Ladybower Reservoir

Ladybower Reservoir The Upper Derwent Valley is situated in the stunning Peak District National Park Ladybower was completed in 1945 to supply an ever increasing demand.
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The history of Upper Derwent

The reservoirs of Derwent and Howden were built nearly 100 years ago to supply the cities of Sheffield, Nottingham, Derby and Leicester. Over 1000 people were involved in building them and were housed in the temporary ‘Tin Town’ at Birchinlee. This resulted in the flooding of the villages of Derwent and Ashopton – when water levels are low, you may get a glimpse of th

e village remains. The settlements of Derwent and Ashopton were abandoned to make way for the reservoirs and the imposing neo-gothic dams were built in the deep valley to contain and control the fast flowing moorland rivers. The valley sides were planted with thousands upon thousands of conifers to protect the steep slopes and the precious water below. What will I find there today? Today the Upper Derwent Valley is a popular visitor attraction with over 2 million visitors per year. The site is renowned for it’s natural beauty and managed by Severn Trent Water in partnership with Peak District National Park Authority. What wildlife will I see? The conifer plantations have been carefully maintained to become vast woodland areas home to the threatened Goshawk. You may also see some of the Red Grouse, Ring Ouzel and Merlin who have made their home on the nearby moorlands of the Dark Peak. Not many people know...

The Derwent, Howden and Ashopton Resevoirs were in fact once the training site of the famous Dambusters Squadron.

A beautiful couple of weeks working with the new volunteers in the Upper Derwent Valley.☀️ ⚒️So far they’ve tried their ...
27/05/2026

A beautiful couple of weeks working with the new volunteers in the Upper Derwent Valley.☀️

⚒️So far they’ve tried their hand at dry stone walling, fencing repairs and fitting a new bench down at Fairholmes. 🦆

☀️Looking for a way to enjoy the warm weather this bank holiday?From Saturday 23rd May to Sunday 31st, Our ‘Move With Na...
23/05/2026

☀️Looking for a way to enjoy the warm weather this bank holiday?

From Saturday 23rd May to Sunday 31st,
Our ‘Move With Nature’ in the nature area is the ideal way to explore the great outdoors while testing your nature-based knowledge and trialling some nature-inspired movements.🌳🤸‍♀️

Our free trail is easy to follow, so can be enjoyed by all ages - just turn up and get started!

Recently Severn Trent marked a special moment at Derwent Dam, donating a replica 'bouncing bomb' from the former museum ...
22/05/2026

Recently Severn Trent marked a special moment at Derwent Dam, donating a replica 'bouncing bomb' from the former museum to the RAF's 617 Squadron.

See the post below for more details about this great event celebrating the amazing 110 year history of Derwent Dam ⬇️

☀️Hot Weather Alert ☀️Although it’s a bit cooler and overcast today, we’re expecting a warm, sunny and busy day few days...
21/05/2026

☀️Hot Weather Alert ☀️

Although it’s a bit cooler and overcast today, we’re expecting a warm, sunny and busy day few days at the Upper Derwent Valley, so if you’re planning a visit please remember...

🏊No swimming - we know the water looks inviting but please do not swim in the reservoirs. There are hidden obstacles, steep drops and very cold temperatures making them unsafe for swimming!

🔥No BBQs or open fires are allowed within the Peak District National Park. Bring a picnic instead!
🐾Keep your pets cool, hydrated and on a lead.

🚰Stay hydrated! There’s a free water fountain at Heatherdene Car Park and water available to buy from Derwent Café.

⛺There is no overnight camping anywhere within the Upper Derwent Valley.

🚯Take your rubbish home with me or drop it in one of the bins provided.

🚗Please only park in designated spaces and do not block any emergency access points.
The rangers will be out and about patrolling the site, if you see them on the boat give them a wave 👋🏼

visitpeakdistrict

We’re aware of concerns about paddlesports at Ladybower and wanted to provide an update.In previous years, paddlesports ...
14/05/2026

We’re aware of concerns about paddlesports at Ladybower and wanted to provide an update.
In previous years, paddlesports operated alongside the fishery. This year, the two are being run independently and, due to a combination of operational factors — including limited parking capacity and the costs associated with running the activity — the paddlesports provider has taken the decision to stop providing paddlesports at Ladybower at this time.

