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High Rid Reservoir

4.5
·47 reviews·Horwich, United Kingdom

A tranquil reservoir offering scenic walking trails and a peaceful escape, perfect for families, dog walkers, and nature lovers.

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Quieter, more peaceful strolls

CrowdLow
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High Rid Reservoir - Image 1

High Rid Reservoir

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Quieter, more peaceful strolls

CrowdLow

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A tranquil reservoir offering scenic walking trails and a peaceful escape, perfect for families, dog walkers, and nature lovers.

4.5
(47 reviews)

"Great little place for a walk, relatively quiet and peaceful even on a sunny day."

Vertical photo
TIP

🚗 Parking Advice

Avoid driving down the 'unsuitable for motor vehicles' road; park nearby and walk the short distance. 🚗

🚶‍♀️ Easy Walking Path

The well-kept path around the reservoir is flat and perfect for a couple of hours of gentle exercise. :athletic_shoe:

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Rating

4.5 · 47 reviews

Type

Natural Feature

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Reservoir Loop

The Reservoir Loop

Full circuit around the water

Enjoy a scenic 2.5-mile loop trail, perfect for a leisurely walk or brisk run. It's generally considered an easy route.

TikTok
Wildlife Encounters

Wildlife Encounters

Water's edge

Keep an eye out for fascinating wildlife, including ducks and even koi carp swimming together!

Instagram
Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland

Surrounding landscape

After snowfall, High Rid Reservoir transforms into a magical spot for building snowmen and enjoying winter fun.

TikTok
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Planning Your Visit

Parking Pointers

While maps might suggest driving directly, the final stretch to High Rid Reservoir is often unsuitable for motor vehicles. Park a short walk away to avoid getting stuck or damaging your car. Reddit

Peaceful Pursuits

Even on sunny days, High Rid Reservoir remains relatively quiet, offering a peaceful escape. It's a great spot for a family or dog walk without the usual crowds. Reddit

Best Times

When
Weekday mornings
Why
Quieter, more peaceful strolls
Crowd
Low
When
After snowfall
Why
Magical winter wonderland
Crowd
Medium
When
Sunny afternoons
Why
Enjoy the scenic views
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

build Olaf with us ☃️🥰🥹😂 #snowday #olaf #frozen #olafsnowman #snowing #deepsnow #frozensnowman #buildolafwithus #fyp #viral #snowman #kids #art #artistic #freezing #bolton #horwich #northwest #snowwarning #ambertaleart
@sharnaleepinder
22.1K likes • 215.3K views

🚗 Parking Advice

Avoid driving down the 'unsuitable for motor vehicles' road; park nearby and walk the short distance. Reddit 🚗

🚶‍♀️ Easy Walking Path

The well-kept path around the reservoir is flat and perfect for a couple of hours of gentle exercise. Reddit :athletic_shoe:

#funday #offschool #HighRidReservoir
reel__marketing
6 likes • 273 views
High Rid reservoir to ourselves 👍
a6jtj
15 likes • 226 views

🐶 Dog-Friendly Fun

A great spot for a family or dog walk, offering plenty of space to roam. Reddit :dog2:

📸 Scenic Photo Ops

Capture beautiful views of the reservoir and surrounding nature. Instagram :camerawithflash:

High Rid Reservoir High Rid Reservoir is a small, stone-sided reservoir located near Lostock Junction, three miles west of Bolton town centre in Greater ManchesterIt is surrounded by walking, running and cycling routesThe 2.5-mile loop trail near Barrow Bridge is generally considered an easy route and takes an average of 1 h 2 min to complete #reservoir, #nature, #lake, #landscape, #water
tahirsidhuofficial
12 likes • 149 views

Tips

from all over the internet

🚗 Parking Advice

Avoid driving down the 'unsuitable for motor vehicles' road; park nearby and walk the short distance. Reddit 🚗

🚶‍♀️ Easy Walking Path

The well-kept path around the reservoir is flat and perfect for a couple of hours of gentle exercise. Reddit :athletic_shoe:

