Around Agden Reservoir

The weather has been so good that we've been out for a short drive twice this week!  Regular readers will know that we have several reservoirs located near where we live and there's always a lane that we haven't explored that takes us near them with access for walkers to stroll on the paths around them.  We usually start our exploration in Bradfield village, which is an interesting one in its own right.  Bradfield Walkers Group with the support of South Yorkshire Passenger Transport have produced quite a few helpful leaflets for the different trails around the area with maps and information of historical interest and fortunately there are regular buses that go into the village and back along the Loxley Valley route if you don't have a car. 

On our drive we were heading for Agden Reservoir although at the top of the hill we could stop and look back at our own local reservoir, Damflask.

Here there are fields with sheep grazing, sturdy looking dwellings and farm buildings and then there's a stretch of woodland, mostly oak and pines, before you see the reservoir.

Rose-bay Willow Herb flowers are beginning to pop their seed pods.

lots of insects and a few butterflies still about

Here's the retaining wall of the reservoir

and the outlet for water overflow.

On the other side of the reservoir can be seen more woods
 and a rocky escarpment.

Looking down onto the water there appeared to be strange colouration
in the water and I don't know why?

There are plenty of signs by the reservoirs to warn
 people that these deep water resources are dangerous
and not places where you should try and swim.

In the woods along by the reservoir there are signs of the
leaves turning to Autumn colours.

Here you can walk along a path and see the reservoir below.

Along the way there are huge slabs of rock embedded
into the bank and tree roots. Above is the lane we drove along.

If the gate is padlocked you can climb the steps
to get back onto the lane.

After our exploration of Agden Reservoir on the lane called Windy Bank - although it wasn't windy on this occasion - we went back to Low Bradfield and had a drink in The Schoolrooms Café.  As you can imagine, it was once Low Bradfield's village school and is now a popular refreshment place and gift shop. The school was built to replace one on a different site that was washed away in the tragic Sheffield Flood of 1864. More about that here.

As it was late morning there were many people sitting outside and young families playing in the children's area so I didn't take many photos.  The one below is from when we've been there before.

Upstairs was empty so I took a photo.  It's a popular venue for birthday parties.

These paintings on display are for sale.  The style is distinctive and done by a local artist.

Time to go back home by Damflask Reservoir.

We had already been that way earlier in the week as I wanted to go back to Agden Beck (the stream that runs down from Agden Reservoir and situated in Low Bradfield), look at the buildings there and be reminded of their history.   

Bradfield Dale: around Agden Reservoir

There are many walks and trails around Bradfield Dale and yesterday we decided to follow the route around Agden Reservoir starting in the top lane of High Bradfield village. 

purple heather, rose bay willow herb and a few thistles add a touch of colour

The winding lane passes rocky escarpments, plantations and pasture to the north east and farmland to the south before descending down towards Agden Reservoir and Low Bradfield. It's possible to walk through Roacher Plantation and on to the moorland beyond Roacher Rocks.

pine cones and flowering cranes bill

Agden Reservoir was completed in 1869 and takes its name from 'agden' which means 'valley of the oak trees'.  It holds 560 million gallons of water.

After passing through the wooded lanes of Lower Bradfield we stopped at the Strines Inn which overlooks the Strines Reservoir and is sheltered by trees and hilly moorland. Originally a manor house it was built in 1275 for the Worrall family (another branch lived in the village of Ughill on the other side of the valley).  Most of the present day structure is 16th century and it was leased out as an inn during the 18th century when the track that passed beside it became more important and a charge (toll) was paid to use it.  It got its name from an Old English word meaning the meeting of water. 

These days the inn has become well known for the large number of peacocks that wander around the grounds.