Top 4 Lakes in North Devon

For accessible walks, Wistlandpound Reservoir features an easy 2.6 km (1.5 miles) circular trail suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, winding through forests and along the water's edge. Similarly, the Upper Tamar Lake offers a popular 5km (approximately 3 miles) round-lake walk and cycle trail that is also pushchair and wheelchair friendly.

The Upper Tamar Lake is a prime spot for watersports, offering kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, sailing, and windsurfing, with equipment available for hire. Wimbleball Lake within Exmoor National Park is also a hub for various watersports activities.

Yes, North Devon has excellent fishing opportunities. Stafford Moor boasts seven fully stocked lakes with various species, including carp up to 43 lbs. Mill Park Fishing Lake is another well-regarded spot, stocked with Common Carp, Chubb, Bream, Roach, and Rudd. For fly fishing, Wistlandpound Reservoir is known for brown trout and rudd, while Wimbleball Lake offers rainbow and brown trout.

Wistlandpound Reservoir is a haven for wildlife, with opportunities to spot buzzards, goshawks, wildfowl, otters, and deer, especially from the Wistlandpound Reservoir Bird Hide. The Lower Tamar Lake is excellent for birdwatching, particularly for wildfowl in winter, and the Isley Marsh Nature Reserve is an important haven for various bird species like teal, curlew, and spoonbills.

While general swimming is often restricted in reservoirs for health and safety, Pinkery Pond on Exmoor is a beautiful freshwater swimming spot. Additionally, Crook Pool is described as a great swimming spot with interesting pools and an island. For coastal wild swimming, consider the Wild Swimming Spot by the Shore near Ilfracombe.

At Wistlandpound Reservoir, when water levels are low, you can sometimes glimpse the ruins of the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway, which ran through the valley before the reservoir's construction. Nutscale Reservoir, situated in an Exmoor valley, was originally dammed in 1942 to supply fresh water to Porlock and Minehead.

Yes, several lakes offer amenities. The Upper Tamar Lake has a cafe, children's play area, and camping facilities. Wimbleball Lake also provides facilities including changing rooms, showers, a cafe, and a children's play area. Stafford Moor has on-site facilities including a tackle shop, and Mill Park Fishing Lake offers a toilet block and nearby parking.

Beyond the lakes themselves, North Devon offers a variety of outdoor activities. You can find numerous running trails, such as the 'Heddon Valley & Woody Bay loop' or 'The Valley of Rocks loop', which are detailed in the Running Trails in North Devon guide. For hiking, explore routes like 'Valley of the Rocks, Lynton & Lynmouth' or 'Heddon Valley to Woody Bay Walk' from the Hiking in North Devon guide. Gravel biking routes are also available, including those near Simonsbath and Great Torrington, as seen in the Gravel biking in North Devon guide.

Wimbleball Lake is a designated Dark Sky Discovery Site, making it an excellent location for stargazing due to its minimal light pollution within the Exmoor National Park.

Many of North Devon's lakes and their surrounding trails are dog-friendly, though specific rules may apply regarding leads, especially in nature reserve areas or near livestock. It's always best to check local signage. For example, the trails around Wistlandpound Reservoir are popular with dog walkers.

The Wistlandpound Reservoir offers an easy 2.6 km circular trail. The Upper Tamar Lake also features a popular 5km circular walk and cycle trail. These provide scenic routes around the water's edge, suitable for various activity levels.

The Tamar Lakes, comprising Upper and Lower, are unique as they straddle the border between Devon and Cornwall and offer distinct experiences. The Lower Lake is primarily a nature reserve, ideal for birdwatching, while the larger Upper Lake is focused on watersports and family activities, including a cafe and play area.