If you want some fresh air, or even fish and chips overlooking a lake - then here is your spot…read more Here is some information regarding this lake - About the reserve Breeding birds include great crested and little grebe, gadwall, tufted duck, shoveler and pochard. Hobbies often feed over the area in late summer. When the water level falls, the mud attracts waders such as dunlin, ringed plover and green sandpipers. Summer sees large populations of dragonflies hunting over the water. These include ruddy darters and, later in the summer, migrant hawkers. Wintering wildfowl include important numbers of shoveler, gadwall, teal and tufted duck. Goosander, great crested grebe and cormorant also occur in large amounts. The reedbeds are a vital autumn feeding station for reed and sedge warblers prior to their migration. The winter gull roost is a spectacular sight with up to 50,000 or more, mostly of black-headed, common and Mediterranean gull. Chew Valley Lake often attracts rare birds, including osprey, the scarcer grebes, and an American wader or duck appears most years. There is a visitor centre and cafe run by Bristol Water at the picnic site near the dam. The Chew Valley Lake Birding website contains frequently updated news and information on its birds and wildlife, access, maps, and the definitive Chew bird list

Chew Valley Lake is a large reservoir that was created to provide water for Bristol, but is also a…read morepopular recreation area in the Chew Valley just outside the city. It's a great spot for picnics, easy walks, and bird-watching. My only niggle is that you can't actually get down to the lakeside (unless you have a fishing permit, perhaps) - you can only get teasingly close along a parallel pathway. Far busier during the summer (or at weekends and during school holidays), if you venture to the lake on most weekdays you'll find you've got the place virtually to yourself, bar a few retired dog walkers. The lake is a protected area and a 'Site of Special Scientific Interest' because it's home to so many different species and important habitats - including more than 280 species of birds at the last count. There are two well-kept lakeside nature trails. The Grebe Trail is the most accessible of the two, with a hard surface suitable for people with pushchairs or wheelchairs, starting and ending at the wooded picnic area. The Bittern Trail (1 mile circuit), on the other hand, can get a bit muddy in parts in wet weather, although some of it is a raised board walk - and there's a bird hide where you can sit and watch the wildlife over the lake. You can take your dog to some areas, too - although there are lots of ducks around so if it's got the chase instinct (like mine has!) you'll need to keep it on the lead. Back at the car parking areas you'll find a landscaped picnic area and a café with indoor and outdoor seating areas. The café isn't great but it isn't bad either - serving up the usual hot and cold drinks plus snacks, basic meals and cakes. Car parks (free over the winter from October until April - then £1.50 throughout the summer, I believe) close at dusk, so don't get caught out and locked in! Note also that dring the winter the Lake is only open until 4:30pm.

What a way to spend a day, it was wonderful. It was easy access for the wheel chair and my wife…read moreJulie pushed me around all the lakes. The sculptures were fantastic and we enjoyed seeing everyone. My camera was very busy and I took a lot of pics . We stopped by the lake and had lunch , it was so peaceful even with the nature around us. I would recommend this for anyone who is in the area and you wont regret it. You will enjoy it as we did . Allan reid

From the owner: Nestled in 26 acres of Dorset's glorious countryside lies Sculpture by the Lakes, an oasis for art…read morelovers and collectors alike created by renowned sculptor Simon Gudgeon. Simon's vision was to create an environment for enthusiasts that blends nature's beauty with inspiring works of art free from the constraints of enclosed spaces of a traditional gallery. The sculpture park has been carefully landscaped and curated to ensure each piece is positioned to enhance its aesthetic qualities as well as the visual surroundings. We are open from 11am until 5pm Monday to Saturday winter time, and Monday to Sunday summer time. *Please note no dogs or children under the age of 14 are allowed on the premises.*

These six Elan Lakes are altogether around 7 miles long and the whole area is great for walkers…read more Each reservoir has a different character - my own favourite being Penygarreg as it is surrounded more by trees than moorland, and is particularly beautiful. The stone dams and their valve towers are very picturesque. You can see why this area is called the 'Lake District of Wales'!

