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Weir Wood Reservoir

5.28 miles (8.5 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This 280 acre reservoir has a super circular walking path to try. The path runs quite close to the lake along the northern side with country trails to follow around the eastern and southern side.
The western end of the reservoir is a protected nature reserve and bird sanctuary designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Habitats include strips of open grassland, scrub and woodland. Low lying meadows also form part of the reserve. Look out for kingfisher, tern, osprey, teal swifts, swallows and whitethroat.
The reservoir is located just to the west of Forest Row and about 7 miles north east of Haywards Heath.
The Forest Way and the Sussex Border Path both run past the reservoir so you could easily pick up either of these trails if you'd like to continue your walk.
If you head north you'll soon come to the National Trust owned Standen House. The Standen Estate has 100 acres of parkland, gardens and woodland to explore and is well worth a visit.

Postcode

RH19 4HP - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Weir Wood Reservoir OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Weir Wood Reservoir Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

You could head just north of the reservoir and visit the Standen Barn Cafe at Standen House. The 18th-century barn is home to the Barn Café which serves a range of seasonal dishes, and hot and cold drinks. They have nice outdoor seating for warmer days.

Dog Walking

The reservoir and its woodland are a lovely place for a dog walk. The Standen Barn Cafe mentioned above also welcomes dogs outside or in the associated Potting Shed.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

The Forest Row Walk visits the reservoir from the nearby village. It then heads to the northern edge of Ashdown Forest for some peaceful woodland walking. The circular Ashurst Wood Walk starts nearby and heads to the site.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Sussex Walks page.

Photos

Weir Wood Reservoir Dam - geograph.org.uk - 6447

Weir Wood Reservoir Dam. Looking South-East along the dam, you can just see the water works peeking over the top of the dam. The cars and boats visible are part of the active water sports centre.

Woodland along the shores of Weir Wood Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 182661

Woodland along the shores of the reservoir

The outlet tower, Weirwood Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 1701365

The outlet tower. The site is owned bt Southern Water and has a number of activities including sailing which is organised through Weir Wood Sailing Club. There is also a coarse fishery run by Weir Wood Fishery. The Millennium Walk footpath runs from the water treatment works at the reservoir and joins a public footpath along the fence line, with a picnic site offering spectacular views across the water about one kilometre west of the works.

Footpath to Weir Wood Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 624953

Footpath to the reservoir

Blue tits on birdfeeders, Weir Wood Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 3372064

Blue tits on birdfeeders in the nature reserve area at the western end next to the car park.

Millennium Picnic Site, Weirwood Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 3943049

Millennium Picnic Site. Located on the northern side of the lake. There is a viewpoint and information board here.

Flotilla of ducks, Weir Wood reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 1925961

Flotilla of ducks

Grazing sheep above Weir Wood Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 3257512

Grazing sheep above the lake. Gives a nice view of the countryside and fields surrounding the lake.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Weir Wood Reservoir.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Weir Wood Reservoir.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)