GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Ponden Reservoir

2 miles (4 km)

Visit Ponden Reservoir and Ponden Hall on this lovely walk in Bronte country. The hall is said to be the inspiration for Thrushcross Grange, the home of the Linton family in Wuthering Heights. You can follow footpaths from the nearby village of Stanbury to the reservoir. You can follow the Pennine Way along the southern side of the water before heading along a nice country lane on the northern side. It's a lovely spot with the reservoir surrounding by attractive moorland scenery and the Pennine Hills.
To extend your walk you could head south and visit the Bronte Waterfall and Top Withens. The ruined farmhouse is said to have been the inspiration for Wuthering Heights.
You could also pick up the Bronte Way and follow it west towards Watersheddles Reservoir and Dove Stones Moor.
Heading east will take you into Haworth via Lower Laithe Reservoir in Penistone Hill Country Park.

Postcode

BD22 0HR - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Ponden Reservoir OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Ponden Reservoir Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

Just to the east of the reservoir you'll find Ponden Mill which has a nice cafe set in a historic Georgian Cotton Mill. The riverside mill is in a great location and has a good selection of cakes to try. You can find it on Ponden Lane at postcode BD22 0HP for your sat navs.

Photos

Ponden Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 1088764

The northern branch of this V-shaped reservoir.

Access road, Ponden Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 1430067

Car parked on the access road, Ponden Reservoir

Ponden Dam and Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 1256496

View across the dam

Valley below Ponden Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 550875

Valley below Ponden Reservoir. This small channel is the River Worth, as it leaves the reservoir. It is the boundary between Oakworth on the left (north) and Stanbury on the right.

Ponden Mill - geograph.org.uk - 1429991

Ponden Mill. Historic Georgian Cotton Mill located to the east of the lake next to the River Worth.

View over the Worth Valley near Stanbury - geograph.org.uk - 4990785

View over the Worth Valley near Stanbury. Pictured are the green fields to the west of the lake.

Ponden Hall, Stanbury - geograph.org.uk - 1023897

Ponden Hall, Stanbury. A view of Ponden Hall, a possible inspiration for 'Thrushcross Grange' in Emily Bronte's novel 'Wuthering Heights' which she wrote in nearby Haworth. The old hall sits on the southern side of the reservoir.

Ponden Clough Beck - geograph.org.uk - 4412216

Ponden Clough Beck

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Ponden Reservoir.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Share>Save to Files')

Memory Map Route

Ponden Reservoir.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Share>Save to Files)