Scammonden Reservoir

Essential work is being carried out that may affect your visit

From January 2021, important maintenance work will be happening at Scammonden Reservoir. The work will take around 6 weeks to complete, but don't worry, you'll still be able to visit.

During this work, the path will be kept open for most of the time, but there may be some short waits while the working area is cleared to let you pass safely.

We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

Please note: Crult Moor will remain closed for the time being.

Covid-19 update

In accordance with government guidance, our recreational sites and car parks remain open during the national lockdown for people to exercise locally. We ask that you follow the latest guidance to help keep yourself, our key workers and others safe. In the current lockdown this includes:

• Please do not travel to one of our sites if it isn’t local (which the government has defined as the village, town, or part of a city where you live).
• Please only visit to exercise with your household, your support bubble, or to meet one other person.

If you do plan to visit, we continue to request that you are respectful of our sites, staff members, other visitors and local communities:

• Please maintain social distancing throughout your visit.
• Please follow any instructions on signage around the site.
• Please follow designated paths. The paths are there to keep you and our key workers safe.
• Make sure you take any litter home with you and do not light any BBQs or fires.
• If the car park is full, please do not park on verges or on the road as this causes traffic issues and can block important access for operational vehicles or the emergency services.

All of our toilet facilities are currently closed so please be mindful of this when visiting.

Don’t be put off by how close this reservoir is to the M62 reservoir, it is a still a haven of peace and tranquillity. Start the walk round the reservoir at any of our 3 free car parks (please note closing times detailed on site prior to setting off on your walk). The path follows some steep slopes but has no stiles and the steps are optional.

Enjoy wonderful views from the picnic area and rest stops around the reservoir, observing the sailing club bobbing around. If you don’t fancy a picnic, continue into Ripponden (8 miles) or Sowerby Bridge (11 miles) for cafes and restaurants.

Those feeling more adventurous may choose to walk up to Deanhead Reservoir. The walk uphill is hugely rewarding as panoramic views can be observed from the Dam wall.

During construction of Scammonden Reservoir, the village of Deanhead was submerged and many buildings were demolished to make way for the essential Scammonden Reservoir. Scammonden now holds a massive 7.8 billion litres of water, that’s enough to last one person 78 million days.