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Smiddy Shaw Reservoir

32 ha

📷 Robert Graham · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

BirdsWildlifeInsects
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome32 ha

Getting here

54.81074, -1.93379

Open directionsv
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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

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  • 🐦79+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Lapwing and Greylag Goose
  • 🐕Early mornings are best for dog walks in summer — visit before 9am to avoid the heat and find quieter trails
  • 🅿️Parking 342m away

Best for

7 activities

Bird watching

Very strong match

Free

Birds — Lapwing, Greylag Goose, Red Grouse (scotica) +76 more · last seen 2025; Reservoir — wildfowl and wading birds

Wildlife

Strong match

Free

Birds — Lapwing, Greylag Goose, Red Grouse (scotica) +76 more · last seen 2025; Lowland heathland priority habitat

Insect spotting

Strong match

Free

Lowland heathland — silver-studded blue and heath fritillary butterflies; Insects — Large Red Damselfly, Black Darter, Golden-ringed Dragonfly +7 more · last seen 2025

Dog walks

Good match

Free

Dogs allowed with public access

Waterside walks

Good match

Varies

Reservoir — waterside public access; parking

Seasonal nature

Good match

Free

Plants — Eyebright, Bell Heather, Meadow Vetchling +7 more · last seen 2025

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

▾

4 signed routes nearby · 18 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Lead Mining TrailWalking route▾
Named routeRegional walking route
Way of LightWalking route▾
Named routeRegional walking route
Consett Steel and SwordsWalking route▾
Named routeRound tripLocal walking route
Consett Heritage TrailWalking route▾
Named routeRound tripLocal walking route
🚴

Cycling

▾

15 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Satley LoopCycling route30 km▾
Named routeRef CDN1Length 30 kmRound tripLocal cycle route
Route C2CCycling route▾

C2C off-road sections - no longer NCN

Named routeRef C2CRegional cycle route
Route C2CCycling route▾

C2C Stanhope on-road braid

Named routeRef C2CRegional cycle route
National Byway (County Durham and Northumberland)Cycling route▾

The National Byway route through County Durham and Northumberland

Named routeRef NBRegional cycle route
Route 7Cycling route▾
Named routeRef 7National Cycle Network
Main RouteCycling route321 m▾
Named routeRef 7Length 321 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface unsealedfirm
🚵

Mountain biking

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1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby
Sea to Sea routeMountain bike route▾

The UK's most popular challenge cycle route, travelling 136 miles between the Irish Sea and the North Sea, from Cumbria to Tyneside via the northern Lake District and the Pennines

Named routeRef C2CPoint-to-pointRegional cycle route
🐴

Horse riding

▾

1 public path nearby

Public paths

No named routes yet. Public paths are shown on the map.

Wildlife to spot

Photos

16 photos from nearby open sources

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View across Smiddy Shaw Reservoir

📷 Robert Graham · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

View across Smiddy Shaw Reservoir

1 / 16

Facilities

🅿️

Parking

1 nearby · 342m

✓ Public accessFree entry🐶 Dogs

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome

Weather for this location

Next 14 days

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Village Hall FieldUrban park4.7 km→✦Monastic grange at Priory FarmHistoric site3.8 km→✦Swandale Lead MineHistoric site4.8 km→💧Smiddy Shaw ReservoirReservoir0 m→🌱Drover's DellUrban park4.7 km→✦The Railway InnHistoric site1.5 km→