🐶 Dog-Friendly Fun

A great spot for a family or dog walk, offering plenty of space to roam. Reddit :dog2:

📸 Scenic Photo Ops

Capture beautiful views of the reservoir and surrounding nature. Instagram :camerawithflash:

❄️ Winter Magic

Experience a unique winter wonderland after snowfall, perfect for family activities. TikTok :snowflake:

What Travellers Say

4.5
(47 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors praise High Rid Reservoir for its peaceful atmosphere and scenic beauty, making it an ideal spot for family and dog walks. The well-maintained, easy loop trail is a highlight, offering a pleasant couple of hours outdoors. However, some travelers have encountered issues with misleading navigation leading to difficult road conditions near the reservoir.

"Great little place for a walk. Great for family walk and dog walk. Even on a sunny day it is relatively quiet and peaceful.

Directions take you down a road which eventually meets a 'not suitable for motor vehicles ' but you can park car and reservoir is about 200 yards walk up the road. Before you get to the unsuitable part of road it is well sign posted as unsuitable for motor vehicles."

Scott Sumner

"A great place to visit, well kept with a lovely path all the way round. Very flat once you climb up the hill, we spent a lovely couple of hours here and plan to re-visit."

Steven Tallents

"Lovely walk, not difficult to find perfect walk for a couple of hours."

Margaret England

What People Like

Peaceful and quiet
Lovely walking path
Great for dogs and families

What People Dislike

Confusing road access

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

While GPS might direct you down a road marked 'not suitable for motor vehicles,' it's best to park a short distance away and walk the remaining 200 yards. This avoids potential car damage or getting stuck. Reddit

The final approach to High Rid Reservoir is not suitable for all vehicles. It's recommended to park before this section and enjoy a short walk to the reservoir itself. Reddit

Follow directions until you see signs indicating the road is unsuitable for motor vehicles. Park your car before this point and proceed on foot. Reddit

Yes, High Rid Reservoir is surrounded by cycling routes, making it a great destination for cyclists. TikTok

Information on direct public transport is limited, but the reservoir is accessible via walking and cycling routes from nearby areas like Bolton. TikTok

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

High Rid Reservoir is a public space and does not require tickets for entry. Enjoy the natural beauty freely. Instagram

As an outdoor natural area, High Rid Reservoir is generally accessible at all times. However, it's best to visit during daylight hours for safety and enjoyment. Instagram

No, there is no entrance fee to visit High Rid Reservoir. It's a free public amenity for everyone to enjoy. Instagram

While some visitors engage in open water swimming, it's important to be aware of the risks and check local advisories. Instagram

The path around the reservoir is generally flat once you reach it, but the initial approach might be challenging depending on parking location. Reddit

🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience

Enjoy walking, running, cycling, wildlife spotting, and simply relaxing in a peaceful natural setting. It's also a popular spot for building snowmen in winter. TikTokInstagram

The loop trail is approximately 2.5 miles and typically takes about 1 hour to complete at a moderate pace. TikTok

Yes, it's a great place for a family walk, offering a safe and relatively flat path once you're at the reservoir. Reddit

High Rid Reservoir is a dog-friendly location, perfect for a walk with your canine companion. Reddit

Visitors have spotted ducks and even koi carp in the reservoir, offering a glimpse into local nature. Instagram

📸 📸 Photography

The entire loop offers scenic views, but the reflections on the water, especially during sunrise or sunset, and the surrounding landscape are particularly photogenic. Instagram

Absolutely! The reservoir, with its water, surrounding greenery, and open skies, provides excellent opportunities for landscape photography. Instagram

Early mornings and late afternoons offer softer light and potentially more dramatic skies, ideal for photography. Instagram

Generally, photography is permitted for personal use. Be mindful of other visitors and respect the natural environment. Instagram

A standard camera with a versatile lens is sufficient. For landscape shots, a wide-angle lens can be beneficial. Don't forget a polarizing filter for water reflections. Instagram

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