Chew Valley Lake, Chew Stoke, Somerset
One for the nature lovers and the twitchers. Chew valley Lake is set in the glorious countryside of the Chew Valley in Somerset and is the fifth largest reservoir in the UK, covering some 1,200 acres.
It’s home to a sailing club and is renowned for the good quality fly fishing, with rainbow trout of 14lb plus recorded and brown trout of a staggering 22lb+. There are walking trails, picnic areas, a play area, visitor centre and café, so it’s a good place to take the family when you all need to stretch your legs.
Over 270 avian species have been recorded at Chew Valley Lake, with breeding birds including gadwall, great crested and little grebe, pochard, shoveller and tufted duck. It’s a pull to winter migrants and when the water levels are lower you can see waders like dunlin, ringed plover and green sandpiper. Listen out for warblers in the reed beds, spot dragonflies in summer. Note that permits are needed to enter the reservoir enclosure, and to use the access road and path, and that most of the bird hides aren’t accessible to the general public.
Anglers can purchase day and afternoon bank fishing tickets and hire boats.
T: 0117 917 7270 All information correct at the time of writing