Roadford Lake - more than just a reservoir!

Lots to see and masses to do, both on and off the water

Just five minutes off the A30, between Launceston and Okehampton, you will find the spectacular Roadford Lake. Surrounded by countryside and nestled amongst the beautiful surroundings of the Wolf Valley with the dramatic tors of Dartmoor as its backdrop, it’s hard to believe that the site of Roadford once housed a number of buildings and farms before it was selected as a site for a reservoir in July 1975.

After a long process of public consultations and following the drought of 1976, improvements to the roads around the site began in January 1985. Work on the dam commencing in early 1987 and took two years to complete.

Completed in 1989, Roadford holds an astonishing 8,140 million gallons of water when full - that’s equivalent to one hundred and forty-five billion, eight hundred and twenty-two million, nine hundred and seventy-two thousand, nine hundred and one (145, 822,972,901) cups of tea!

The reservoir has a surface of more than 730 acres (1.9 square miles) and is more than 130 feet deep, making it one of the largest inland waters in the South West. The water supplies North Devon and is also released into the River Tamar system which is treated and then supplied to Plymouth and parts of South West Devon.

Want to learn more? Each year South West Water invites members of the public to find out what happens behind the scenes at Roadford. After walking under the dam visitors scale the 170 steps to the top of the valve tower. The steep climb is not for the faint-hearted but offers a unique opportunity to view this spectacular lake.

The dam tours, which are free to attend, take place annually at Roadford’s Open Day, which next year will be taking place on Sunday, 27 May, and in September as part of the country-wide Heritage Open Days.

South West Lakes Trust

Since 2000, regional charity South West Lakes Trust has managed all of South West Water’s reservoirs for public enjoyment, environmental safeguarding and recreational pursuits. Popular beauty spots looked after by the Trust also include Burrator Reservoir in Devon, Siblyback, Stithians and Tamar Lakes in Cornwall and Wimbleball Lake on Exmoor.

In the past 17 years the Trust has been awarded nearly £12m of grant funding to deliver fantastic projects across the whole region, benefitting people of all ages and abilities; local communities and the natural and built heritage.

Projects at Roadford have included:

• The Lakeside Café and Function Suite which opened to the public in July 2005
• Fantastic new facilities at the Activity Centre in July 2011 which included the 30ft high ropes system, an indoor climbing wall and an archery range
• Two new cycle trails in 2012
• A new footpath in 2017, funded by South West Water, which connects the two sides of the lake

Play and explore

South West Lakes Trust are passionate about people from all walks of life being able to benefit from the wonderful countryside around their lakes and, with so much on offer at Roadford, there really is something for everyone. From kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding and sailing, to archery, climbing, fishing, walking and cycling – Roadford offers an excellent day out.

There’s plenty of fun and free things to do. Discover the cob shelter, spot a range of wildlife from the bird hides, whizz through the off-road cycle trails or simply relax and enjoy the spectacular views. Incidentally, while enjoying those lake views, you may notice some ripples on the surface of the water. While some believe that a monster may be lurking in the murky depths of the lake, these ripples are actually produced by the air pipe that aerates the water.

A nature lover’s paradise

With a range of natural habitats on its shores, from culm grasslands, woodlands, old pastures and orchards, Roadford is a nature lover’s paradise. Flora and fauna can be found in abundance including teal, Canada geese, birds of prey, badgers, bats, red and roe deer and a healthy population of the endangered hazel dormouse. Evidence suggests that dormice were present at Roadford pre-1989, before the valley was flooded and South West Lakes Trust carries out bi-annual surveys which tie in with the national dormouse monitoring programme, which helps assess the state of the UK population.

The dormouse box checks take place in May and September each year and members of the public are welcome to join.

Something for everyone

So, whether you’re an adrenaline junkie who loves to get out on the water, a keen birdwatcher who is searching for that perfect photo opportunity, a family looking for somewhere to keep the kids entertained or someone who just loves to walk in gorgeous countryside, Roadford has it all.

For more information visit www.swlakestrust.org.uk