Fernilee Reservoir

Fernilee Reservoir supplies drinking water to Stockport and the surrounding areas. It was the first of two reservoirs to be built in the Goyt Valley, the other being Errwood Reservoir.

How to get there

From Buxton, take the A5004 north toward Errwood Reservoir. On the A5004 you will pass a sign showing a road to the left toward Goyt Valley. Take this road, over the cattle grid. The car park is located off the road on the right, just before a bend reaching toward Errwood Reservoir.

Walk

1 Leave the car park and head toward the bend in the road, following it round to the left. When you reach a public footpath sign, take a right to turn off the main road. Follow this path as it heads downhill toward the reservoir. You will head through a gate before reaching the reservoir edge.

2 Continue on this path alongside the reservoir. After about 1 mile, you will reach a gate. Head on through this to head towards the dam. You will reach a parking area, where you should take a left to head across the top of the dam. At the other side of the dam, once you have crossed over the dam, head left at the road.

3 Head on along the road, heading away from the reservoir. The road will turn to the right, but if you take the path just before a signpost on your left, heading into the woods. Pass on through the gate and remain on the gradually inclining path, with the reservoir visible through the trees to your left. After about a third of a mile, you will reach a signposted junction. Head to the left, signed Waterside Walk, to join a path which heads down to the reservoir. You will reach a short boardwalk, which you should cross.

4 Continue on the path and at the next signposts head on toward Errwood. You will head up some steps to a path which climbs away from the reservoir. Head on through a kissing gate and head up the path. You will reach a second kissing gate, which you should head through, then take a left to head down to the road. Cross over Errwood dam, along the pavement, then take the road around to the left, back toward the car park.

Grid Reference: SK 017 758