Top 8 Lakes around Ugborough

For a unique wild swimming experience, consider Crazywell Pool, a deep hidden pool on Dartmoor, or Redlake Pool, a flooded china clay quarry offering a dramatic, remote setting. Both are recognized for their distinct character and appeal to adventurous swimmers.

Yes, Burrator Reservoir is a tranquil spot perfect for families, offering walks, runs, or cycles around its perimeter with several viewing points. Venford Reservoir is also family-friendly, surrounded by beautiful woodland and moors, with varied wildlife to observe.

Filham Lake, located in Filham Park near Ivybridge, is a three-acre, purpose-built fishing lake. It's well-stocked with various fish species like Common and Mirror Carp, Rudd, and Trout, offering a tranquil setting for anglers. Day tickets and club memberships are available. For more information on lake fishing in South Devon, you can visit visitsouthdevon.co.uk.

The area around Ugborough's lakes offers diverse outdoor activities. You can enjoy hiking on trails like the 'Western Beacon Summit – Butterdon Hill Summit loop from Ivybridge' or 'The River Erme in Longtimber Woods – Pithill Wood loop from Ivybridge'. For more challenging adventures, there are gravel biking routes such as 'Lydia Bridge Waterfall – Avon Dam Reservoir loop from South Brent'. Explore more options on the hiking around Ugborough guide or the gravel biking around Ugborough guide.

Yes, Avon Dam Reservoir offers a beautiful panorama in quintessential moorland surroundings, making it a perfect spot for a rest. Additionally, the spoil tip at Redlake Pool provides spectacular 360-degree views of the southern plains of Dartmoor.

The warmer months are ideal for enjoying the local wildlife, such as Kingfishers and Dragonflies, especially around Filham Lake. For hiking and exploring the more remote areas like Redlake, spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds. Winter walks can also be rewarding, offering a bleak but beautiful Dartmoor landscape.

Yes, Burrator Reservoir has a quiet road and several unsealed tracks suitable for easy walks. The path to Avon Dam Reservoir from Shipley Bridge is a gentle climb along a smooth tarmac service road. You can find more easy routes on the easy hikes around Ugborough guide.

The tranquil setting of Filham Lake attracts local wildlife such as Kingfishers, waterfowl, Mayflies, and Dragonflies during warmer periods. Around Venford Reservoir, you can spot varied wildlife, as well as sheep and wild ponies roaming the surrounding moors.

While some areas like Filham Park are more accessible, many of the Dartmoor lakes, such as Redlake Pool and Crazywell Pool, are in remote locations. Access often involves hiking or cycling along routes like the old Dartmoor railway track, which forms part of the Two Moors Way. Public transport options directly to these remote spots are limited, so planning for walking or cycling is recommended.

Many areas around the lakes on Dartmoor are dog-friendly, especially for walks. However, it's always important to keep dogs under control, particularly around livestock (cattle, sheep, and Dartmoor ponies) which can often be seen grazing near reservoirs like Avon Dam. Always check local signage for specific restrictions, especially in nature conservation areas.

Redlake Pool is a unique flooded, abandoned china clay quarry located in a remote part of Dartmoor. Its post-industrial landscape, featuring a 30-meter-tall spoil tip, offers bleak but spectacular 360-degree views. It's known for wild swimming and appeals to those seeking solitude and an adventurous day out.

Near Redlake Pool, you can find remnants of its china clay extraction history, including ruins of a hostel where workers stayed. The track leading to Redlake, known locally as the 'Puffing Billy', was once used by a narrow-gauge railway. Signs of peat digging and a wooden tramway (South Zeal Tramway) are also present, offering glimpses into the area's industrial past.