Key Information
- Length – 4km
- Time – 1 hour
- Difficulty – Moderate
- Livestock – No
- Stiles – No
- Water – Yes
- On/Off Lead – On
- Footwear – Hiking boots
Route Map
Route Description
Agden Reservoir is a beautiful, lesser visited, small reservoir just above the village of Low Bradfield. The walk starts in the village, going up a series of steps and a short walk along a quiet country lane, before joining the reservoir path. This walk has a mix of terrains and can be quite muddy in winter. The level of the reservoir also affects the walk, in terms of how exposed the banks are and how far away the water is. Caution should be taken around big bodies of water, especially reservoirs, as they can be dangerous for dogs and people to swim in. There have been reports in the past of blue-green algae in Agden Reservoir, so you might not want to let your pooches swim in it.
Image: Seamus at the water’s edge.
The walk starts at The Sands car park (free) in Low Bradfield, next to the cricket pitch. It can get busy at the weekend, but there is also lots of street parking in Low Bradfield. From the car park, exit on the northern side towards the field. Follow the path to the right and past the bridge to the tennis courts. You will take the next bridge over the stream and follow the steep steps going up. Keep going until you get to an alleyway between a large house and a field. Be careful at the top of this alleyway as it immediately exits onto a country lane (Smallfield Lane), so you might want to keep your pooches on a lead or warn any children who are on the walk. When you get to the top, turn left and follow the country lane. In about 100 metres, the reservoir will appear on the left. Keep going, following the wall on your left until you reach a small driveway, which is the entrance to Agden Reservoir. The verge is quite wide along the road so it is easy to move out of the way of cars, if needed.
Image: Steps going up to the reservoir from Low Bradfield.
The path follows the edge of the reservoir and goes between some big pine trees, a common sight at Yorkshire reservoirs. When the sun is out, it can be lovely to go and sit by the side of the water at various points. As mentioned before, if the reservoir levels are very low, it’s a bit more of a walk to get to the water’s edge, but in summer it becomes more beach-like! Continuing the walk, after 5-10 minutes you will reach a wooden post on the path that directs you away from the reservoir and up a short steep path to a gate and a wider, more level path. Follow this path to the left for a few hundred yards, with the wall on your left and steep bank on your right.
Image: Seamus on a rock when Agden was quite low.
You will reach a wooded area and be able to see a stream that feeds the reservoir on your left. There is a bridge that crosses the stream, accessed by following a short, steep path down to a gate. This stream can be a great place for dogs to enjoy a paddle, particularly if they haven’t been in the reservoir. The speed and depth can vary a lot depending on the season though. Cross the bridge and walk down stream on the other side. The path will take you away from the water and start going up. Follow it as it curves to the left through some bigger trees, keeping the view of the reservoir on your left.
Image: Seamus playing in the stream.
This is where, in winter particularly, it can get quite muddy! Following the path as it goes gradually uphill, be cautious of drops on the left as the hill can be quite steep going down. Seamus dropped a ball down here once and decided to fetch it over very rugged terrain. As you near the top of the hill, there will be another wooden post indicating a smaller path going down to the reservoir, follow this with caution again and the drop on the left is still there. You will get closer to the water and follow the path south-east. You can’t exit the path until the end of this reservoir section so just keep following it until you reach another country lane (Windy Bank). Watch out again here, as the path does throw you straight into the road. Turn left and follow the lane away from the reservoir. Windy Bank meets Fair House Lane after 5 minutes, so turn left here and follow it down the hill, then left and back into The Sands car park where you started.
Image: Seamus on the muddy path in winter.
Seamus Paw Rating: 5/5
