Alton Water
Follow a mixture of well surfaced and unsurfaced cycling and walking trails around this large reservoir in Stutton, Ipswich. The reservoir is surrounded by lovely countryside and includes a butterfly garden, woodland, a wildflower meadow, ponds and a bird hide. It's a great place for wildlife watching. Look out for golden eye, wigeon, pochard, teal and shoveller. There is also a visitor centre at the start of the route where you can hire bikes.
The lake is located close to Constable Country and the Dedham Vale AONB. You can extend your walking in the area by visiting Flatford Mill on the River Stour where Constable painted some of his most famous works. His birthplace at East Bergholt is also nearby and well worth visiting.
The Suffolk Coast Path also passes the southern end of the reservoir so you can pick up this long distance trail to further explore the area.
Postcode
IP9 2RY - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsPlease click here for more information
Alton Water Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Alton Water Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Alton Water OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Alton Water Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
In the visitor centre there's a decent cafe with good views overlooking the water.
Dog Walking
The lake is a great place for a dog walk so you'll probably see plenty of other owners on a fine day. You are requested to please keep them on leads though. The cafe mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Footpath by Alton Water. Walking around the reservoir is rewarded with ever varying views with many little bays and inlets to be rounded.
Here a little peninsula adds interest, giving the appearance that there are two lakes.
A little bay just east of the Water Sports Centre.
Reservoir dam. Despite plenty of late autumn rain, the reservoir is still showing the effects of the dry summer in this part of East Anglia.
Artificial island for terns on Alton Water. A number of these "islands" have been installed on Alton Water reservoir and have been successful in attracting terns. This photo was taken from one of the hides in Larch Wood on the south shore of Alton Water. In the background is Tattingstone Place
On the dam. The view towards Holbrook, also showing how the ground falls quite gently away from the top of the dam.