Bewl Water

Location

Bewl Water is owned by Southern Water Services. It is located in the Weald of Sussex and Kent. Bewl Water lies in the triangle of land formed by roads which link the villages of Wadhurst, Lamberhurst and Ticehurst. 

Facts

• The Bewl Reservoir site is 1200 acres in size.

• The area of water is 770 acres.

• The length of the shoreline is 15 miles.

• The reservoir holds 6900 million gallons of water when it is full.

• The deepest part of the reservoir is 29.5 metres deep.

• The dam is 900 metres long.

• The reservoir was completed in 1975, taking 2 years to build.

• The total cost of the reservoir and all its facilities was £6.9 million.

• No swimming is allowed at Bewl Water because the water is cold and deep.

Facilities at the reservoir

1. Birdwatching. See kestrels, owls, woodpeckers, wrens, robins, thrushes, dunnock and blackbirds.
2. Nature Study. There is a lot of plant life in Bewl Water providing homes for butterflies, badgers, foxes, hares. There are many flowers such as bluebells, anemones, campions, foxgloves and primroses.
3. Sailing. Bewl Water has a sailing club (Bewl Valley Sailing Club) with over 4000 members. Members learn how to sail boats and take part in competitions.
4. Trout Fishing. More than 18,000 anglers are attracted to Bewl Water every year during the fishing season to catch brown and rainbow trout. There are competitions as well. People can either fish from a boat or from the shores of the reservoir.
5. Picnicking. There are plenty of good sites for people who visit Bewl Water to have picnic lunches while they are walking round either one of the two designated waking trails.
6. Canoeing. The Bewl Bridge Canoe Club has more than 40 members . Members have instruction and take part in regattas.
7. Diving. There are three areas of the reservoir which are suitable for diving (by the Draw-Off Tower, Dunster's Bay and Hook Strait). People can learn how to dive within a safe environment.
8. Education. Bewl Water is a popular site for children to visit to learn about the operational aspects of a reservoir as well as getting first hand experience of a reservoir. 
9. Windsurfing. Courses are available for beginners to learn how to windsurf as well as facilities being available for the more experienced windsurfer.
10. Boat trips. The Frances Mary is a restored 1922 ferryboat carrying up to 74 passengers. Trips round the reservoir are available.
11. Walking. There are walk ways round the perimeter of Bewl Water. The walk is about 13 miles and takes approximately 6 hours.
12. Riding. Experienced riders can hire a horse and ride round the bridleways.
13. Cycling. Bikes can be hired to cycle round Bewl Water.
14. Rowing. There are more than 50 members in the Bewl Bridge Rowing Club, which have regattas and take part in competitions.
15. Visitor's Centre. There is a Visitor's Centre with displays to tell people about the reservoir and the history of the site.
16. Restaurant. There is a restaurant in the Visitor's Centre for people wishing to buy meals or snacks.
17. Gift Shop. For all your souvenirs.
18. Children's Play Area. To keep young children amused there are slides, swings and other equipment.
19. Special Event Days. The Visitor's Centre organises days where people can try out water sports and other activities to see if they like them.
20. Special Events. Sometimes there are special events like music festivals or fireworks.

Bewl Water from the air

Divers at Bewl Water

Walkers at Bewl Water