Post by alison on Nov 18, 2008 0:20:31 GMT
Thornton Reservoir Recce
Click here for a link which provides further info, maps etc.
Can be alittle windy too in some parts as the wind blasts across the lake... Skye loves it.
Great for pushchairs too.
Sol and I dawdled along and I think it took us about an hour and a half to get all the way round, although I didn't actually time it. I asked various people along the way who regularly do this walk and their opinion varied between 50 mins (fit-looking scary folk in lycra ) and 2 hours (Darby and Joan wearing matching beige cardigans ). The visitor map thing says that the circuit we took is 2.5 miles.
It had rained heavily the day and night before but apart from a few muddy patches and puddles the track was dry. Wide enough in most places to walk 4 abreast. Whilst it was by no means sticky or wet in the main, Kate's advice re. wellies is worth heeding.
Kind strangers falling for Sol's utterly unfounded "care in the community" allegations about me I only put up with this slander so I can take photos which illustrate the width and quality of the track.
The only place where things get narrow is the path between the end of the lakeside walk back to the car park where it would pretty much be single file (see below):
The car park is small. I'm not very good at estimating but my rough guess would be capacity for 40 cars or so. It's on the left (coming from Thornton village) opposite the plant nursery on the right of this photo.
The blue van is turning into the car park
The alternative would be to park on the road. There is another car park about 200 yards along from this on the route that the walk takes but it's strictly for anglers. I telephoned Severn Trent today seeking special dispensation for us to use it and whilst they would've been happy to allow that, it will be closed and gated off at the end of November to coincide with the end of the fishing season or something. The visitor centre and cafe will also be closed although the toilets will still be open. I checked out the ladies which were acceptably clean with soft toilet paper and Sol gave similar report of the gents.
There is another tiny car park at the end of the trail (pic below) so if any of the less fit amongst us would like to join for just part of the walk they could perhaps park there and walk a couple of hundred yards to meet up with the rest of the posse.
There were only 3 doggie poo bins (or bins of any sort for that matter) en route and not very sensibly spaced out. The first is about 10 mins into the walk and the next about 40 minutes along. Plenty of benches though at far more reasonable intervals should anyone need a breather.
This is the first time I've been there and it really is a lovely walk with some breathtaking views across the lake to the hills and fields beyond. Not too busy in terms of other people and dogs and we didn't encounter any cyclists at all! ;D
Click here for a link which provides further info, maps etc.
Well it takes us about an hour to get all the way round..... at a brisk walk, bring your wellies.. as in winter there can be a few puddles... that said.. its alovely walk.
Can be alittle windy too in some parts as the wind blasts across the lake... Skye loves it.
Great for pushchairs too.
Sol and I dawdled along and I think it took us about an hour and a half to get all the way round, although I didn't actually time it. I asked various people along the way who regularly do this walk and their opinion varied between 50 mins (fit-looking scary folk in lycra ) and 2 hours (Darby and Joan wearing matching beige cardigans ). The visitor map thing says that the circuit we took is 2.5 miles.
It had rained heavily the day and night before but apart from a few muddy patches and puddles the track was dry. Wide enough in most places to walk 4 abreast. Whilst it was by no means sticky or wet in the main, Kate's advice re. wellies is worth heeding.
Kind strangers falling for Sol's utterly unfounded "care in the community" allegations about me I only put up with this slander so I can take photos which illustrate the width and quality of the track.
The only place where things get narrow is the path between the end of the lakeside walk back to the car park where it would pretty much be single file (see below):
I gather that the car parking can be a little restricted. Any thoughts on the best place to park?
The car park is small. I'm not very good at estimating but my rough guess would be capacity for 40 cars or so. It's on the left (coming from Thornton village) opposite the plant nursery on the right of this photo.
The blue van is turning into the car park
The alternative would be to park on the road. There is another car park about 200 yards along from this on the route that the walk takes but it's strictly for anglers. I telephoned Severn Trent today seeking special dispensation for us to use it and whilst they would've been happy to allow that, it will be closed and gated off at the end of November to coincide with the end of the fishing season or something. The visitor centre and cafe will also be closed although the toilets will still be open. I checked out the ladies which were acceptably clean with soft toilet paper and Sol gave similar report of the gents.
There is another tiny car park at the end of the trail (pic below) so if any of the less fit amongst us would like to join for just part of the walk they could perhaps park there and walk a couple of hundred yards to meet up with the rest of the posse.
There were only 3 doggie poo bins (or bins of any sort for that matter) en route and not very sensibly spaced out. The first is about 10 mins into the walk and the next about 40 minutes along. Plenty of benches though at far more reasonable intervals should anyone need a breather.
This is the first time I've been there and it really is a lovely walk with some breathtaking views across the lake to the hills and fields beyond. Not too busy in terms of other people and dogs and we didn't encounter any cyclists at all! ;D