Damflask Reservoir walking for families

This is predominantly a family cycling blog but as active travel enthusiasts, we also like to walk too! 

We had a quiet Saturday afternoon and decided to grab our spreadsheet of ‘free family fun’ things to do and find somewhere relatively local. Damflask reservoir was on our list.

Damflask Reservoir is popular for angling and water sports, but there’s also a great walk around the water’s edge.

It sits just within the boundary of the Peak District National Park, giving it a beautiful countryside setting whilst still being easily accessible from the centre of Sheffield, just 5 miles to the east.

There are actually a number of other reservoirs in the surrounding vicinity so if walking is your thing it’s a good place to visit. These include Agden Reservoir & Dale Dike Reservoir both of which are managed by Yorkshire Water.

There’s no parking at the reservoir however it’s situated just outside the village of Low Bradfield which has plenty of parking and facilities available. The village for us was the icing on the cake and made the day even more enjoyable than we could imagine. The village has fantastic facilities including public toilets, a village hall, The Schoolrooms cafe, a post office/shop, a village field and a play park. It has everything you could imagine to enjoy an afternoon out. 

Where does the walk take me?

We parked outside the village shop and post office (There’s plenty of free parking around) and walked down the hill. You will see a car garage (Smithy Garage at the time of writing). Go past this and down Lamb Lane. This is a small lane so if you are with children please be mindful of passing traffic. Because it’s the route to the reservoir the drivers tend to be mindful of this.

Keep following the road (you will see plenty of people walking back and forth) and you will begin to see the reservoir on the right-hand side. Access is clearly marked and from here you can take the route around the reservoir.

According to the Yorkshire Water website, the route is approximately 3.5 miles and takes between 1 ½ and 2 hours.

What level of walker is it suitable for?

The Yorkshire Water website states the difficulty level as 1 out of 4 and I would agree with that. I was carrying our boy in the baby carrier while our 6-year-old was able to comfortably walk the route.

The terrain is mostly well-surfaced paths, with short sections of pavements and roads. Mostly flat or gentle slopes but occasional stretches of a steeper gradient. There are no steps, stiles or gates on this route which make it possible for all ages.

I believe a beginner walker with a base level of fitness would be able to comfortably complete the circuit.

How much of the walk is traffic-free?

Once you make the reservoir path the entire route around it is completely traffic free. Depending upon where you park (we chose Low Bradfield village) there’s a small journey where you share the road with cars. The amount of traffic, however, is minimal and the drivers seem to understand this is a walking route to the reservoir path so it feels relatively safe.

Would you recommend it?

Absolutely. Damflask and the wonderful village of Low Bradfield is a free day out for a family. The walk is easy to navigate for people of all ages and the village has amenities for you to enjoy.

We went to the village shop and bought ice creams and just sat on the available benches within the village green. Just so simple but enjoyable. We also took the kids to the play park which although small is a nice additional feature to enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a cafe?:

The reservoir itself doesn’t have a cafe however the village store serves hot/cold drinks and food options. There is also a seating area provided outside. Furthermore, Low Bradfield has The Schoolrooms which is in the building of the former Low Bradfield School, which closed its doors to pupils in 1985. This is a popular cafe and Gift shop which also has a small play area outside.

Are there any hills?:

There’s a no real inclines  on the route. Everything is relatively flat or has gentle slopes. They are occasional inclines however they should be ok for someone with a base level of fitness.

What is your favourite part?:

The village of Low Bradfield. It has everything you would want from a village. A couple of cafes, a play park, village green and much more. It’s a brilliant setting and a beautiful village. When walking with children it’s always good to have some facilities on the doorstep and our kids loved the fact we could grab an ice cream and sit in the park.

Is it suitable for Dog walkers?

Damflask reservoir is perfect for Dog Walkers. The routes around it are interesting and there’s plenty for both the dog and the human to enjoy. From our visit, it seems to be an incredibly popular location for those with dogs.

How much is it to park?

The parking in the surrounding area is free on a first come first serve basis. The reservoir itself doesn’t have a dedicated car park however there are plenty of places to park within the vicinity. We chose to park in Low Bradfield village which is just a short walk away.

Last Updated on February 3, 2023 by Ryan