Dovestones Reservoir
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  Map sources for Dovestones Reservoir at grid reference SE0103
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Dovestones Reservoir is a reservoir situated above the village of Greenfield, Saddleworth, Greater Manchester, England. While its main purpose is to supply drinking water to the surrounding area, it is also a major tourist attraction, offering several walks amongst picturesque landscapes.
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[edit] Access and Transportation
Access is via the A635 road to Holmfirth. Approaching from Oldham, take Lees Road (A669) from Mumps roundabout and follow signs for "Saddleworth Tourist Attractions". Before coming into the village of Uppermill there is a sharp right turn just past Greenfield Station. Drive through Greenfield and onto the A635 which leads up the hill.
There is parking below the dam wall in a pay and display carpark, or free parking further up at Bin Green Carpark. Both carparks fill up exceedingly quickly and there is little chance of a space after 11am.
There is the 180 bus service from Oldham town centre to Greenfield. It is possible to walk to the reservoir from Greenfield, and instead of walking up the hill you can go along the road that leads to the paper mill - at the roundabout where the A635 joins, take the second exit. The walk is approximately three quarters of a mile.
[edit] Ameneties
There is often a mobile food vendor during summer months selling the usual selection of food, drinks and ice cream. No other facitilites exist apart from public toilets. Greenfield has a Co-Op, and there are many fine pubs in the local area. .
[edit] History and Trivia
Dovestones Reservoir was built in 1967 to collect water from the surrounding moorlands. This received a lot of opposition from the local mill owners who claimed the damming of the river would cut off their water supply. As a result of this, a tunnel was built higher up in the hillside to bypass the reservoir.
[edit] The Name
Local myth has it the reservoir is named after a collection of stones on the skyline that look like a dove. To see these stones, walk along the dam wall towards the carpark and look up the hillside when you come to the corner of the dam wall and the tourist information sign. To the right on the adjacent skyline is a group of small crags that are known locally as "The Indian's Head" due to their resemblance to an Indian's face that is looking upwards.
[edit] Points of interest
[edit] The "drainhole"
Due to the proximity of Greenfield and surrounding houses, the dam wall of Dovestones does not have a traditional spillway to control water height. Instead there is a large bell-mouth overflow in one corner. This looks like a large circular hole.
Next to this, on the dam wall itself is the ingeniously designed emergency overflow. This consists of three metal troughs that when full dump their water onto the other side of the wall where it runs across the road and back into the river below. For this to be activated there would need to be a flash flood of approximately two metres of water.
[edit] The "Life for a Life" Memorial Forest
Started in 1999, this plantation allows people to pay to have a tree planted in the name of a loved one. Currently over 700 trees have been planted.
[edit] The King of Tonga Stone
During a visit in 1981 to attend the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, the King of Tonga paid a visit to Dovestones Reservoir to pick up tips on reservoir construction and design.
To commemorate this visit, a carved stone has been set into the dam wall of the Yeoman Hey reservoir. It is visible when walking along the tarmac pathway between the two reservoirs.
[edit] The Ashworth Cross
Up on Dovestones Moss is a memorial to James Platt, MP who died in a shooting accident.
[edit] The War Memorial on Pots and Pans
From Dovestones Moss and other areas on the far side of the reservoir, look North-East towards the hill known locally as "Pots and Pans". The obelisk-like structure on the top is a memorial to local people who fought in both World Wars.
[edit] Leisure Use
In addition to collecting water, the reservoir is used as a very popular tourist attraction, and is probably the most readily accessible place in the local area.
[edit] Walking
The path around Dovestones is well maintained, gravelled and relatively flat. Leading off the main circular path are others that lead up onto the skyline, off to Chew Reservoir, and up towards the top carpark at Bin Green.
There are no restrictions on cyclists or dog owners, however care must be taken when cycling as pedestrians always have right of way. Dogs must be on leads when lambing season is on as the sheep roam freely about the hillside.
Walking a full circuit of the reservoir can take approximately an hour. It is best to stay on the path and to avoid trying to follow the water's edge as some of the banks are undercut and eroding.
[edit] Watersports
There is a small sailing club which uses the reservoir.
[edit] Climbing
Chew Valley is one of several famous Gritstone climbing areas (along with Stanage) and is often visited by climbers and boulderers who either climb on the crags on the skyline at Dovestones Edge, Wimberry or, or the large boulders dotted about the hillside.
[edit] External links
