Logo
Home

The City of
Chester

Historic Buildings
Castles and
Stately Homes

Gardens
Visitor Attractions
Landscape
Villages and
Towns

Prehistoric Sites

Map & satellite


Ladybower Reservoir



OS Grid Ref:-

Ladybower Reservoir is a large Y-shaped reservoir, the lowest of three reservoirs in the beautiful Upper Derwent Valley in the Peak District National Park.

Ladybower ReservoirLadybower Reservoir

The reservoir was constructed between 1935 and 1943 by the Derwent Valley Water Board, which resulted in the flooding of the villages of Ashopton and Derwent. It was opened in 24 September 1945 by King George VI.

Ladybower ReservoirLadybower Reservoir

There are 3 dams in the Derwent Valley which are famed for their role in the preparation of the Dam busters raids during the Second World War. Due to their resemblance to the German dams the pilots of 617 Squadron used the upper Dams of the Derwent reservoir for training runs. Unlike the upper dams which are constructed of masonry, the Ladybower reservoir dam is an earth embankment with a clay core.

The reservoir is now a popular tourist location the Fairholmes visitors' centre located at the northern tip of Ladybower. Information is available in several formats, including books, leaflets, guides and 3D models. There are interesting old photographs showing the villages of Derwent and Ashopton before they were flooded during the dams construction. Teas, coffees, drinks, ice creams and snacks are also available. There are three small walks of different distances near to the visitors centre, all colour coded and signposted. There are 3 car parks along the way before you reach Fairholmes Visitor centre as well as a larger one at the centre itself which is pay and display.

Peak DistrictLadybower Reservoir

The Derwent Valley Heritage Way runs for a distance of 55 miles and is way-marked with small yellow and purple disks. The route commences close to Ladybower Reservoir, and follows the course of the River Derwent passing historic Chatsworth House and through the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, through the superb scenery of the Derbyshire Dales, to its end point at the confluence of the Trent and Mersey Canal, the River Derwent and the River Trent.

Images courtesy of Rob Bendall


Back to Landscape