Chew Valley Lake
Outdoor Activities
Chew Valley Lake is a Bristol Water reservoir and bird reserve: you can walk, picnic and watch birds, but not swim. Fishing and sailing are by permit or club.
A reservoir, not a beach
Chew Valley Lake is a drinking-water reservoir run by Bristol Water, in Bath and North East Somerset. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Protection Area, and more than 270 bird species have been recorded here. Up to 4,000 ducks of 12 species can be present.
Bristol Water is clear about what the lake is for. It says its reservoirs are operational sites where it is never safe to enter the water, and its safety guidance says swimming is not permitted and you should not paddleboard, sail or take part in any water sport on its reservoirs unless you have booked through an authorised club. Launching your own craft is not allowed. The Bristol Water safety guidance has the details.
What you can do
Bristol Water’s visitor page says there are public walks on its property and on adjoining public footpaths, and it recommends the permissive path on the northwestern side of the lake. Its trail guide lists the Grebe trail, 1.2 km on a hard, level surface, the Bittern trail, 1.5 km end to end and partly boardwalk and partly unsurfaced, and a recreational trail of 2.7 km suited to bikes, prams and wheelchairs. Trail details can change, so check the Bristol Water page before you set out.
There are two picnic areas, and Bristol Water lists two restaurants, Salt & Malt and The Woodford. Many areas are by permit only, and watching birds from the hides needs a permit.
Fishing and sailing
The lake is a fly-fishing destination for brown and rainbow trout, and season and day permits are booked through Bristol Water Fisheries. The tackle shop at Woodford Lodge is open daily in the season. Sailing is run by Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club, whose activities are supervised.
Dogs and planning
Dogs must be on a lead at all times. Bristol Water’s visitor page has the latest on access and permits, so check it before you travel.
For somewhere you can paddle, look at the coast instead, such as Clevedon Beach or Brean Beach, and read each page’s tide and mud warnings first.
Where to stay near Chew Valley Lake
Sample dates: 16 October 2026 - 18 October 2026. Adjust below to see live prices for Somerset.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
- Can you swim in Chew Valley Lake?
- No. Bristol Water says its reservoirs are working sites with deep, cold water, hidden machinery and strong currents, and that it is never safe to enter the water.
- Can I take my dog to Chew Valley Lake?
- Dogs must be on a lead at all times, and owners must pick up after them.
- Can I sail or paddleboard on the lake?
- Not as an individual visitor. Bristol Water says water sports should be booked through its authorised clubs, and the Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club runs sailing on the lake.
- Where can I eat at Chew Valley Lake?
- Salt & Malt is at the main picnic area, and The Woodford is a lakeside restaurant at Woodford Lodge. There is also a smaller picnic area.