Near Biddulph, Staffordshire

Knypersley Reservoir

Reservoir

Place photograph

5.8

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

Check

Cost

Peaceful

Feel

LakesideWoodlandWalkersPhotographersWildlife lovers

Why it's Wildland

5.8

Built between 1825 and 1827 as a feeder for the Caldon Canal, Knypersley Reservoir sits within Greenway Bank Country Park, where waterside paths meet woodland and the curious Gawton’s Stone.

The appeal is more than a reservoir view: a waterside loop, nearby woodland and a locally told hermit story give this Staffordshire country-park walk several layers to explore. The supplied route information conflicts on distance, so check a current map before setting out.

Peaceful · Atmospheric

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Near Biddulph, Staffordshire

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The experience

Follow the reservoir-side path for water views, then look out for Gawton’s Stone and, if time allows, explore the woodland and Serpentine Pool mentioned in the supplied source material. Confirm the route and conditions before setting out.

Things to do

Walk beside the reservoir

Follow a waterside route. Supplied route listings disagree on distance and duration, so check a current map and choose a suitable option.

About 48 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the route source and chosen route.

Find Gawton’s Stone

Look for the stone feature identified as Gawton’s Stone on the supplied walking-route page. The account of a plague survivor becoming a hermit is presented as a story, not established history.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · Around 1 hour; route sources give differing distances and times.

The reservoir-side escape

01
Follow a reservoir-side path for a short out-and-back or loop, checking a current map for the route that suits you.
02
Pause for the waterside views.
03
Look for Gawton’s Stone if following a route that includes it.

Half day · Allow a half day; exact timings are not verified.

Reservoir, woodland and Serpentine Pool

01
Begin with a reservoir-side walk, checking the route and ground conditions before setting out.
02
Explore the quiet woodland and look for the waterfall and Serpentine Pool mentioned in the supplied source.
03
Pause at Gawton’s Stone and distinguish the local hermit tale from the reservoir’s documented canal history.

Verified history

The supplied Tripadvisor page describes Knypersley Reservoir as a canal feeder reservoir built between 1825 and 1827 to supply the Caldon Canal, designed by Thomas Telford and constructed by engineer James Potter. These details are supported here by that supplied page; no further historical claims are established by the available research.

Folklore & legend

A supplied route description recounts a story that a man cured of the plague became a hermit and lived beneath Gawton’s Stone. Treat this as local legend; the source does not verify it as history.

Hidden details

The story attached to Gawton’s Stone — Look for Gawton’s Stone and note the hermit tale associated with it. The story is reported as a legend, not a verified account.

When to go

October · November · Not established by the supplied sources; check conditions and visitor information before travelling.

A supplied video describes autumn colour at the reservoir. Other supplied route information says paths can be wet and boggy after rain, so conditions may matter more than the month.

Paths may be boggy and wet after rain; take suitable footwear and check conditions before setting out.

What to look for

Gawton’s Stone, the reservoir’s waterside setting and, on an expanded visit, the Serpentine Pool and waterfall described in a supplied source. The hermit story belongs to local legend, not verified history.

The story

Canal water supply; local legend associated with Gawton’s Stone

Best time to go

Year-round; autumn colour is highlighted in a supplied walk video. Paths may be wet and boggy after rain.

Autumn is a good choice for woodland colour; visit after a spell of dry weather if you want to reduce the chance of boggy paths. A quiet time of day is not verified by the supplied sources.

How long to spend

1–2 hours

Perfect for

Walkers · Photographers · Wildlife lovers

Practical information

Opening & access

A reservoir-side walk within Greenway Bank Country Park is described by supplied sources. Check current access, route conditions and any restrictions before travelling.

Check before visiting

Parking

Parking details are inconsistent in the supplied material. Check before visiting.

Check before visiting

Toilets

Check before visiting; the source row mentions toilets near the main parking area, but this is not corroborated by the supplied research URLs.

Check before visiting

Food & drink

Check before visiting; no on-site food provision is verified by the supplied research URLs.

Check before visiting

Dogs

Check current rules and signage before visiting.