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Are you looking for the best reservoirs and lakes near Manchester? We are here to help!
Sometimes all you need is to step out of the city and straight into nature. Manchester is blessed with quick access to some of the UK’s most beautiful countryside scenery.
There are a plethora of reservoirs near Manchester that are simply waiting to be explored. From the popular Dovestone Reservoir to the rugged scenery of Derbyshire’s Kinder Reservoir, there are plenty of reservoirs and lakes to visit near Manchester.
Whether you are looking for fishing lakes near Manchester or simply a place to escape everyday life and take a walk you’ll find a fantastic lake on this list.
So, are you ready? Let’s discover the best lakes near Manchester!
Heaton Park Boating Lake
- Time / Distance: 20 minutes / 5 miles
If you are looking for lakes in Manchester, Heaton Park is the place to start. The impressive park is one of the largest municipally owned parks in Europe and it offers lots of activities for visitors, including a boating lake!
It’s located in the middle of the park, near the cafe and ice cream vans. It’s a popular spot for afternoon tea since they have some quirky bubbles by the lake.
It’s also a great place to go pedal boating!
You can hire a pedal boat from the desk by the lake for 30 minutes or 1 hour.
They fit up to 4 people and come in two shapes: the ‘normal’ ones and the swan-shaped ones.
It’s also important to note that they are dog-friendly so if you want to take your pooch on it, you can!
It’s a great activity for families and couples. On a nice and sunny day, it’s really worth the trip.
Finally, Heaton Park is easy to reach with public transport. There is a MetroLink stop right in front of the entrance. You simply need to take the tram to Bury.
Sale Water Park
- Time / Distance: 30 minutes / 7 miles
Sale Water Park is a great place to enjoy nature in Manchester. It’s a haven of wildlife and it offers plenty of activities for visitors, including fishing and walking.
The park is located near Sale town centre which is easily accessible by car or with public transport.
It’s also one of the best places in Manchester for SUP and kayaking. You can hire one from the Water Sports Centre or bring your own, you just need to pay the launching fee.
It’s also a nice place to go for a reservoir walk in Manchester or cycling. Again, you can bring your own bike or rent one there.
Please note that this is also one of the rare swimming lakes near Manchester so if you wanted to go for a nature swim, this is for you!
Dovestone Reservoir
- Time / Distance: 44 min / 15.4 miles
Dovestone Reservoir is one of the beautiful lakes near Manchester.
It is situated on the western side of the Peak District National Park within Saddleworth Moor just under 16 miles from Manchester.
It is easiest to drive to this reservoir via the A635. In a matter of no time, you will leave the city behind and be embracing the countryside.
You can also take the train to Greenfield and walk from the station to the reservoir.
One of the best things to do at Dovestone Reservoir is to take a walk.
There’s a lovely 4.1 mile walk (between 2 and 3 hours) that starts at the Dove Stone Reservoir car Park on Bank Lane.
You’ll be taken around the Chew Hills and the moorland of Dove Stone Reservoir.
You’ll pass through gates, over stiles and enjoy stunning views of the rolling hills and the reservoir.
LOCAL TIP: If you are looking for a nice place to have a drink or some food after your walk around Dovestone reservoir, head to Donkeystone Brewing Co.
This is a local brewery where you can sit and have lunch or drinks. The food is delicious and they have very unique beers. It’s a nice spot!
Chorlton Water Park
- Time / Distance: 30 min / 5.5 miles
Chorlton Water Park is another great lake in Manchester.
It’s located in the beautiful neighbourhood of Chorlton. The park offers plenty of activities for visitors, including walking and bird spotting (there are quite a few geese)!
The lake is actually a former farmland that has now been converted into a beautiful park.
You can walk around the looped path and enjoy a nice picnic. There are a few tables and benches which is quite cool.
You can also go fishing there but it has to be at the right season and you will need to buy a ticket first.
Please note that you cannot swim in the lake in Chorlton Water Park.