We want to reassure everyone that we remain committed to supporting paddlesports at Ladybower. We’re currently exploring options for a suitably qualified and experienced operator to provide activities over the summer, while we develop a longer term plan.

If you’re aware of any operators who are suitably qualified and have the appropriate insurances in place, we’d be happy to hear from them — please ask them to contact us at [email protected].

We appreciate your patience and will share updates as soon as we can.

14/05/2026

Annnd breathe… enjoy this 30 second break.

Time to pause and reflect..

This week is mental health awareness week..

If you’re struggling with mental health or know someone who is; reach out, talk & get out in nature.🌳🏞️

We know life can be tough sometimes and we want you to know you’re not alone.

If you need support please reach out to some of the charities listed below, both are available 24/7📞

Text SHOUT - 85258
Samaritans - 116 123

After the devastating fires last week in the Peak District our rangers have still being coming across large campfires in...
08/05/2026

After the devastating fires last week in the Peak District our rangers have still being coming across large campfires in the valley.

There is no camping or BBQs anywhere in the Upper Derwent Valley. These campfires can burn underground for weeks and come up in completely different spots, setting fire to roots and creating embers that could spread to the surrounding moors.

If you’re out walking in the Peak District please remember;

• Don’t throw/discard ci******es out of car windows.
Ensure they are extinguished and disposed of properly.

* Don’t leave glass bottles lying around - the sun can magnify through the glass causing a fire.

* Don’t take portable BBQs or gas stoves into the countryside/moorlands. Portable BBQs are banned in many areas of the Peak District - pack a picnic instead.

* Take rubbish home or dispose of it responsibly.

* Don’t start a campfire in the open countryside/moorland

A special mention to the National Trust, Peak District National Park, Eastern Moors Rangers, DFRS teams, local farmers and gamekeepers who were called out to tackle the blaze on the Snake Pass Summit last week.

A little peek of Derwent Dam looking majestic in the sunshine☀️
29/04/2026

A little peek of Derwent Dam looking majestic in the sunshine☀️

On Wednesday 22nd April the fire and rescue service was called to respond to a wildfire on the moors surrounding Howden ...
25/04/2026

On Wednesday 22nd April the fire and rescue service was called to respond to a wildfire on the moors surrounding Howden reservoir.

Fire crews from multiple stations around the area were dispatched around 11am to tackle the blaze that was made more difficult due to high winds.

A collected effort from Eastern Moors Partnership, our rangers, National Trust, and Peak District National Park assisted DFRS and it was later extinguished around 10 hours later.

If you’re out walking in the Peak District please remember;

• Don’t throw/discard ci******es out of car windows.
Ensure they are extinguished and disposed of properly.

* Don’t leave glass bottles lying around - the sun can magnify through the glass causing a fire.

* Don’t take portable BBQs or gas stoves into the countryside/moorlands. Portable BBQs are banned in many areas of the Peak District - pack a picnic instead.

* Take rubbish home or dispose of it responsibly.

* Don’t start a campfire in the open countryside/moorland.

Again a massive thankyou to the Derbyshire Fire and Rescue service and all rangers that attended the scene.

It’s the Peak District National Parks 75th Anniversary🏔️🎉In 1951 on April 17th the Peak District was named the first eve...
17/04/2026

It’s the Peak District National Parks 75th Anniversary🏔️🎉

In 1951 on April 17th the Peak District was named the first ever UK National Park, a place we are lucky enough to call home.

The Peak District is packed full of interesting history, wildlife and some spectacular views🏞️

Come and visit us this weekend to share this incredible milestone🎉🏔️

Address

Heatherdene
Bamford
S330BY

Telephone

01433 650953

Website

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