7.8
Wildland
1–2 hours for Potter’s Walk
Time
Paid
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.8A Dartmoor reservoir where a gentle lakeside circuit opens onto a much older landscape: Bronze Age hut circles and cairns sit among the moorland, while submerged clapper bridges recall crossings lost beneath the water.
Fernworthy earns its place through the striking overlap of reservoir, forest and Dartmoor archaeology. The accessible Potter’s Walk offers an easy way in, while the longer circuit brings the ancient remains and bird hides into the day.
Peaceful · Atmospheric · Wild
Find your way
Open mapDartmoor National Park, Devon
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Choose the short, mostly flat Potter’s Walk for a gentle lakeside outing, or take the longer 2.6-mile circuit to combine the water, woodland, bird hides and archaeological remains. Fishing is available subject to the relevant rules and tickets; swimming or paddling permission is not established by the supplied sources.
Things to do
Walk Potter’s Walk
Take the 0.75-mile, mostly flat lakeside stroll from the reservoir car park, with views across the water towards Thornworthy Tor.
About 30–45 minutes walking
Follow the longer reservoir circuit
Explore the 2.6-mile circular route through lakeside, woodland and moorland scenery, with archaeological points of interest along the way.
Check before visiting
Visit the bird hides
Use the two bird hides at the western end of the reservoir, in the nature reserve. South West Lakes Trust mentions common sandpipers, great black-backed gulls and crossbills among the wildlife to look out for.
Look for Bronze Age remains
Keep an eye out for the hut circles and cairns that make the reservoir landscape an archaeological destination as well as a waterside walk.
Stop at the picnic area
Bring a packed lunch and use the picnic area with benches overlooking the lake and archaeological points of interest.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 30–45 minutes of walking; allow 1–2 hours for stops.
Quick Escape: Potter’s Walk
- 01
Start from the reservoir car park.
- 02
Follow Potter’s Walk for a gentle, mostly flat lakeside stroll.
- 03
Pause for views across the water towards Thornworthy Tor and look for birds on the reservoir.
- 04
Return to the car park.
Half day · Allow around 2–3 hours; verify route conditions and walking time locally.
Make a Half Day of It: Reservoir Circuit and Archaeology
- 01
Begin at the reservoir car park and take in the lakeside views.
- 02
Follow the 2.6-mile circular route described by South West Lakes Trust, taking time for its woodland, moorland and waterside sections.
- 03
Look for Bronze Age hut circles and cairns, and visit the bird hides at the western end.
- 04
Finish with a stop at the picnic area overlooking the lake and archaeological landscape.
Verified history
Fernworthy Reservoir was completed in 1942 and supplies Torquay with drinking water, gravity-feeding into Trenchford Reservoir. South West Lakes Trust says it holds up to 380 million gallons. Its surrounding landscape includes Bronze Age hut circles and cairns, while clapper bridges were submerged beneath the reservoir.
Folklore & legend
South West Lakes Trust mentions a local legend of the Earth Gnomes, but the supplied source does not give further details. Treat it as folklore, not verified history.
Hidden details
Submerged clapper bridges — The reservoir covers old clapper-bridge crossings. The supplied source does not identify their precise former locations, so they are part of the landscape’s story rather than a feature visitors can be directed to on the ground.
Bronze Age hut circles and cairns — Look around the reservoir landscape for the remains of ancient settlement and burial monuments noted by South West Lakes Trust.
When to go
· A calm, clear morning is a sensible choice for lakeside views and birdwatching; this is practical guidance, not a sourced guarantee of wildlife activity.
The supplied sources do not specify a best season. Longer days may make it easier to combine the short accessible route with the longer circuit and archaeological stops.
Check Dartmoor weather and path conditions before setting out; no specific local forecast or seasonal condition is supplied.
What to look for
Look for Bronze Age hut circles and cairns around the reservoir landscape, the bird hides at its western end, and the dam. The reservoir also covers former clapper-bridge crossings.
The story
Bronze Age archaeology; submerged historic crossings; reservoir construction and water supply.
Best time to go
Spring to autumn for longer days and accessible walking; check conditions before visiting in wet or wintry weather.
A clear, calm morning is a good choice for lakeside views and birdwatching. No specific seasonal wildlife peak is established by the supplied sources.
How long to spend
1–2 hours for Potter’s Walk; allow longer for the full circuit and archaeological stops.
Perfect for
Walkers · Families · Young children · Wildlife lovers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
A South West Lakes Trust destination with lakeside walking routes. Parking is chargeable; check current access and payment details before setting out.
Check before visiting
Parking
Car park at the reservoir. South West Lakes Trust lists parking at £2 for one hour, £3 for three hours or £6 for the day; verify current charges and payment options before visiting.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Public toilets are listed at the car park by Visit Dartmoor; check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Dogs are permitted on a lead, according to South West Lakes Trust.
Accessibility
Potter’s Walk is described by Visit Dartmoor as a mostly flat 0.75-mile route with no steps, gates or stiles, resting places and disabled parking bays. South West Lakes Trust describes an accessible lakeside section of about three-quarters of a mile. Check current path conditions.
Check before visiting
Cost
Paid
Water
Reservoir
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Fernworthy Reservoir
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