There is a large carpark so it’s pretty easy to park your car. You will also find toilets and an ice cream van in summer.
Ladybower Reservoir
- Time / Distance: 1 hr 5 min / 27.8 miles
Ladybower Reservoir is a large Y-shaped reservoir located in the Upper Derwent Valley. This reservoir is a bit of a drive outside Manchester but one you’ll be happy to take.
Because there isn’t much public transport in the Peak District with it being so rural it’s again easiest to drive to Ladybower Reservoir via the A57.
During peak summer months you will have to arrive early to enjoy the free bay parking that’s along the roadside of the A57 (Snake Road).
There’s a great five-mile circular route around Ladybower Reservoir.
It will take you on well-maintained paths on a gentle meandering walk with magnificent views.
Turton and Entwistle Reservoir
- Time / Distance: 54 min / 20.3 miles
Entwistle Reservoir is in the small village of Edgworth around 20 miles from Manchester.
Though driving is more convenient it is possible to get to Turton and Entwistle Reservoir by train.
From Piccadilly, you can get the train to Entwistle, the train takes around 50 minutes with one change in Bolton.
If you are driving, you can park at the car park on Batridge Road.
There is a lovely 2.4 mile walk you can do around the reservoir.
The walk mostly hugs the water’s edge before passing through a small area of woodland.
If you are visiting in summer, be sure to bring a picnic and eat lunch by the lake.
Hollingworth Lake
- Time / Distance: 47 min / 18.3 miles
This 130 acre man-made reservoir is in Littleborough in Greater Manchester.
In under an hour’s drive via the M62 you can be at this quaint lake.
You can park at the Hollingworth Road car park (OL15 0AZ).
Having originally been built as a water source for the Rochdale Canal by the 1860’s Hollingworth Lake was used as a tourist resort.
If you are looking for fishing lakes near Manchester this is an excellent one.
You’ll just need to get a permit from the Hollingworth Lake Visitor Centre before you start fishing.
You’ll be in with the chance of catching carp, roach, perch, and bream.
There’s also a variety of watersports to participate in.
At the Hollingworth Lake Activity Centre you can rent kayaks and canoes, as well as go windsurfing and sailing.
Derwent Reservoir
- Time / Distance: 1 hr 13 min / 30.2 miles
In the Upper Derwent Valley in the Peak District National Park there is the Derwent Reservoir.
The reservoir is backed by the historic landmark, the Howden Dam.
To get to the reservoir it’s easiest to drive via the A57 passing through Glossop.
When heading to Derwent Reservoir it’s best to start at the Fairholmes Visitor Centre, also known as the Upper Derwent Visitor Centre.
If you are looking for a nice but moderately challenging walk head out on this 10.6 mile walk which will take around 5 hours to complete.
The trail is open year-round but is particularly lovely in summer and autumn.
This route takes you around the entirety of the lake and allows you to see the castle-like Howden Dam.
Chew Reservoir
- Time / Distance: 44 min / 15.4 miles
The Chew Reservoir is just a three mile walk from the aforementioned Dovestone Reservoir.
The Chew Reservoir is a little difficult to get to by car so walking from Dovestone is your best bet.
Starting at the Dovestone Reservoir car park you can follow the Oldham Way over the Chew Hills and then you’ll reach the reservoir.
The reservoir is a bit of a hike because it’s around 488m above sea level.
Another excellent place to visit nearby is Rob’s Rocks. With stunning views, you will surely find some rock climbers trying some of the challenging routes.
Because Chew Reservoir is a little out of the way, you will find this place is much quieter than many of the other reservoirs on this list.
Kinder Reservoir
- Time / Distance: 1hr 3 min / 20 miles
Another of the best lakes around Manchester is Kinder Reservoir on the western side of the Kinder Scout plateau.
This reservoir was built between 1903 and 1911 and is fed by the River Kinder.
If you are visiting Kinder Reservoir in summer, it is best to plan your trip as this place can become extremely busy.
