Chew Valley Lake

Chew Valley Lake is a large reservoir that was created to provide water for Bristol, but is also a popular recreation area in the Chew Valley just outside the city. It’s a great spot for picnics, easy walks, and bird-​watching. My only niggle is that you can’t actually get down to the lakeside (unless you have a fishing permit, perhaps) — you can only get teasingly close along a parallel pathway.
Far busier during the summer (or at weekends and during school holidays), if you venture to the lake on most weekdays you’ll find you’ve got the place virtually to yourself, bar a few retired dog walkers.
The lake is a protected area and a ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest’ because it’s home to so many different species and important habitats — including more than 280 species of birds at the last count.
There are two well-​kept lakeside nature trails. The Grebe Trail is the most accessible of the two, with a hard surface suitable for people with pushchairs or wheelchairs, starting and ending at the wooded picnic area. The Bittern Trail (1 mile circuit), on the other hand, can get a bit muddy in parts in wet weather, although some of it is a raised board walk — and there’s a bird hide where you can sit and watch the wildlife over the lake.
You can take your dog to some areas, too — although there are lots of ducks around so if it’s got the chase instinct (like mine has!) you’ll need to keep it on the lead.
Back at the car parking areas you’ll find a landscaped picnic area and a café with indoor and outdoor seating areas. The café isn’t great but it isn’t bad either — serving up the usual hot and cold drinks plus snacks, basic meals and cakes.
Car parks (free over the winter from October until April — then £1.50 throughout the summer, I believe) close at dusk, so don’t get caught out and locked in! Note also that dring the winter the Lake is only open until 4:30pm.