Top 7 Lakes around Bickleigh

While large natural lakes are not directly within Bickleigh, the River Exe flows through the village, offering opportunities for wild swimming, rafting, and kayaking, particularly around the Bickleigh Castle estate. For fishing, several dedicated lakes like Bellbrook, Creedy Lakes, and Four Ponds Fishery are popular choices for trout and other fish. Reservoirs such as Kennick and Meldon also offer fishing with permits, alongside peaceful walks.

Yes, Burrator Reservoir is an excellent choice for families, offering beautiful scenery and a quiet road circling it, suitable for walks, runs, or cycles. Meldon Reservoir also has a path running its full length, making it ideal for family walks. Tottiford Reservoir, accessible from Kennick Reservoir, provides public footpaths and picnic spots.

For a unique wild swimming experience, head to Crazywell Pool on Dartmoor. It's a deep, hidden pool known as one of the finest spots for a dip. Additionally, the River Exe, particularly within the Bickleigh Castle estate, offers opportunities for wild swimming.

The area features several interesting historical connections. Sheepstor Dam, part of Burrator Reservoir, is a man-made monument built in 1894 to create the reservoir. Further afield, Shipwrecks of Hooe Lake is a fascinating historical site, often called a 'ships' graveyard' due to the 36 known ship hulks resting there.

Absolutely. Burrator Reservoir is highly recommended for walks, runs, or cycles, with a quiet road circling the reservoir and various smaller tracks. Meldon Reservoir also offers a path along its entire length, perfect for peaceful walks. The route around Sheepstor Dam and the edge of Burrator Reservoir is also delightful and easily accessible for walkers.

Bickleigh is well-known for its fishing opportunities. Bellbrook (Oakford) features five lakes stocked with rainbow, blue, and brown trout, catering to both beginners and experienced anglers. Other popular fishing spots include Creedy Lakes (Crediton) and Four Ponds Fishery (Shillingford, Bampton). Fishing permits can also be obtained for Meldon Reservoir and Kennick Reservoir.

The lakes and reservoirs around Bickleigh are excellent for wildlife observation. Kennick Reservoir is known for its tranquility and birdlife, with birdwatchers often spotting little egrets and great white egrets. Meldon Reservoir is also lauded for its peace, quiet, and excellent birdlife, making it a great spot for nature enthusiasts.

Yes, there are numerous hiking trails in the vicinity of the lakes. For example, you can find routes like the 'Dewerstone, Sheeps Tor & Burrator loop from Shaugh Prior' or shorter, easier options like the 'River Plym – Dewerstone Rock Viewpoint loop from River Meavy'. You can explore more hiking options on the Hiking around Bickleigh guide.

Certainly. The area offers diverse cycling opportunities. For gravel biking, routes like 'Burrator Reservoir and Dam – Shaugh Tunnel loop from Cann Woods' are available. Road cyclists can enjoy routes such as 'Burrator Reservoir – Burrator Reservoir and Dam loop from River Meavy'. More details can be found in the Gravel biking around Bickleigh and Road Cycling Routes around Bickleigh guides.

Visitors particularly appreciate the tranquil atmosphere and beautiful scenery offered by spots like Burrator Reservoir, which is excellent for walks, runs, or cycles. The unique experience of wild swimming at Crazywell Pool is also a highlight for many. The accessibility of paths around reservoirs like Meldon and the historical significance of sites like Sheepstor Dam also contribute to a rich visitor experience.

For a quieter experience, Kennick Reservoir offers a picturesque and tranquil setting, though paths around its southern half are reserved for private anglers. However, you can walk south from Kennick to Tottiford Reservoir, which has public footpaths and picnic spots. Meldon Reservoir is also praised for its peace and quiet, making it an excellent choice for a serene escape.