A circuit of Stocks Reservoir
Stocks Reservoir was constructed to ensure Blackpool had an adequate water supply especially for its millions of summer visitors. Opened in 1932, the reservoir now provides a superb amenity for lovers of the outdoors. Birdwatchers, anglers, off road bikers and walkers are all catered for. Though an artificial creation, the way the reservoir has developed over the past 80 years has gives it a semblance to a natural lake. Certainly its setting on the edge of Bowland and close to Gisburn Forest is pleasing on the eye. The round reservoir walk is an excellent trail, clearly waymarked and easy to follow. Moreover the paths are well managed by United Utilities so that there has been extensive upgrading over areas of boggy ground. What better way to spend a midsummer’s day than to do a circuit of this delightful sheet of water.
Start: School Lane Car park.
From Junction 31 M6 take the A59 to Clitheroe. In Clitheroe follow signs for Waddington, then Newton and Slaidburn. At Slaidburn take B6478 towards Long Preston. After 2 ½ m turn left at a cross roads. School Lane car park is on the left about 1000m beyond Dalehead Church.
Summary: Distance 13k 8 miles
Time: 3 ½ - 4 ½ hours
Terrain: Easy with two pronounced gradients. Some parts of the trail have yet to be up graded and so may be boggy after wet weather.
Map by kind permission of the Blackpool Gazette
Directions: You can walk clockwise or anti clockwise. The official guide takes you on an anti clockwise route and this struck us as the most scenic way. Moreover the two uphill sections come early in the walk. So facing the reservoir take the track leading from the right hand corner of the car park. Now follow the waymark posts all the way around the reservoir. End of directions! In the unlikely event of a party of marauding vandals uprooting every post we will now provide a little more detail.
The first feature on the left worth visiting is a birdwatcher's hide.
Here you'll quickly come to appreciate the importance of Stocks as a site, though it has to be noted winter is the best season from an ornithologist's viewpoint. From the hide continue along a broad track to reach a footbridge over Hasgill Beck.
Once over the trail climbs steadily to the ruin of New House.
Just in front of the building turn left, and after an enclosed lane, the trail breaks out into open pasture. Follow the track as it sweeps down to the River Hodder, the main source of the water in Stocks.
After crossing the bridge the path continues over pasture to a kissing gate.
Through it turn right. For the next section of the walk you will be out of sight of the reservoir as you climb up alongside Copped Hill Clough and then turn left onto a broad track leading around Eak Hill.
Thus far you have been on public rights of way, but as you return within sight of the water you will be following concessionary paths.
The path gradually returns to the shore close to the facility for anglers. Boats are available for hire from the Fishing Lodge which also offers light refreshments.
From the lodge the trail takes a service road which passes through a "Life for Life" memorial forest before dropping behind the imposing Stocks Board House.
Here the way leads onto the dam.
This holds back 12 billion litres of water. At the far end there is a memorial plaque commemorating the opening of the Reservoir in 1932.
To the right of the dam take the service track to the end and turn left.
There are no real route finding difficulties on this leg. Keep ahead on a footpath when the track bears right. As you gain a little height you will have fine views across the water towards the Bowland Fells.
After passing through a conifer plantation the trail leads down to the road.
Turn left for the car park, though a right turn will take you to the lovely chapel of Dalehead - a diversion well worth taking.
Back on the trail continue along the road. After the causeway a path to the left will take you through the shoreline woods back to the car park.
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