is excellent for birdwatching. For wetland wildlife, the Somerset Levels and Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve offer fantastic gravel trails and opportunities to spot egrets and swans.

Yes, many areas around Mendip's lakes are suitable for families. Blagdon Lake offers gentle strolls popular with families and dog walkers. Litton Reservoirs are also a peaceful spot for family walks. Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve has a fantastic gravel trail that is part of National Cycle Route 3, making it accessible for various family activities. Chew Valley Lake also has picnic areas and nature trails that are great for families.

The Mendip lakes and wetlands are rich in wildlife. Chew Valley Lake is a Special Protection Area, vital for many bird species. Blagdon Lake is also excellent for birdwatching. The Litton Reservoirs are home to a wide variety of insects and birds. The Somerset Levels Wetlands and Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve are particularly renowned for wetland wildlife, including egrets, swans, and spectacular starling murmurations just before dusk.

While the lakes themselves are primarily natural or man-made for water supply, the region does have historical points of interest. For example, Nunney Castle, a picturesque moated medieval castle built in the 1370s, is located nearby and is a popular highlight. Blagdon Lake itself has a rich history, created in 1898 as part of Bristol's water supply system.

Beyond walking and birdwatching, the Mendip lakes region offers diverse outdoor activities. Chew Valley Lake is ideal for water sports enthusiasts, including sailing, and offers excellent opportunities for angling. Blagdon Lake is famous for still-water trout fly fishing. For cycling, Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve features a gravel trail that is part of National Cycle Route 3. You can also find various road cycling routes around Mendip, such as those listed in the Road Cycling Routes around Mendip guide, and gravel biking options in the Gravel biking around Mendip guide.

Yes, there are numerous hiking trails. Many of the walks around the lakes, such as those at Blagdon Lake and Litton Reservoirs, are gentle and suitable for easy strolls. Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve offers easy, compacted gravel trails. For more structured hikes, you can explore options in the Easy hikes around Mendip guide, which includes routes like the Ebbor Gorge loop and the Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve trail, generally rated as easy.

The Mendip lakes can be enjoyed year-round, but each season offers unique experiences. Spring and summer are ideal for wildflowers, birdwatching, and water sports. Autumn brings beautiful foliage, and winter can offer peaceful, crisp walks and spectacular starling murmurations at locations like Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve just before dusk.

While specific public transport routes to every lake can vary, the Mendip Hills region has some public transport options. However, for many of the more secluded lake areas and trailheads, driving or cycling might be more convenient. It's advisable to check local bus schedules for routes connecting to nearby villages like Blagdon or those in the Chew Valley.

Absolutely. Blagdon Lake is particularly famous among anglers as a premier location for still-water trout fly fishing, with catch records dating back to the early 1900s. It offers diverse fishing spots along its seven-mile perimeter and has a fishing lodge with a tackle shop. Chew Valley Lake also provides excellent opportunities for angling. For more details on fishing at Blagdon Lake, you can visit visitsomerset.co.uk.

Many lakeside paths in the Mendip region are dog-friendly, especially for walks on a lead. Blagdon Lake, for instance, is popular with dog walkers, particularly the accessible North West corner. However, always check local signage and respect wildlife, especially in nature reserves like Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve, where dogs may need to be kept on leads to protect ground-nesting birds and other animals.

Yes, you'll find options for refreshments. The Woodford Lodge, located lakeside at Chew Valley Lake, offers dining options. The village of Blagdon, near Blagdon Lake, is charming and likely has local establishments. For those exploring the Somerset Levels Wetlands, there are pubs and eating places along the way, with Sweets Tea Rooms near Wedmore being a favorite for cyclists.

The Litton Reservoirs, comprising upper and lower reservoirs built in the 1850s, offer a tranquil setting. They are perfect for peaceful walks and provide excellent opportunities for observing a wide variety of insects and birds, making them a serene escape in the Mendip Hills.

These areas, while not single lakes, encompass numerous wetland bodies and are ecologically significant. Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve, in particular, offers a fantastic gravel trail across the Avalon Marshes, which is part of National Cycle Route 3. They are excellent for spotting wetland wildlife like egrets and swans and are renowned for spectacular starling murmurations just before dusk.