A view of the road curving down towards the dam wall.

Langsett Reservoir

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Who could have imagined that this three-and-a-half mile walk would reveal some of the most breathtaking scenery that we have ever witnessed; taking in water, vast coniferous woodland, moors and a big dollop of history to boot.

Modelled on Lancaster Castle, even the reservoir’s valvehouse was a striking start to our walk.

  • A view of the valvehouse at the side of the reservoir wall.
    Valvehouse
  • A photo of an oyster catcher walking on the dam wall.
    Oyster catcher
  • A view peering over the dam wall to the reservoir.
    Over the wall
  • A view of the road curving down towards the dam wall.
    Road with a view

Winding up a country lane, we joined a bridleway and worked our way down to the reservoir’s southern edge.

  • A photo of TK looking out to countryside from a bridleway.
    Bridleway
  • A view across fields to the distant moorland.
    Distant moors
  • A view through sloping conifers.
    Back down to the reservoir
  • A view of the reservoir from the side.
    Reservoir side

After crossing a metal bridge over a little stream, we climbed through coniferous woodland to reach the gateway leading onto the moors.

  • View of a stony stream from a metal bridge.
    Stream crossing
  • View out to the reservoir
  • Stony path leading up to a gate.
    Gateway to the moors

Immediately after the gate, we saw the remains of the North America farm (it was trendy in those days to name places after newly discovered lands). And no, it didn’t just fall down: this farm was used for tank practice on the run up to the D-Day landings; they did a pretty good job by the looks of it!

  • Stony remains of a building laying in the grass.
    Fire!
  • A pile of stones in the grass with a background of the reservoir.
    Hit!
We continued along the moorland path, dodging a charging ram on the way (luckily it dived into the long grass just before it reached us!) The path was hard-going in places, as it had been constructed using rubble from the Sheffield blitz. It was rather poignant walking on all that history.
  • A photo showing the sandy path winding over the moors
    The long and winding road
  • A view of the moorland and blue sky.
    Just moors and sky for miles
  • A photograph of two feathers - both brown with orange stripes.
    Feathers
  • A path made up of rubble
    Rubble, rubble, toil and trouble!
  • TK walking down a steep path made of large boulders.
    Boulder steps
Descending from the moors, we joined a sandy path to cross the Little Don; this is the river that feeds the reservoir and is a tributary to the River Don.
  • TK walking along a sandy path.
    The beach!
  • A view of the Little Don river.
    The Little Don

The northern edge of the lake brought some welcome relief from the hot sun, walking through a towering woodland of conifers.

  • Coniferous trees towering above the path.
    Towering conifers
  • A stony gorge edged by ferns and trees.
    Gorge

Finally, we located those intrepid explorers, also known as Grandma and Grandpa, and enjoyed a quiet picnic beside the pond.

A photo of the pond edged by low cliffs.
Pond