Drift Reservoir
This reservoir near Penzance and Newlyn has a nice footpath to follow along the western side of the water. The walk visits the reservoir before heading to the pretty Trewidden Gardens on the eastern side of the water.
The walk starts from the public car park on the southern side of the reservoir, next to the dam. From here you can pick up country lanes and bridle tracks to take you north to Sellan and Skimmel Bridge. Here you can visit the Trewidden Gardens where there's some lovely trees, flowers and ponds to see. After exploring the gardens the route then retraces its steps back to the car park.
You could extend the walk by heading a short distance north east from the reservoir to visit the lovely Trengwainton Gardens.
Drift Reservoir Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Drift Reservoir Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Drift Reservoir OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Drift Reservoir Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
To continue your walking in the area you could pick up the Penzance to Mousehole Walk and the Penzance to St Ives Walk.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Cornwall Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
The Car Park at Drift Reservoir Dam. There is room for plenty of cars here but only one picnic table.
Rosebay Willowherb at Drift reservoir. This Rosebay Willowherb growing near the car park at the Drift reservoir caught my eye.
Drift reservoir on a summer day. Sancreed village can be seen in the distance.
The 65 acre clear water reservoir on a fine autumn day. Fishing for trout (rainbow and brown) is popular here.
This un-named stream which rises on moorland near Men-an-Tol is the main feeder to Drift reservoir.
Trewidden Garden was founded by Edward Bolitho of the Penzance family of merchants and bankers
Pasture on the Trewidden Estate. Looking towards woodland in the valley of the stream which feeds Drift reservoir.
Granite tin moulds in Trewidden Garden. The mould in the foreground would have been used to cast four small ingots of high quality tin, whilst the other would have formed just one larger ingot of lower grade tin.