Turton and Entwistle Reservoir

Turton and Entwistle Reservoir is a picturesque site just north of Bolton, and is part of my new theme of places 30 minutes drive away.

There is a car park near the dam, of a decent size, but was already getting full by 10 am the February Sunday we were there, and it was getting chaotic by the time we left. However, there is a second car park, Entwistle Upper Car Park, very close walking distance, which may be better.

The reservoir is delightful, and when we visited it there was no wind - the reflections were amazing.

We walked clockwise round the lake, heading west from the car park; the dam is just off to the right in the image below.


This image gives an impression of how cold is was - just above zero.


The reservoir was originally privately owned. It was built in 1832 to supply mills in Bolton. It was later taken over by Bolton Corporation Water Works for general water supply.

Looking up towards the top end.


And then coming back down the other side. Just right of centre you can see a sculpture in the water of a heron.


After crossing the dam, we walked through the car park, and onto a path to the lower reservoir, Wayoh. The path passes underneath the Entwistle Viaduct, which is on the line from Bolton to Blackburn, and was built 1847-48. Entwistle itself is tiny, and yet still has a station.


The viaduct is on a side branch of Wayoh reservoir, and viaduct predates the reservoir ,which was built in 1876. The path leads down to the reservoir; we went left, crossing parallel to the viaduct.


Wayoh Reservoir is definitely not as beautiful, and we only did a short section of it, so not as many photos. 

On the far side of the reservoir is Edgeworth, visible in the distance below.


We only went a short distance along side the reservoir, before heading up the steep, but short, road into Entwistle, going past the Strawberry Duck pub, and then down the other side towards the dam and back to the car park (this road was almost unpassable without waterproof footwear when we were there).

Definitely well worth a visit, but do be wary of parking.

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