Grimwith Reservoir
A serene Yorkshire Dales reservoir offering easy walks, abundant birdlife, and stunning natural beauty. Perfect for a peaceful escape.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Peak wildfowl season
Grimwith Reservoir
Best Time
Peak wildfowl season
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A serene Yorkshire Dales reservoir offering easy walks, abundant birdlife, and stunning natural beauty. Perfect for a peaceful escape.
"Lovely place for a quiet 5 mile walk with good views, though bring extra bags for dog waste!"
Binoculars for Birding
Essential for spotting wigeon, teal, and other wildfowl. Enhance your wildlife viewing experience! :bird:
Dog Waste Bags
Bring extra bags! Some visitors found themselves carrying waste for miles due to limited bins. :dog:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Grimwith Reservoir Circular Walk
Grimwith Reservoir
An easy 4-5 mile loop offering stunning views and excellent birdwatching opportunities. Perfect for a relaxing day out.
Wildfowl Watching
Grimwith Reservoir
A prime spot for birdwatchers, especially in winter, with chances to see wigeon, teal, greylag, and Canada geese.
Stony Shoreline Exploration
Grimwith Reservoir
Kids love exploring the stony shores, a fun and interactive way to enjoy the water's edge and skip stones.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Best Time for Birdwatching
Accessibility & Trail Conditions
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Binoculars for Birding
Essential for spotting wigeon, teal, and other wildfowl. Enhance your wildlife viewing experience! :bird:
Dog Waste Bags
Bring extra bags! Some visitors found themselves carrying waste for miles due to limited bins. :dog:
Sturdy Footwear Recommended
Trails can get muddy after rain, so wear appropriate shoes for comfort and safety. :athletic_shoe:
Free Parking Available
Enjoy ample free parking at the reservoir car park, a welcome perk for visitors. :car:
Tips
from all over the internet
Binoculars for Birding
Essential for spotting wigeon, teal, and other wildfowl. Enhance your wildlife viewing experience! :bird:
Dog Waste Bags
Bring extra bags! Some visitors found themselves carrying waste for miles due to limited bins. :dog:
Sturdy Footwear Recommended
Trails can get muddy after rain, so wear appropriate shoes for comfort and safety. :athletic_shoe:
Free Parking Available
Enjoy ample free parking at the reservoir car park, a welcome perk for visitors. :car:
Family-Friendly Exploration
Great for kids to explore stony shores and skip stones. Easy trails make it accessible for most families. :child:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise Grimwith Reservoir for its peaceful atmosphere, lovely views, and the convenience of free parking. The circular walk is considered easy and enjoyable, with good opportunities for birdwatching. However, a significant drawback is the lack of dog waste bins, and the trails can become very muddy after rain, impacting accessibility for wheelchairs.
"Lovely place for a quiet 5 mile walk. Nice easy, well kept tracks.
Only negative….. need more bins for the dog waste. I had to carry a little bag full of excrement with me for almost 5 miles until I got back to the car park."
Adam V
"Not a bad spot for a 5 mile perimeter walk. Well signposted and suitable for buggies as it’s all stony trails. Not quite as spectacular as other reservoir locations perhaps, but the robbers at Yorkshire Water haven’t monetised the car parking yet so it’s more welcoming. Toilets clean and open. Lots of free car spaces."
Chris H
"Plenty of parking in the carpark and a 4 1/2 mile walk around the reservoir. Lots of dog walkers. Says it is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs but probably not after a lot of rain.....too much mud. Good views from every angle."
Rachel Peat
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Grimwith Reservoir is best accessed by car, with ample free parking available at the reservoir car park. Public transport options are limited, making it less accessible for those without a vehicle.
Unfortunately, Grimwith Reservoir is not easily accessible by public transport. It's recommended to travel by car for the most convenient visit.
There is a good-sized car park located at Grimwith Reservoir, offering plenty of spaces for visitors.
Yes, cycling is a popular activity around Grimwith Reservoir, with many enjoying longer trail runs and cycling routes that incorporate the reservoir.
