Clatworthy reservoir

Take a lakeside walk, enjoy a fascinating range of habitats and wildlife and fish for rainbow and brown trout.

www.wessexwater.co.uk Clatworthy reservoir

Situated on the edge of Exmoor National Park, Clatworthy reservoir lies in the Brendon Hills in west Somerset. Undulating hills surround the reservoir, which collects the headwaters of the River Tone, offering a scenic setting for both fishing and walking. The reservoir was created in 1959 by the construction of the concrete dam which spans the valley of the River Tone.When full the reservoir covers 52.6 hectares and contains 5,360 million litres. Water from Clatworthy is treated at Maundown water treatment works and supplied to towns and villages throughout west Somerset and beyond, eg, Bridgwater,Taunton and Yeovil. Clatworthy Wood to the north of the reservoir existed at least two hundred years before the reservoir was constructed. Known then as South Coppice, the wood was part of the Carew family’s Clatworthy estate. The Carew family, which was based at Crowcombe Court, bought Clatworthy estate in 1582 and it once contained one of Somerset’s 250 watermills. Because of safety concerns regarding incidents of dog fouling and lack of supervision by some owners, no dogs are allowed around this reservoir. KEY To Stolford Permitted route Footpath N Northern Road Syndercombe Wood Wood

Clatworthy Wood

Iron Age Hill Fort

S Fish farm Y N (no public access) D Dam E R C O M B E L A N E To Clatworthy

H O E L N LA LA N DS N W C O LO SD SE AY W Huish Champflower

Walking A walk of the entire five-mile perimeter, lasts two and a half to three hours, or you can go as far as you wish and retrace your steps.

Please note that you will find a steep hill and some loose scree shortly after crossing the dam. The wearing of sturdy footwear is advised and visitors must stay on the permitted path as shown on the map above. Ample parking and public toilets are located at the viewing area where visitors begin the perimeter walk. The car park, which remains open throughout the year, closes at sunset. What can you see? Clatworthy reservoir is an important site for wildlife, with native oak woodland and beech and other mixed broadleaf plantations.

The range of habitats makes it an interesting site for plants with flower species that include devil’s-bit scabious, sheep’s-bit and marsh violet.

These plants are also important as food for the larvae of rare butterflies, including the small pearl bordered, silver washed and dark green Silver washed fritillary fritillaries.

The best areas for butterflies are the grasslands north of Clatworthy Wood and on the west side of the reservoir.

The reservoir is an important site for birds and wildfowl and as well as the ubiquitous Canada geese, you may see large numbers of mallard and coot.

Other species may include tufted duck, pochard, great crested grebe, goosander, cormorant and grey herons and the lucky observer could see the white fronted goose or Bewick’s swan. Great crested grebe Resident species include kestrel, sparrowhawk, buzzard, raven, grey wagtail and dipper and, during the breeding season, tree pipit, redstart, wood warbler, pied flycatcher and common sandpiper have been recorded.

Migrants in spring or autumn could include wading birds such as green sandpiper, redshank and greenshank.

As you walk around the reservoir, you will also come across several historic features. To the east of the footpath in Clatworthy Wood you will see the Iron Age Clatworthy hill fort.

Pochard Close to the fishing lodge, Romano-British pottery, tiles and iron slag have been found, indicators of a Roman iron smelting site.

Two former iron mines on the south side of the reservoir, west of the fishing lodge, operated from the 19th century up to the Second World War.

And beneath the surface of the reservoir lie the remains of farmsteads, bridges and a deserted hamlet, drowned when the reservoir was built. Buzzard If you would like to know more about the environment and Wessex Water, please visit our website, www.wessexwater.co.uk

Fishing This 130 acre reservoir provides anglers with fishing for rainbow and brown trout, either from its banks or from a boat. Anglers can hire fishing boats for rowing or alternatively use their own motor (electric outboard only).

While the south bank is considered the best area for fishing, the seven water inlets at Clatworthy are all regarded as good spots for Redshank anglers. Good top of the water fishing is available with nymphs while the deep areas respond to sinking lines and flashing lures.

There are facilities for the disabled at the reservoir’s fishing lodge and a Wheelie boat is available for use on the reservoir.

Clatworthy’s Fly Fisherman’s Association fishes out of Clatworthy reservoir and information about the club and its competitions is available on the fishing lodge noticeboard.

For details about fishing at Clatworthy, contact the ranger, Dave Pursey, on 01984 624658. Tufted duck 28Jn 09Pitdo eyldpaper recycled on Printed 2009 June 1278 services design Water Wessex by Designed

Code of conduct For the safety and enjoyment of all please follow our code of conduct:

• remember the reservoirs are for public water supply

• no dogs are allowed except on a public right of way and then on a leash

• please keep to public areas

• do not enter the water unless fishing and remember the water is deep in places

• please keep children safe at all times

• respect the wildlife and do not pick wildflowers

• anglers must purchase a permit and read the rules of the fishery before fishing

• anglers must check behind them before backcasting

• please co-operate at all times with the ranger and enjoy your visit.

For more information call 0845 600 4 600 or visit www.wessexwater.co.uk

Wessex Water, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7WW