It takes just over an hour to reach Kinder Reservoir from Manchester.
You can head along the A57, passing by Glossop and through Hayfield before reaching the Kinder Reservoir.
The best place to park is the Bowden Bus Bridge car park.
Nestled below Kinder Scout there is a spectacular walk around this picturesque reservoir.
At 5.2 miles this circular walk starts at the Hayfield Bus Station.
The route passes over kissing gates, a small copse of trees, and wooden bridges. The whole while this walk takes in the beauty of the reservoirs surrounding rolling scenic hills.
Errwood Reservoir
- Time / Distance: 1 hr 3 min / 24 miles
Errwood Reservoir is in the Peak District and just a 10 minute drive outside of Buxton.
Combining a trip to the reservoir and exploring Buxton makes for a great day out from Manchester. To reach Errwood Reservoir head south out of Manchester via the A34.
You can park at Errwood Hall Car Park.
Circular walks are the best for taking in the entire reservoir.
This Errwood Reservoir circular walk is 5.2 miles and is a popular route not only among walkers but anglers and mountain bikers too.
Walk around, enjoying the views and stop off at some of the picnic benches for lunch.
Butterley Reservoir
- Time / Distance: 2 hr 1 min / 72.9 miles
Butterley Reservoir is one of the furthest lakes near Manchester but it’s well worth a visit.
Butterley Reservoir is southeast of the Peak District National Park in Marsden, West Yorkshire, and you can reach it by passing Sheffield on the M1.
If you are searching for fishing lakes near Manchester Butterley is the place to go.
This reservoir is stocked with bream, perch, carp, pike, and roach, making for an enjoyable day’s fishing.
As well as fishing, there’s a short but pleasant walking and running trail.
The Wessenden Moor and Butterley Reservoir Circular is an excellent walk for showing off the area’s beauty.
You’ll be able to see some waterfall-streams along the 6 mile route too.
Gaddings Dam
- Time / Distance: 1 hr 2 min / 24.6 miles
Looking for a beach that’s not by the sea? Gaddings Dam is around an hour’s drive from Manchester and is home to its own little secret beach.
Gaddings Dam was built in 1833 to supply water to the local mill towns. Now the reservoir is a cute little summer spot for escaping to the outdoors.
Gaddings Dam is just under 25 miles north of Manchester.
Most people prefer to drive but if you don’t have a car, you can take the train to Walsden station from Manchester Victoria in under an hour.
Yarrow Reservoir
- Time / Distance: 51 min / 25.5 miles
The Yarrow Reservoir is joined by two other reservoirs: Anglezarke and the Upper Rivington Reservoir. This reservoir is in Anglezarke in Lancashire.
Out of Manchester you’ll need to take the A666(M) and then the M61.
You can park at the Anglezarke Reservoir car park and then walk across to Yarrow Reservoir.
In terms of lakes around Manchester, Yarrow Reservoir is definitely worth the petrol because if you want a long walk you can explore all three reservoirs.
There’s an excellent 4.4 mile walk that covers Rivington, Yarrow Reservoir and Lead Mines.
Whilst taking in the calming surroundings of Yarrow Reservoir and enjoying the ripples of the water.
Lamaload Reservoir
- Time / Distance: 55 min / 23 miles
Located in Rainow, one of the cutest villages near Manchester, this reservoir is a great place for hikers.
It is technically situated in Cheshire but is at the limit with the Peak District, making it a great place for an outdoorsy day trip.
It’s a popular place to visit for people from Macclesfield since it’s very close to the town.
The reservoir is fed by the river River Dean and actually provides water to the town of Macclesfield.
There are a lot of walking and biking routes around the reservoir, making it a great destination for a weekend walk.
It’s also located near Shining Tor, which is the highest peak in Cheshire so if you want to hit two birds with one stone, you can visit both places in a day.
Now that you know everything about the best lakes and reservoirs Manchester area has to offer, it’s time to go and explore.
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