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Aylesbury Vale

Aylesbury

Top 8 Lakes around Aylesbury

Best lakes around Aylesbury are situated in the Vale of Aylesbury, an area characterized by its diverse natural landscapes including the Chilterns escarpment. This region features a variety of lakes and reservoirs, many of which have been transformed into nature reserves or offer recreational opportunities. The water bodies contribute to the area's ecological diversity and provide settings for outdoor activities.

Best lakes around Aylesbury

  • The most popular lakes is Marsworth Reservoir, a lake that attracts anglers, dog walkers, boaters, birdwatchers, and walkers. It offers a relatively easy circular walking route of about 6 miles.
  • Another must-see spot is Walkway Between Grand Union Canal and Startop's End Reservoir, a lake and trail. This trail travels between the Grand Union Canal and Startop's End Reservoir, featuring sitting benches, grasslands, and a birdwatching hide.
  • Visitors also love Path along the Grand Union Canal and Marsworth Reservoir, a lake and trail. This section offers views along a gravel path between the Grand Union Canal and Marsworth Reservoir, often featuring canal boats and reeds.
  • Aylesbury is known for its reservoirs, nature reserves, and fishing lakes. These water bodies provide diverse environments for wildlife observation, walking, and angling.
  • The lakes around Aylesbury are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 60 upvotes and 15 photos shared by visitors.

Last updated: May 16, 2026

Marsworth Reservoir

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The Marsworth Reservoirs act as a magnet for anglers, dog walkers, boaters, birdwatchers and walkers, especially over a sunny weekend, but few ever really venture much beyond the car parks and tearooms.

The walk begins with a flight of locks along the Grand Union Canal, before heading down a stretch of the partially restored Wendover Arm. The route then diverts into open countryside before regaling the walker with a magnificent view of the large Wilstone Reservoir, one of four on this walk.

Here there is an option to enter a bird hide to view the many species who call this water their home at different times of the year. The other reservoirs follow, making this a relaxing six miles of relatively easy walking following a circular route. Allow a good couple of hours to complete the walk, longer if you want to linger.

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Wilstone Reservoir

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Wilstone Reservoir boasts the rare mudwort plant that can be spotted on the mudflats during autumn months as the waters recedes. The site also attracts breeding common terns. There is free parking available.

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This is a lovely trail that travels between the Grand Union Canal and Startop's End Reservoir via a green walkway. In the area you'll find sitting benches, beautiful grasslands and riverboats. Additionally a nearby birdwatching hide provides an excellent opportunity to observe local wildlife.

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View of College Lake

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View of rare UK birds in the famous birdwatching spot. The reserve is a former chalk quarry in Pitstone and is one of the flagship reserves of the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust, and it has an information centre, education facilities, a cafΓ©, toilets and a shop.

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View of Tring Reservoirs

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Beautiful views of the reservoir - usually as still as a duck pond. And if you're lucky you'll see some actual ducks too!

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Tips from the Community

Grace Mulligan
September 25, 2024, Walkway Between Grand Union Canal and Startop's End Reservoir

This is a lovely trail that travels between the Grand Union Canal and Startop's End Reservoir via a green walkway. In the area you'll find sitting benches, beautiful grasslands and riverboats. Additionally a nearby birdwatching hide provides an excellent opportunity to observe local wildlife.

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Beautiful views of the reservoir - usually as still as a duck pond. And if you're lucky you'll see some actual ducks too!

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Great family friendly rides around the lakes, 3 will signed routes of different distance. Great fun πŸ™

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A nice place to stop for a rest (or twitch).

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Tring Reservoirs Nature Reserve comprises four individual reservoirs: Startop's End, Marsworth and Tringford reservoirs are all close together and Wilstone reservoir is a short distance to the west. The reservoirs are home to a variety of wildlife and their reedbeds, wet woodland and open water habitats are a natural stronghold for birds. During colder months, you can find a large number of wintering wildfowl across all four reservoirs, including tufted duck, pochard, teal, gadwall, wigeon and shoveler with occasional goldeneye, goosander and smew if it is very cold. Wilstone Reservoir boasts the rare mudwort plant that can be spotted on the mudflats during autumn months as the waters recede. The site attracts breeding common terns which use rafts the Trust has installed and breeding oystercatchers have been recorded here. Between December and February, Marsworth Reservoir is a great place to see overwintering bitterns, as this site has a fantastic reedbed that retains its water to allow the birds to feed throughout the season. There is a heronry on the bank of Wilstone Reservoir and if you take binoculars you should be able to catch a glimpse of these usually solitary birds in large numbers. If you visit the reservoirs during late spring then you may spot a hobby hunting over the water. The hobby is an African migrant bird that is best seen on warm summer days at the end of May when there is plenty of prey around. You can also occasionally hear the call of the cuckoo especially from the back of the reedbed at Wilstone or Marsworth where you should also be able to hear and see reed warblers. Tring Reservoirs are a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for a number of reasons including their situation on the lower chalk at the foot of the Chilterns escarpment resulting in diverse communities of plants and animals. Additionally, nationally-important numbers of shoveler are present during winter, together with other wildfowl. Large numbers of sedge and reed warblers breed here and Tring Reservoirs are a fantastic place to spot passage waders too.

