Whittle Dene Reservoir
Enjoy a circular walk around this scenic group of reservoirs next to Hadrian's Wall. The area is also a nature reserve with good wildlife spotting opportunites.
The walk starts from the roadside parking area in between the reservoirs. You can then follow country lanes, bridleways and a section of the Hadrian's Wall Path around the water. The route runs for just under 4 miles with nice views across the water to the surrounding hills and countryside. The lakes are a popular spot for fishing and also attract various water loving birds. Look out for Great crested grebe, wigeon, lapwing and tufted duck as you make your way around the site.
Postcode
NE18 0LH - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsWhittle Dene Reservoir Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Whittle Dene Reservoir Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Whittle Dene Reservoir OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Whittle Dene Reservoir Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
To continue your walking in the area head west along the wall and then turn south to visit Corbridge. There's a fascinating Roman camp and nice trails along the River Tyne to Riding Mill here. If you head east you can visit the Tyne Riverside Country Park in Ovingham near Newcastle.
To the north west there's a few more reservoirs to explore including Hallington Reservoir and Colt Crag Reservoir. The latter has some nice waterside nature trails with notable wildlife including red squirrels, roe deer, otters and great crested grebes. Just to the north of Colt Crag there's also Sweethope Loughs where you'll find two nice fishing lakes with woodland and waterside paths.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Tyne and Wear Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Culvert at Whittle Dene Reservoirs. Whittle Dene are a series of reservoirs built to serve Newcastle and Gateshead. Seen from Hadrians Wall National Trail
Aqueduct leading to Whittle Dene Reservoirs. This part of an intricate network of watercourses/aqueducts that link Reservoirs at Colt Crag, Hallington and Whittle Dene and all were built in the later part of the 1800s. This aqueduct is taking water to the Whittle Dene Reservoirs. Most of the these aqueducts are open water courses but in some areas tunnels are used to ensure that farming activities can still be carried out
This bridge carries the Military Road B6318 over the causeway and channel between the Great Northern Reservoir and other reservoirs in the Whittle Dene complex.
The Northern Reservoir. Not to be confused with the Great Northern Reservoir which lies on the north side of the Military Road, B6318. A popular destination for anglers and bird watchers.
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Superintendant's House (Horsley). The house was built in 1848 by John Dobson for the Newcastle and Gateshead Water Company. It was built in Tudor style with an octagonal tower. The room in the tower was used as a meeting room by the company directors.
Erosion control on Hadrian's Wall National Trail. Erosion is a serious problem at many points along the very popular Hadrians Wall National Trail. Over many of the wettest sections, flagstones have been laid to assist walkers. Elsewhere, especially towards the eastern end of the Trail, where the Trail runs in a narrow strip fenced off from the adjacent fields, PVC "honeycombs" have been laid down. In this image, honeycombs have been stored by the side of the Trail preparatory to laying them on the path. This view is looking eastwards towards Harlow Hill; to the right of the hedge is the post-Roman Military Road B6318.
This is a view of the Western reservoir
A handy information board at the site. Shows a map of the area and pictures of the various birds you can see here.