South West Lakes Trust is dedicated to caring for and enhancing the South West’s reservoirs and lakes: they are home to wonderful animals and boast important habitats and built historic sites. We pride ourselves on enabling people of all abilities to enjoy these special locations by providing access both on and off the water.

Every year, millions of people visit lakes and reservoirs across the UK. They provide a perfect setting for a great day out, be it for a stroll, to play, nature watch or enjoy adventurous activities such as stand up paddle boarding, kayaking or sailing.

As an independent charity, our purpose is to protect special places for people and wildlife; in doing this we care for over 40 inland waters in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset. Ranging in size from one to nine hundred acres, the lakes provide unrivalled access to watersports, angling, walking and cycling, and are places you can be active or play and explore all day long. It’s your outdoors – come and explore!

In Exmoor there are two  South West Lakes Trust reservoirs – Wistlandpound and Wimbleball Lake:

Wistlandpound Reservoir, located on the edge of Exmoor National Park, is a haven for wildlife and provides a beautiful and tranquil setting for a woodland walk or a day spent in the great outdoors.

Walking: There are two main paths that wind around the perimeter of the lake and through the surrounding deep alpine green spruce plantations. The lower path is an easy, flat and very accessible route. The upper path takes you through Forestry Commission land and is slightly less even underfoot (and sometimes muddy), but it remains flat. This is a great place to pull on your wellington boots, splash in the puddles and breathe in the fresh air. Wheelchair and pushchair accessible paths have been created around the reservoir, to allow people of all abilities to enjoy being outdoors.

Wildlife: An established nature reserve, Wistlandpound boasts a small area of species rich grassland where orchids grow. Look out for bright purple rosebay willowherb in the spring too. The bird hide provides an ideal stopping point for watching wildfowl and wading birds; you might even spot a great white egret over the winter period.

Fishing: Fishing for brown trout is available at Wistlandpound, and is a favourite reservoir for the angler seeking a more natural and wild environment. Fly-fishing season is 15 March- 15 October.