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The Marsworth Reservoirs act as a magnet for anglers, dog walkers, boaters, birdwatchers and walkers, especially over a sunny weekend, but few ever really venture much beyond the car parks and tearooms. The walk begins with a flight of locks along the Grand Union Canal, before heading down a stretch of the partially restored Wendover Arm. The route then diverts into open countryside before regaling the walker with a magnificent view of the large Wilstone Reservoir, one of four on this walk. Here there is an option to enter a bird hide to view the many species who call this water their home at different times of the year. The other reservoirs follow, making this a relaxing six miles of relatively easy walking following a circular route. Allow a good couple of hours to complete the walk, longer if you want to linger.

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Djl
July 20, 2020, Wilstone Reservoir

Wilstone Reservoir boasts the rare mudwort plant that can be spotted on the mudflats during autumn months as the waters recedes. The site also attracts breeding common terns. There is free parking available.

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View of rare UK birds in the famous birdwatching spot. The reserve is a former chalk quarry in Pitstone and is one of the flagship reserves of the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust, and it has an information centre, education facilities, a cafΓ©, toilets and a shop.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which lakes around Aylesbury are particularly popular for outdoor activities?

The Marsworth Reservoirs, including Marsworth Reservoir and Wilstone Reservoir, are very popular for anglers, dog walkers, boaters, birdwatchers, and general walkers. Watermead Lake in Aylesbury is also a favorite for relaxed outings.

Are there family-friendly lakes around Aylesbury?

Yes, several lakes are great for families. Marsworth Reservoir offers relatively easy circular walking routes. Startop's End Reservoir, with its green walkway and sitting benches, is also family-friendly. College Lake Nature Reserve hosts many events for children, and Watermead Lake is known for its ducks and ice cream shop.

What kind of wildlife can I expect to see around the lakes?

The lakes are rich in wildlife. The Marsworth and Tring Reservoirs are a natural stronghold for birds, with species like tufted duck, pochard, teal, gadwall, wigeon, and shoveler in colder months. Wilstone Reservoir attracts breeding common terns and boasts the rare mudwort plant. College Lake Nature Reserve supports over 1,000 species, including wetland birds and butterflies. You might also spot hobbies and hear cuckoos in late spring.

Are there good places for birdwatching near Aylesbury?

Absolutely. The Marsworth and Tring Reservoirs, particularly Wilstone Reservoir and Marsworth Reservoir, are excellent for birdwatching, especially during colder months when large numbers of wildfowl are present. There's a bird hide near Startop's End Reservoir and College Lake Nature Reserve is a famous birdwatching spot with an information centre.

Can I go fishing in the lakes around Aylesbury?

Yes, fishing is a popular activity. Marsworth Reservoirs are a magnet for anglers. For a dedicated fishing experience, Oakfield Fishery offers high-quality coarse fishing across three lakes, home to Carp, Barbel, Tench, Bream, and more, with amenities like a cafeteria on match days.

What outdoor activities can I do near these lakes besides walking?

Beyond walking, you can enjoy gravel biking and hiking. For gravel biking, explore routes like the 'Pulpit Wood singletrack – View from Whiteleaf Hill loop' or 'Wendover Village Centre – Crong Valley Path loop'. You can find more details and routes in the Gravel biking around Aylesbury guide. For hiking, there are various trails, including easy options around Watermead Lake. Check the Hiking around Aylesbury guide for more options.

Are there easy hiking trails around the lakes suitable for beginners?

Yes, there are several easy hiking trails. For instance, you can find easy loops around Watermead Lake, such as the 'Gazebo at Watermead Lake loop' or the 'Watermead Lake loop'. The Easy hikes around Aylesbury guide provides more details on these and other accessible routes.

Are dogs allowed on walks around the lakes?

Yes, Marsworth Reservoirs are particularly popular with dog walkers, offering a great environment for you and your canine companion to enjoy the outdoors.

Are there cafes or amenities available near the lakes?

Many lakes offer amenities. College Lake Nature Reserve has a Visitor Centre, a coffee shop, and a shop. Watermead Lake features a bandstand where you can enjoy a drink, and a shop selling ice creams and duck food. Oakfield Fishery has a cafeteria open on match days, and tearooms are available near the Marsworth Reservoirs.

What is the best time to visit the lakes around Aylesbury?

The best time depends on your interest. Sunny days are ideal for relaxed outings at Watermead Lake. For birdwatching, colder months (December to February) are excellent for seeing overwintering wildfowl and bitterns at the Tring Reservoirs. Late spring is best for spotting hobby birds and hearing cuckoos. The Marsworth Reservoirs are popular on sunny weekends for various activities.

Are there any lakes with historical or unique natural features?

Yes, College Lake Nature Reserve was formerly a chalk quarry and has been transformed into a thriving reserve with educational displays about its history and geology. Stowe Gardens, a National Trust property, features the historic Octagon Lake, originally designed in the seventeenth century, surrounded by temples and expansive landscapes. Wilstone Reservoir is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its diverse plant and animal communities and nationally important numbers of shoveler.

How long are the typical walks around the lakes?

Walk durations vary. A circular route around the Marsworth Reservoirs is approximately 6 miles and takes a couple of hours. At Stowe Gardens, a family-friendly walk along the lakeside path is about 1.2 miles. Many easy loops, like those around Watermead Lake, are shorter, typically ranging from 2.5 to 4.5 miles.

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Still not found your perfect lake around Aylesbury? Check out the guides of these regions to see even more beautiful places.

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