Dartmoor walks

Trenchford Reservoir

Trenchford Reservoir is one of three reservoirs that were built in the 19th century to provide the growing seaside borough of Torquay with water. Trenchford was the last of the three to be constructed - it was completed by 1907 and is the deepest of the three and covers over 30 acres. Pike and carp fishing are specialties of Trenchford. This quiet and sheltered area is attractive to a wide range of wildlife and is an ideal place to bring all members of the family.

Park at the car park at SX 804823. You may be asked for a contribution. Visitors are very welcome at this place. Beside the car park there are picnic tables, toilets and maps. It is easy to follow the signposted footpaths around the reservoir and also to go off exploring the adjacent Tottiford reservoir.

Sensible footwear is all that is required. A map is hardly needed. This place is ideal for a summer evening walk after work although it is accessible at much any time of day. We did this walk on a drizzly day in early January.

	The spacious car park at Trenchford Reservoir - SX 804823. Detailed information boards and maps are available and visitors are encouraged to sit and use the picnic tables that are close on hand.
	SE view of the reservoir from SX 804826. In the middle distance lies the dam which has recently been rebuilt. The water in the reservoir is a little low because of the rebuild.
	A NW view of the reservoir looking towards the tip which is where the Trenchford stream merges into the water body.
	A typical path beside the reservoir. Good management of the woodland takes place and there has been substantial pruning of the rhodendrons.
	The input from the Trenchford stream. View from the footbridge at SX 802829
	The footbridge across the tip of the dam. on the left hand side there looks to be good clumps of Salix growing in the damp ground.
	The path at SX 805825
	A view of the adjacent Trenchford Reservoir from the dam path.
	This is the other tip of Trenchford reservoir and is where it receives overspill from the adjacent Tottiford reservoir. Photo taken from the road at SX 810827
	The main body of Trenchford reservoir photographed from the dam at SX 806823

Trenchford Reservoir

Sensible footwear is all that is required. A map is hardly needed. This place is ideal for a summer evening walk after work although it is accessible at much any time of day. We did this walk on a drizzly day in early January.

The spacious car park at Trenchford Reservoir - SX 804823. Detailed information boards and maps are available and visitors are encouraged to sit and use the picnic tables that are close on hand.

SE view of the reservoir from SX 804826. In the middle distance lies the dam which has recently been rebuilt. The water in the reservoir is a little low because of the rebuild.

A NW view of the reservoir looking towards the tip which is where the Trenchford stream merges into the water body.

A typical path beside the reservoir. Good management of the woodland takes place and there has been substantial pruning of the rhodendrons.

The input from the Trenchford stream. View from the footbridge at SX 802829

The footbridge across the tip of the dam. on the left hand side there looks to be good clumps of Salix growing in the damp ground.

The path at SX 805825

A view of the adjacent Trenchford Reservoir from the dam path.

This is the other tip of Trenchford reservoir and is where it receives overspill from the adjacent Tottiford reservoir. Photo taken from the road at SX 810827

The main body of Trenchford reservoir photographed from the dam at SX 806823