In the 19th century Manchester Corporation constructed a dam at the northern end, raising the water level, flooding the valley bottom, and creating a reservoir to provide the growing industrial city of Manchester with water supplies via the 96 mile-long Thirlmere Aqueduct. The reservoir and the aqueduct still provide water to the Manchester area, but under the Water Act 1973 ownership passed to the North West Water Authority
If your searching for a quieter walk in the lakes then this is a must.
LAKE DISTRICT
🅿️Armboth Car Park Keswick CA12 4TW
🥾 10 miles for the full circular but easy to break up into smaller walks
🏔️580M
FACILITIES-Armboth, Dob Gill and Swirls car parks toilets - but closed in Winter, no facilities but Grasmere is the closest with toilets, café, shops
TERRAIN-Some narrow and steep paths, can be boggy in the forest area, otherwise good path walking
Over a hundred years ago two small lakes and a small hamlet were drowned by the building of a large dam at the northern end of the valley.
At the southern end of the reservoir stands picturesque Wythburn Church and a solitary group of houses, all that now remain of the otherwise submerged village of Wythburn. The church contains an interesting exhibition on the history of the area.
The reservoir supplies water to Manchester with a low level circular route to walk around.
Being a circular walk you can start at any of the car parks, Swirls is a popular one with it being a starting point for Helvellyn so we always find the opposite side is much quieter.
There is no swimming in Thirlmere reservoir, options to go to the water and throw stones or emjoy a picnic.
Thirlmere also has a variety of smaller walks in the forest, you can walk up to Harrop Tarn, or if your feeling more energetic to Raven Crag which has amazing views across the water.
There is sections that are also suitable for cyclists so be careful if walking on the road.
MORE DETAILS
https://www.keswick.org/explore/lakes/thirlmerereservoir