Cropston Reservoir
Enjoy a waterside walk along this pretty reservoir in the Charnwood Forest area of Leicestershire. It's about a 3.5 mile walk around the water with nice views of the surrounding countryside and woodland. You can also look out for a variety of water loving wildlife on the lake. Keep your eyes peeled for tufted duck, cormorant, great crested grebe and canada goose.
There's a car park at the north western end of the water on Roecliffe Road. From here you can pick up the nice surfaced footpath which will take you along the western side of the reservoir to the boat house. You can follow footpaths all the way around the reservoir with a visit to the little village of Cropston on the eastern side. The last half mile from Cropston back to the car park follows pavements along Reservoir Road and Roecliffe Road.
The route includes a section through the adjacent Bradgate Country Park where you can look out for the resident deer.
There's lots of good options if you would like to extend your walk. You could further explore the parkland and woodland of the 830 acre Bradgate Park or head north and visit Swithland Woods and Swithland Reservoir.
The Charnwood Forest circular walk also passes the reservoir so you could pick this up and head to the second highest point in the county at Beacon Hill.
Postcode
LE7 7HQ - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsCropston Reservoir Ordnance Survey Map 
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Cropston Reservoir Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Cropston Reservoir OS Map 
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Cropston Reservoir Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Explore the Area with Google Street View 
Pubs/Cafes
On the western side of the lake there's the Deer Barn Tea Room at Bradgate Park. They serve hot and cold drinks, ice creams, cake, sandwiches and hot food. There is indoor and outdoor seating.
About a mile north of the reservoir you'll find the pretty village of Swithland and the Griffin Inn. They do good food and have a covered outdoor area which can be used rain or shine. There's a stylish interior too with with exposed beams and stone walls. In 2019 they were voted pub of the year in the Leicestershire Tourism and Hospitality Awards. You can find the pub at postcode LE12 8TJ.
Dog Walking
The reservoir and the surrounding woodland/parkland are a fine place for a dog walk. The Griffin Inn in Swithland is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
The circular Woodhouse Eaves Walk starts from the nearby pretty village. It visits the reservoir as well as Swithland Woods and Swithland Reservoir.
Just to the north of the site there's the pretty village of Barrow upon Soar. There's some nice walks along the Grand Union Canal and a fine waterside pub to visit here.
Just to the south of Bradgate Park you'll find the secluded Groby Pool. The small lake is a good place for wildlife watching and also includes some adjacent bluebell woods. The woodland trust's Martinshaw Wood is located about half a mile south west from here too. It's another peaceful local place for bird watching and easy trails.
The National Forest Way passes through the area. The long distance trail takes you to several of the highlights of the National Forest area.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Leicestershire Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Nice view through the trees and across the green lawn to the reservoir
Looking south-east towards the water tower. Reservoir Road occupies the top of the dam on the left. Opened in 1870, the reservoir is managed by Severn Trent Water and supplies Leicester.
Boathouse and Reservoir. The paths in Bradgate park lead round this reservoir.
Cropston Reservoir dam. The reservoir dam also carries Reservoir Road. Looking along the wall and dam face to the spillway from the small lay-by at the entrance to the water tower.
Boathouse on Cropston Reservoir with Bradgate Country Park beyond
Newton Linford, Bradgate Park spinney. On the western side of the lake.
Deer Barn Tea Room at Bradgate Park. This is located on the western side of the reservoir and a nice place for some refreshments on the walk.
Footpath through Dimmingsdale Spinney. Pocket of woodland at the southern end. Heading east as the footpath emerges onto farmland, with the main bulk of the spinney on the right. The actual public footpath appears to run between the fences on the right.