Burrator Reservoir, Yelverton, Devon PL20 6PE
Burrator Discovery Centre – South West Lakes
Reservoir
Place photograph
7.4
Wildland
1–2 hours for the 3.5-mile reservoir circuit
Time
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Cost
Dramatic
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.4Burrator brings together a Dartmoor reservoir, open moorland and historic traces: abandoned farm ruins, tin-working remains, the Princetown Railway and prehistoric sites. Its Discovery Centre interprets the changing landscape and the construction of the dam.
Burrator is more than a reservoir circuit: the water sits against open Dartmoor and rugged tors, while ruined farms, tin-working traces and prehistoric remains give the landscape a human story. The Discovery Centre is a useful starting point, but check its volunteer-led opening before travelling specifically to see it.
Dramatic · Wild · Atmospheric
Find your way
Open mapBurrator Reservoir, Yelverton, Devon PL20 6PE
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The experience
Use the Discovery Centre as a starting point for the reservoir’s history and walking options, then choose between the documented reservoir circuit and the shorter, accessible Arboretum loop. Keep to verified paths and check opening and route conditions before setting out.
Things to do
Walk the Arboretum’s accessible circular route
Follow the sheltered, wide, level gravel path through woodland. The Dartmoor National Park source gives a circular distance of 800 m–1 km and identifies the Arboretum car park as the start.
800 m–1 km
Complete the reservoir circuit
A supplied visitor-information source describes an approximately 3.5-mile circular walk on lanes around the water, taking about 1.5–2 hours. Confirm current route conditions before setting out.
1.5–2 hours
Visit the Discovery Centre
Explore displays, spoken history and short films about Burrator’s history and natural environment. The trust advises phoning ahead if making a special journey because opening depends on volunteer availability.
Look for evidence of earlier lives and work
The trust identifies abandoned farm ruins, tin-working remains, the former Princetown Railway and prehistoric cists, cairns and settlements around Burrator. Check local information for locations and access.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 800 m–1 km; allow time to pause
Quick escape: the Arboretum loop
- 01
Start at Burrator Arboretum car park.
- 02
Follow the sheltered, wide, level gravel circular route through woodland.
- 03
Pause by the pond and look across the water towards the surrounding moor and trees.
Half day · 1.5–2 hours for the approximately 3.5-mile circuit, plus time at the Discovery Centre
Make a half day of it: reservoir and landscape history
- 01
Check the Discovery Centre is open before travelling specifically to visit it; its supplied page says opening is subject to volunteer availability.
- 02
Explore the centre’s displays and interpretation about reservoir construction, historic sites and the former landscape.
- 03
Walk the circular lanes around the reservoir, allowing 1.5–2 hours for the approximately 3.5-mile route reported by the supplied source.
- 04
Look out for the dam, woodland and moorland contrasts, and documented traces of settlement and industry.
Verified history
Burrator’s landscape was reshaped by reservoir construction and later dam raising; the trust says the Discovery Centre interprets this history. The surrounding area also contains remains of abandoned farms, tin working and the Princetown Railway, alongside prehistoric cists, cairns and settlement sites. The supplied material does not provide dates for these features.
Hidden details
Traces beneath and around the reservoir landscape — The trust points visitors towards abandoned farm ruins, tin-working remains and the remains of the Princetown Railway, alongside prehistoric cists and cairns. Specific locations and access details are not provided in the supplied source.
A short, level Arboretum route — The Dartmoor National Park route description specifies a sheltered, wide, level gravel surface and a circular distance of 800 m–1 km. Check current conditions before visiting.
When to go
· Not specified by the supplied sources.
The supplied sources describe walks, wildlife and historical features but do not establish seasonal peaks.
Check local weather and route conditions before setting out; no specific weather guidance is provided in the supplied sources.
The route
- surface
- Reservoir circuit follows lanes around the water; Arboretum route is gravel surfaced.
- distance
- Approximately 3.5 miles for the reservoir circuit; 800 m–1 km for the Arboretum circular route
- duration
- Approximately 1.5–2 hours for the reservoir circuit; duration for the Arboretum route not stated
- difficulty
- The reservoir circuit is described as easy-going and flat by the supplied visitor-information source. The Arboretum route is described as sheltered, wide and level.
- route shape
- Circular routes
- start point
- Burrator Arboretum car park for the Arboretum route; the supplied source lists multiple parking locations for the reservoir circuit.
- parking start
- The Arboretum has its own car park. Other reported reservoir parking locations include Quarry car park, Norsworthy Bridge and the dam; verify current arrangements.
- shorter alternative
- The 800 m–1 km circular route through Burrator Arboretum is a shorter documented alternative; its gravel path is described as wide, level and sheltered.
- Burrator Reservoir and dam
- Woodland Arboretum and pond
- Open moorland and Dartmoor tors
- Documented remains of abandoned farms, tin working and the Princetown Railway
- Prehistoric cists, cairns and settlement sites
What to look for
- 01
Look for the dam and its story of construction and later raising
- 02
seek out the remains of abandoned farms and tin working, traces of the Princetown Railway, and cists, cairns and prehistoric settlement sites. The trust also highlights Dartmoor ponies and woodland birds.
The story
Reservoir and dam construction; abandoned farms; tin working; remains of the Princetown Railway; prehistoric settlements and monuments.
Best time to go
Check conditions before setting out; the supplied sources do not identify a definitive best season.
The supplied sources do not establish a best time of day. Phone ahead before making a special journey to the Discovery Centre, which is subject to volunteer availability.
How long to spend
1–2 hours for the 3.5-mile reservoir circuit; shorter Arboretum options are also documented
Perfect for
Walkers · Families · Wildlife lovers · History lovers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 10am-3pm
- Wednesday: 10am-3pm
- Thursday: 10am-3pm
- Friday: 10am-3pm
- Saturday: 10am-3pm
- Sunday: Closed
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The reservoir area offers walks and wildlife viewing. The Discovery Centre is open 10.00am–3.30pm subject to volunteer availability; phone ahead if making a special journey. Check current access and conditions before visiting.
Check before visiting
Parking
The Arboretum has its own car park. Other parking locations mentioned by a supplied source include Quarry car park, Norsworthy Bridge and the dam; check current arrangements and capacity.
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Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
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Accessibility
The Discovery Centre source-row information states that the car park and entrance are wheelchair accessible. Dartmoor National Park describes a separate sheltered, wide, level gravel Arboretum route, 800 m–1 km circular, as suitable for all. Check current conditions and facilities before travel.
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Cost
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Water
Reservoir
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Burrator Discovery Centre – South West Lakes
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
