Plan your visit
DogsWaterWildlife
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome992 ha
Getting here
51.98554, 1.12572
Best for
6 activitiesDog walks
Free72%Dogs allowed with public access
Waterside walks
Varies71%Reservoir — waterside public access; parking
Wildlife
Free70%Reservoir — wildfowl and wading birds
Cycling
Varies58%Named cycling route nearby: Alton Water Loop
Hiking
Free58%Named hiking route nearby: Alton Water Red Route
Picnic day out
Free52%Reservoir — waterside day out
Trails nearby
Within roughly 5 km🚶Walking
v5 signed routes nearby · 5 public paths nearby
Signed route nearbyPublic paths
🚶
vWalking
Alton Water Red RouteWalking route▾
Named routeLocal walking route
Stour Valley Path part 3Walking route▾
Named routeRegional walking route
King Charles III England Coast Path: East: Shotley Gate to Felixstowe FerryWalking route▾
Named routeRef ECPNational walking route
Stour & Orwell WalkWalking route▾
Named routeRegional walking route
Essex Way (Stratford St Mary to Ramsey)Walking route▾
Named routeRegional walking route
🚴Cycling
v17 signed routes nearby
Signed route nearby
🚴
vCycling
NCN 51Cycling route▾
Named routeRef 51National Cycle Network
South Suffolk Route BCycling route▾
Named routeRef BRegional cycle route
Alton Water LoopCycling route▾
Named routeLocal cycle route
South Suffolk Route B3Cycling route▾
Named routeRef B3Regional cycle route
South Suffolk Route B2Cycling route▾
Named routeRef B2Regional cycle route
South Suffolk Route B1Cycling route▾
Named routeRef B1Regional cycle route
🐴Horse riding
v4 public paths nearby
Public paths
🐴
vHorse riding
Puddeny Pokebridleway · 142 m▾
Public pathbridlewayLength 142 mPath type: bridleway
Puddeny Pokebridleway · 218 m▾
Public pathbridlewayLength 218 mPath type: bridleway
About this reservoir
Alton Water is a reservoir covering 992 hectares managed by Forestry England within their forest estate.
Wildlife to spot
Photos
1 / 15
🌱 Visiting this spring
- 🐦Prime nesting season — listen for woodpecker drumming, warbler song and the first cuckoos from April
- 🦌Roe deer are active before the leaf canopy closes in — dawn and dusk are best
Facilities
🅿️
Parking
1 nearby · Free · 291m
✓ Public accessFree entry🐶 Dogs
Good to know
- £Free to visit — no entry charge
- 🐕Dogs welcome
- 🌳Large woodland — room to roam
Weather for this location
Next 14 daysLoading local forecast…
Nearby places
Useful places within 5 km