This circular Dale Dike Reservoir walk takes in a truly beautiful part of the Yorkshire Peak District from the pretty village of Bradfield and then around to Dale Dike Reservoir and Agden Reservoir. Dale Dike Reservoir was the scene of a terrible tragedy in 1864, when its walls collapsed soon after construction was completed. 650 million gallons of water surged along the Loxley Valley into Sheffield, killing more than 250 people and destroying hundreds of properties. The reservoir was rebuilt and, happily, the landscape today is much more peaceful and tranquil. There are wonderful views along the walk, and some great picnic spots on the way.
This Dale Dike Reservoir walk of just over 5.5 miles. It uses clearly-marked trails and country lanes and the terrain is relatively level, although there is an option to extend the route which adds a fairly steep uphill section. There are a number of ladder stiles, as well as a squeeze stile.
The walk starts and ends at a pub, where patrons are allowed to park in the car park, although there is usually plenty of free street parking available in Bradfield and on the lanes close to the start of the walk. Bradfield has cafés and two pubs, as well as public toilets. Allow 1-2 hours to complete this walk at a moderate pace, allowing for rest stops to take in the views.
Note: This route is provided in good faith and is correct at the time of publication. Please be aware that routes may be diverted over time as paths and access are altered, particularly in farming areas. Our directions should not be used instead of a map. You should always take a map with you to cross-reference the route.
The Walk
1. This Dale Dike Reservoir walk starts from The Plough pub, on the outskirts of the village of Low Bradfield (SK 26323 91662 – Postcode S6 6HW – /// rare.gears.dare). To begin the walk, cross over Mill Lee Road and take the public footpath immediately opposite the pub. This pretty country lane soon leads you out of the village and past the Bradfield Community Orchard on your right hand side.
Dale Dike Reservoir Walk Circular including Bradfield
2. Follow
the well-marked path over a series of step stiles and through pretty woodland,
until you pass Annet Bridge on the right hand side, crossing Dale Dike. Cross a step stile on to a quiet country lane
and turn left, following the lane up. Be
aware that there are no footpaths on this section of road.
3. Follow
this quiet lane up a slight hill. Soon
after passing a cattery, look out for a public footpath on the right hand side
leading into woodland, signed Wragg House Plantation. Follow this well-made footpath through the woods,
continuing straight on and ignoring a footpath off to the right.
4. Soon
after emerging from the woods, cross another step stile and walk straight on
through a grass field, keeping to the right of a stone wall, admiring the views
over the Dale Dike Reservoir on your right.
5. At a fork
in the paths take the right hand, lower path, leading slightly down towards the
reservoir. Follow this path through a succession
of fields and gate holes. There is a small
but pretty area of woodland along this part of the path, with a well-positioned
picnic bench beside a stream.
Dale Dike Reservoir Walk picnic benches
6. Soon after passing the picnic bench and woodland on your right hand side, at another fork in the path again take the right hand, lower path, leading slightly down towards the reservoir, keeping a line of trees on your left hand side.
7. Pass
through a squeeze stile set in a stone wall at the end of this path, emerging
into another pretty area of woodland, again with a picnic bench beside a
stream. At this junction turn right and
cross the tall ladder stile over the wall, leading directly to the
reservoir. On reaching the path
alongside the reservoir, turn left and cross over a small footbridge. Follow this path as it tracks along the banks
of the reservoir, with the water on your right hand side.
8. You will emerge from the path into an open grass field. Turn right here and follow the green arrow markers across the field. At a fork in the path, turn right and cross over a small wooden footbridge to walk back alongside the reservoir on the opposite side. This path tracks through pretty woodland, although it can be muddy in places so do take care, especially close to the water’s edge.
9. Follow
this well-made path all the way along the side of the reservoir, until you see the
dam wall visible ahead of you. At the end
of the path cross through a gate to the left of the dam wall and follow the
footpath straight on, passing a memorial to those who lost their lives in the
Dale Dike Reservoir tragedy on your right.
Dale Dike Reservoir Walk views
10. Continue
on this well-made cinder track, keeping straight on and ignoring a footpath off
to the right. This path eventually
emerges through a gate on to a quiet lane.
Turn right on to the lane.
11. At this point you can either continue down the lane and follow it all the way back into Low Bradfield, or extend the walk further to walk alongside Agden Reservoir. If you decide to return to Low Bradfield, follow the road downhill as it bears right and skirts around the picturesque village cricket pitch. Continue straight on up the hill to find The Plough pub and the starting point of your walk on your left hand side.
12. If you
wish to extend the walk, look out for a bridleway off to your left soon after
you have emerged through the gate on to the quiet lane. Follow the bridleway up, keeping to the right
of a stone wall. There are some handy
gas pipeline markers to show the way of the path. Make sure you pause a while on the hill to
look back at the view over Dale Dike Reservoir and Strines Reservoir above
it.
Dale Dike Reservoir Walk Circular including Bradfield
13. At the top
of the hill pass through a gate, and immediately afterwards turn right to go
through another gate into a field. Stay
to the top right edge of this field, to the left of a stone wall. Pass through another gate to the left hand side
of a metal farm gate, admiring the views ahead of you. Cross an obvious ladder stile over the stone
wall ahead of you, and immediately turn left, dropping downhill to a quiet
country lane.
14. Turn right on the lane and follow this road as it returns to Low Bradfield. Be aware that there is no footpath on the lane. You will soon see Agden Reservoir on your left hand side, and beyond that the village of Low Bradfield ahead and to the left of you. The reservoir you can see in the distance above the village is Damflask Reservoir.
Dale Dike Reservoir Walk Circular including Bradfield
15. At a road junction
turn left and follow the signs to Low Bradfield. You will pass the village cricket pitch on your
left hand side, and after that a picnic area alongside a pretty stream. Continue straight on up the hill to find The
Plough pub and the starting point of your walk on your left hand side.
Dale Dike Reservoir Walk Circular including Bradfield
If you’re in need of refreshments and sustenance after this walk, we recommend The Old Horns Inn in High Bradfield, only a short drive from the start of the walk. It serves great food and beer, and has probably the best views from any pub garden in the whole of the Peak District!
We hope you enjoyed your Dale Dike Reservoir Walk
If you’d like to learn more about Bradfield and the history of Dale Dike Reservoir, watch our video below:
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