I reckon the City of Bristol is defined by its rivers (that's right, I found out from a guide on…read moreour boat tour, that there is actually a hidden river that flows underneath the city, called Frome). And the Avon cuts around the city center and creates all these bends and quirks in the landscape, as well as bringing an enormous sense of flow, energy and vibrancy to the City. I massively enjoyed doing a bit of the Avon river walk and would thoroughly recommend heading down to the M shed on a weekend, to get on their River Avon Tugboat ride for £6 per person for 30 mins- it's especially glorious being out on the river on a sunny day. Loved being able to encounter one of the Locks on the river so up-close and personal, and was excited to see there is actually a ferry that runs from Bristol to Bath in the summer months, and so something I might try and do on my next visit. Massive tip o' the hat to Yelper Laura W whose review I highly recommend reading for why the River is called "Avon" - I totally was unaware of that historical nugget and it really make me chuckle to find out about its origins. I had also really liked Yelper Sam G's photos of the Avon river over the suspension bridge walk, but wasnt able to get that view over the Gorge on this visit, so something I will endevour to get to on my next visit here. So lots to see and do on the River Avon in Bristol! Yelp 154/ 2019

The Mighty Avon It…read morecuts right through the heart of Bristol. As some of you might know Bristol used to be a part of the county of Avon which existed between 1974 - 1996. Some people think it still does exist and letters and address' still have Avon listed on them. Anyway the fact that the river avon flows through the city is probably soemthing to do with why the county of Avon was called... well ... Avon! A riverside walk on a sunny day comes highly recommended. If you start out in the City centre, round Bristol Bridge, or futher along towards the Arnolfini then make you way towards the suspension bridge (will probably take around 40 minutes) I can garantee a beautiful walk. There are also some great river side bars and resteraunts to stop off at on the way, when you get to the suspesion bridge walk over it to have the best views of the river and the Avon Gorge.

A beautiful, quite remote lake to visit in the Taf Fechan Valley, though in reality it's only a few…read moremiles north of Merthyr Tydfil. It's a lovely place to walk and the Brecon Mountain Railway runs along part of the east side. The west side is particularly easy to walk on and there are many places to park along the roadside. There are lovely views and it's a bird-watcher's paradise too!

Nailsea Lake is situated between Backwell and Nailsea appromaxly tens miles from Bristol…read more This little lake is charming and well worth a visit during summer time. Families enjoy get togethers with dog walkers and ramblers alike. There is parking available but with only limited spaces however the Backwell Train station is next door with free parking available. The train service from Bristol to Nailsea is great and the station over looks the lake. It takes about 30 minutes to walk around which is fantastic for people with children. The Lake is also not far from Nailsea Town Centre with lots of shopping and dinning available.

This is just such a beautiful walk, especially in the winter after some rain when the falls flow…read morewith such gusto. The waterfalls are amazing and the damp drippy green valley a wonder to walk along. There are pools which are fun to play in in summer. Sgwd Gwladys (Gwladys' waterfall) is about a kilometer from the car park I believe. There is a pub, and there are clean public toilets near the car park. Take sturdy boots if walking in winter as the path can be muddy. Not suitable for wheelchairs.

It's quite amazing to see just how many waterfalls are along this route as you follow the path…read morebeside the river into the wilds. The best place to start the walk is next to the Angel Inn at Pontneddfechan where there is a rocky path which leads you through the woods alongside the River Nedd Fechan. You will need to allow a good hour in both directions and the path is uneven and even dangerous when wet and slippery, so not suitable for everyone (there are several warning signs) and sturdy shoes are a must. You pass an old mill and the entrance to a disused silica mine. Further along, the Nedd Fechan and Pyrddin meet and the path now borders the Pyrddin. The first waterfall to see is the Sgwd Gwladys, a lovely sight. It's possible to climb behind the falls as well though I haven't done this myself! Further along you'll come to more waterfalls including the Horseshoe Falls and the Lower and Upper Ddwli Falls. There are lovely views everywhere of the falls and trees overhanging the river. Well worth a visit.

Even though this is situated within the stunning Brecon Beacons, which is roughly an hour away from…read moreCardiff I would recommend it be a valid tourist spot to take a walk in the wild woods too... It is full of peace and tranquillity and it's an amazing sight for sore eyes I can tell you. This place has a large man-made lake that is surrounded by lush; green mountains, tall trees and forests, and a few, long windy roads. You can hear the bird's twerp and flutter about. Winter is the best light and sight to see this place in, for you see the Ice laid over the water and freezing it up making the water become still so turns into ice. I would say that this is a very ideal for photographers and families or young couples romantically in love to come out walking too. Oh and wear some kind of walking boots or wellies.