Chew Valley Lake is a large reservoir in Somerset, south-west of the city of Bristol. Chew is the largest artificial lake in south-west England (835,000 m²). The lake provides water for treatment and supplies much of the drinking water for the city of Bristol.

Location

When this man-made lake was built in the 1950's, its 1,200 acres (4.9 km²) were flooded with 4,500 million imperial gallons (20,000,000 m³) of pure Mendip water. Chew is relatively shallow, with an average depth of only 14 ft (4 m) at top level and a maximum depth of just 37 ft (11 m). The area it covers was once rich farmland. Several farms and houses had to be removed before the land was flooded, and old roads, hedgerows and tree stumps can reappear when dry summers cause the level of the lake to drop. The deepest part of the lake is down by the Dam and the outlet tower, where the steeply sloping shores of Walley Bank and the North Shore put depths of up to 20ft.

The lake is owned by Bristol Water, who created Chew Valley Lake in 1956 to meet the demand for water by the million or so people who live in the Company's area of supply. Chew Valley Lake has two large landscaped picnic areas. One also has an information centre and indoor tea shop. These amenities were well used throughout the year with the Grebe and Bittern nature trails proving very popular.

Chew Valley Lake is set in an area of outstanding natural beauty in the Mendip Hills, surrounded by unspoilt meadows and woods, and close to the villages of Chew Stoke, Chew Magna and Bishhop Sutton. Working closely with the Wildlife trust and other environmental groups, Bristol Water has created a haven for various species of birds and plants, and a lovely day out for visitors.

The lake is fed by several small rivers including the Yeo and water from the lake flows into the River Chew for 17 miles before it joins the Avon to head out to sea.

Tea Shop

This is the place to rest your legs, enjoy the splendid views across the lake, watch the fishermen and sailors, and sample the delights on the menu. There's an excellent choice, including sandwiches, hot and cold lunches, a children's menu, cream teas, cakes and ice creams. There are two attractively landscaped picnic areas with seating in front of the tea shop, overlooking the lake.

Gifts and Souvenirs

In the gift shop you'll find a good selection of postcards and souvenirs, as well as nature and wildlife books.

Birdwatching

Over 260 species of birds have been recorded at Chew, and the lake is the third most important site in Britain for wintering wildfowl. It is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Protection Area (SPA). From late July to February up to 4000 duck, of twelve different species, may be present, including internationally important numbers of shoveler and gadwall. Some 400 Great Crested Grebe gather on the lake in autumn.

Numerous other birds can be seen, especially during the spring and autumn migrations. Sandmartins arrive early at Chew and can usually be seen hawking over the water for insects in the second or third week of March. Mixed flocks of tits and Marsh Warbler and Reed Warbler forage in the willows, and swallows, terns and little gulls swoop or flutter over the water. A multitude of waders, such as lapwing, dunlin and snipe, are attracted to the muddy shores as the water level drops in autumn. Top End at Blagdon can attract both bar-tailed and black-tailed godwit as well as a section of sandpipers. By midwinter up to 40,000 gulls mostly black-headed and common, may be roosting on Chew Lake. Good numbers of reed and sedge warblers nest in the fringing reeds, along with grebes and coots., Much of the management work carried out in the nature reserve is aimed at encouraging duck to breed and small numbers of tufted, pochard, shelduck, gadwall and shoveler raise broods most years. Recent breeding successes also include bearded tit, water rail and cetti's warbler. A new wedland reserve has been created at Herons Green on the opposite side of the causeway to the lake. A large shallow pool, fringed with sedges, rushes and reedgrasses and surrounded by lightly grazed rough grassland should prove attractive to snipe, lapwing and redshank.

Permits to enter the reservoir enclosure and to use the access road, path and bird hides are only available to members of recognised ornithological and naturalist societies.

Permits may be obtained from the Recreations Department at Woodford Lodge which is open from Monday to Friday in winter (15th October until 1st April) and on all seven days in summer. Blagdon Lodge will also issue permits in summer. You may also obtain a permit by post from Woodford Lodge. Cheques should be made out to Bristol Water plc. Permits run from the first of January (for yearly) or from the first of July (for half yearly). We also sell day permits for visitors to the area. Permits should be carried when you visit the reservoirs.

A site giving information about birds and other wildlife at Chew Valley Lake is CVL Birding

There is also some information at the website of Avon Wildlife Trust

Sailing

The Chew Valley Sailing Club Chew has a large sailing area, approximately 3 km long for Dinghy sailing.

Membership of Chew is limited to 550. Membership runs from April, but applications can be made throughout the year. There is usually a waiting list and new members therefore need to wait until April when it becomes known how many places are available as old members do not renew their membership.

The lake is divided into two areas, the restricted summer area and the full area. The full area can be used throughout the winter and on Sunday afternoons. The restricted summer area applies during the fishing season (mid March to mid October).

The sailing area is marked out by lines of small white buoys. The race marks are red marks with red flags for the numbered marks and white flags for the lettered marks. The numbered marks start at zero at the north end of the dinghy park and go around the periphery of the lake in a clockwise direction.

Fishing

Day and afternoon bank fishing permits are available at Woodford Lodge. No fishing is allowed from the Dams or stone embankments, the Sailing Club, in front of the Picnic Areas and in the Nature Reserve. Care must be taken when fishing from the shore as deep holes and ditches occur around the lake side. There is a fleet of 32 motor boats for hire to fish on Chew Valley. Advance booking is advisable especially on weekends. Life jackets must be worn by all boat fishermen, and these are available for loan on request. Anchoring is not permitted from the Dam to the line of yellow buoys between the North Shore and Walley Bank. No boats are allowed in the area marked by white buoys in front of Stratford bird hide.

Further fishing information and a detailed map see Bristol Water's Chew Valley Fishery Page

A new book on the lake and the life of those who lived there before it was flooded in 1950s has just been published - a small piece about it is available from the Chew Valley Gazette

A Map of Chew Valley Lake is available.