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Avon Dam Reservoir

62 ha

📷 Michael Dibb · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

BirdsWildlifeDogs
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome62 ha

Getting here

50.47335, -3.86736

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦77+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Blackbird and Robin
  • 🐕Early mornings are best for dog walks in summer — visit before 9am to avoid the heat and find quieter trails
  • 📍Open access throughout summer — no booking required

Good to know

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

Best for

7 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Blackbird, Robin, Carrion Crow +74 more · last seen 2025; Reservoir — wildfowl and wading birds

Free

Wildlife

Birds — Blackbird, Robin, Carrion Crow +74 more · last seen 2025; Upland heathland priority habitat

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed with public access

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Golden-ringed Dragonfly, Beautiful Demoiselle, Large Red Damselfly +6 more · last seen 2024

Free

Waterside walks

Reservoir — waterside public access

Varies

Hiking

Named hiking route nearby: Abbot's Way; Named hiking route nearby: Abbot's Way

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

3 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Two Moors WayWalking route
Named routeRef MWListed length 166Regional walking route
Dartmoor WayWalking route
Named routeRef DWRegional walking route
Abbot's WayWalking route
Named routeRef AWRegional walking route
🚴

Cycling

8 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route 2Cycling route

National Cycle Route 2 Dawlish to Plymouth

Named routeRef 2National Cycle Network
NCN272Cycling route
Named routeRef 272National Cycle Network
Forder LaneCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Dartmoor Way (Cycle)Cycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Main RouteCycling route2.9 km
Named routeRef 2Length 2.9 kmNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route496 m
Named routeRef 2Length 496 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
🐴

Horse riding

9 public paths nearby

Public paths
Abbots Waybridleway · 1.5 km
Public pathbridlewayLength 1.5 kmSurface unpavedPath type: bridleway
South Brent Bridleway 27bridleway · 246 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 246 mPath type: service
Dartmoor Waybridleway · 597 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 597 mSurface gravelPath type: track
Dean Prior Bridleway 8bridleway · 332 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 332 mSurface asphaltPath type: service

Wildlife to spot

Photos

The Avon Dam Reservoir [1]

📷 Michael Dibb · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

The Avon Dam Reservoir [1]

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Weather for this location

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

✦Medieval farmstead and field system, post-medieval tinworks, prehistoric settlements and cairns north and west of Gibby CoombeHistoric site3.9 km→✦Hut circles and two enclosures on Dean Moor, near River AvonHistoric site400 m→✦SettlementsHistoric site500 m→💧Avon Dam ReservoirReservoir0 m→✦Cairn west of Ball Gate, Corringdon BallHistoric site4.1 km→✦Ringleshutes tinworkHistoric site4.5 km→