Dovestone reservoir
£20.00
Dovestone Reservoir is an absolute gem on the edge of the Peak District! Think dramatic gritstone cliffs, open moorland views, and beautiful, sweeping waters.
Because it's a reservoir, there is strictly no swimming or wild dipping allowed here (United Utilities are very strict about the hidden machinery and undercurrents!). But as a pure walking route, it’s a brilliant, accessible day out for the Wandering Women crew.
Here is what to expect for our mid-summer walk on Thursday, July 16th:
The Walk & The Views
The Main Route: A lovely, straightforward 2.5-mile (4 km) circular stroll right around the edge of the water. It takes about 1 to 1.5 hours at a chatty pace.
The Level Up (Optional): If the group is feeling energetic, we can easily extend the walk to just under 4 miles by looping around the interconnected Yeoman Hey Reservoir right next to it.
The Terrain: This one is incredibly kind underfoot! It’s part of the 'Miles without Stiles' initiative, meaning it's a wide, well-maintained tarmac and gravel path. There are a couple of brief, slick inclines, but otherwise, it's flat, smooth, and perfect for a social catch-up without having to constantly watch your ankles.
The Vibe & Facilities
The Scenery: You get the best of both worlds here—peaceful water on one side and the towering, rugged edge of Saddleworth Moor on the other. Keep an eye out for the local Peregrine Falcons nesting in the cliffs!
Perks: Unlike the wild fells, the main Dovestone car park actually has functioning public toilets (a luxury!) and usually a very reliable ice cream van waiting at the end.
🎒 The Packing Checklist (What to tell the group)
Even though the path is well-paved, we are right on the edge of the moors, so standard rules apply! Here is the copy-paste snippet for the event page:
📅 Thursday, July 16th — Dovestone Reservoir
🍔 Pack a Picnic: We’ll be stopping at the Ashway Gap picnic area halfway around to eat, natter, and take in the views. Bring plenty of lunch and snacks!
💧 Stay Hydrated: Bring plenty of water. Let's hope for lovely July sunshine, but the moorland breeze can mask how much you're sweating.
👕 Layers & Change of Clothes: No swimming today, ladies, but definitely bring a change of clothes and a waterproof layer tucked in your bag. The weather over Saddleworth Moor can flip from glorious sunshine to a driving downpour in ten minutes flat!
👟 Footwear: Sturdy trainers or walking shoes are perfectly fine for this smooth path—no need for heavy-duty mountain boots unless you want the extra support.
Quantity
FAQ's
Wandering Women FAQs AKA: Things you might secretly want to ask 👀
Do I need to be super fit? Absolutely not. Most of our walks are more “chat and wander” than ultra marathon energy. We stop, breathe, snack, take photos and admire the view regularly.
What if I come alone? Loads of women do! Honestly, after 10 minutes you’ll usually feel like you accidentally joined a group of mates. No woman wanders alone 💚
What should I wear? Comfy clothes, sensible shoes/trainers/boots and always prepare for Britain to offer all four seasons in one afternoon 🌦️
Do I need fancy walking gear? Nope. If you’ve got feet and a vaguely weather-appropriate outfit, you’re already halfway there.
Should I bring food? These are usually full-day adventures, so please bring a packed lunch, snacks and enough water/drinks for the day 🥪🍎💧
There’s often a café stop somewhere along the way because Wandering Women runs partially on caffeine and little treats, but we can’t guarantee shops or places to buy food on every walk.
Top tip: emergency snacks can solve at least 73% of walking-related drama. Scientific? No. True? Absolutely.
What if I’m anxious? You are very welcome here. There’s no pressure to talk constantly, walk at the front, or “keep up” socially. Some people come for friendship, some for quiet company, some because life has been a bit much lately. All valid.
What about water dips / paddling / swimming? Sometimes members may choose to paddle, dip or swim during certain walks, but this is always completely optional.
Please don’t feel pressured to join in just because others are doing it. Listen to your own body, confidence and comfort levels. Water activities are done entirely at your own risk and are not organised, supervised or covered as part of the walk itself.
If you do fancy a paddle or dip, you may want to bring:• A towel• Swimsuit/cozzie• Dry clothes• Water shoes if you have them• A healthy respect for freezing British water temperatures 🥶
Cold water and open water can be unpredictable, so please make sensible decisions for yourself at all times.
What’s the vibe? Think less military hike, more fresh air therapy with accidental life coaching and occasional cake 🍰🌿
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Meeting Us There
If you’d prefer to make your own way and meet us at the location instead of travelling on the coach, you are very welcome to join us for a wander. There is no charge to meet us there, however please note you will not officially be part of the organised coach trip booking.
If You Can No Longer Attend
If you can no longer make the trip after purchasing a ticket, you are welcome to sell or gift your ticket to another person.
The new attendee must:
Bring or show the original booking confirmation email on the day
Complete our online waiver/webform before attending
For safety reasons, we collect attendee information for everyone travelling with us, so we strongly advise forwarding the original confirmation email to the person taking your place so we can identify whose booking they are attending under.
Please note tickets are non-refundable unless the trip is cancelled by us.