Yes, Grimwith Reservoir can be part of a longer walk or run, sometimes starting from nearby Stump Cross Caverns, offering varied routes.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, parking at Grimwith Reservoir is free, which is a significant plus for visitors compared to some other reservoir locations.
There is no entrance fee to access Grimwith Reservoir or its surrounding walking paths. It's a free public amenity.
Grimwith Reservoir is open to the public year-round during daylight hours. There are no specific opening or closing times.
As there is no entry fee, booking tickets in advance is not necessary for Grimwith Reservoir.
Yes, there are toilets available at Grimwith Reservoir, and they are generally reported to be clean and open.
🎫 🚶 Onsite Experience
The most popular walk is the 4-5 mile circular route around the reservoir, offering varied scenery and wildlife spotting opportunities. 
While some sections are stony and suitable for buggies, the trails can become very muddy and have steep slopes after rain, making it challenging for wheelchairs. +1
Grimwith Reservoir is excellent for birdwatching, especially in winter, with opportunities to see wigeon, teal, greylag, and Canada geese. Lapwings are also common.
Yes, it's a popular spot for dog walkers, but be prepared to carry waste due to a lack of bins.
A sailing club is located on-site, suggesting that water sports are available, though specific details would need to be confirmed with the club.
📸 📸 Photography
The reservoir itself offers beautiful reflections and expansive views. The stony shores and surrounding Dales landscape provide diverse photographic opportunities.
Absolutely. The open water, rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales, and changing light conditions make it a great location for landscape photography.
While not explicitly forbidden, drone usage regulations can vary. It's advisable to check local bylaws and Yorkshire Water guidelines before flying a drone.
Early mornings and late afternoons often provide the best light for photography, with softer shadows and warmer tones.
The entire perimeter walk offers scenic views. Look for areas with interesting reflections on the water or panoramic vistas of the Dales.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
It's worth noting that after rain, the trails can become muddy and challenging, so assess conditions before bringing a stroller or if you have very young children. The open landscape provides plenty of space for children to move around and enjoy the outdoors.
🚶♀️ Hikers and Nature Enthusiasts
+1 Nature lovers will be thrilled by the birdwatching opportunities, especially during winter months when a variety of wildfowl can be spotted. +1 Bring your binoculars for the best experience! The reservoir is also part of longer trail running and ultra-running routes for those seeking a more challenging adventure. While the main path is generally well-maintained, be prepared for potential mud after rain. The area is known for its serene atmosphere, making it ideal for a peaceful escape into nature.
🐶 Dog Owners
The stony trails are generally good for dogs' paws, but be aware that they can become muddy and slippery after wet weather. The open space and varied terrain provide an engaging environment for dogs, and the free parking makes it an accessible outing.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Birdwatching Paradise
+1 The reservoir's wetlands and lowland grasslands provide crucial habitats for these birds, making it a significant site for birdwatching within the Yorkshire Dales.Beyond the winter visitors, the area also attracts resident birds. Lapwings form large flocks in winter, often including birds from northern Europe, before they disperse to breeding grounds in the spring.
The chance to observe these birds in their natural environment adds a unique dimension to a visit, appealing to nature enthusiasts and casual observers alike.For the best experience, aim for a visit during the colder months when migratory birds are most abundant. Early mornings can be particularly rewarding for spotting active wildlife.
Walking Trails and Accessibility
+1 This route is generally described as easy and features well-maintained, stony trails, making it suitable for buggies in drier conditions. While the walk is generally accessible, some reviewers have noted steep slopes and drops that could pose difficulties for wheelchair users.
For those seeking more strenuous activity, Grimwith Reservoir is also incorporated into longer ultra-running and trail running routes, showcasing its versatility for different outdoor pursuits.
Visitor Experience and Amenities
However, a recurring point of feedback concerns the lack of bins for dog waste. Many dog walkers find themselves carrying bags for extended periods, which can detract from the overall enjoyment of the walk.
For families, the stony shoreline provides an engaging area for children to explore and skip stones into the water.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit