Lopwell Dam in 360º - Ash Blagdon 360º Photography

Lopwell Dam in 360º Guide

Enjoy a 360 virtual tour of Lopwell Dam, a gorgeous place to just chill out or go for a walk through the nature reserve.

Location/Facts History Things To Do Where To Eat & Drink Getting Around Getting There Helpful Tips Weather Sunrise & Sunset Times Tide Times Nearby Destinations

Lopwell dam is a really nice place to chill, paddleboard, kayak or go for a walk. There are many walks you could do here and there are two pub walks. You can cross the dam and head toward Bere Ferrers to the Olde Plough Inn or in the opposite direction head to Milton Combe and The Who’d Have Thought It Inn. If you take the lower walks alongside the river though just beware it can be boggy in places.

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Location/Facts

Lopwell Dam is 3 miles north of Plymouth and 7 miles from Tavistock. A local Nature Reserve covering an area of approximately 5 hectares consisting of several different habitats including saltmarsh, freshwater marsh and ancient semi-natural woodland. Mammals include roe deer, otters and Atlantic grey seals.

The purpose of the dam is less to hold a great deal of water behind it and more to stop salty tidal water going up stream. This makes the river water available to be extracted for the public water supply.
The area is also designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Access to the Nature Reserve (via the ford) is restricted by the tide. Tide tables are provided on both sides of the dam. The dam is navigable up to two hours either side of high tide.
The original dam was constructed in 1953 by Plymouth City Council to create an additional water supply for the city.

History

Lopwell was initially a busy river quay, serving nearby mines.

Before the dam was built, a ferry used to run from one side of the estuary to the other.

Things To Do

Bird watching
Canoeing
Kayaking
Paddle boarding
Swimming
Tamar Discovery Trail
Visitor Center
Walking
Wheal Maristow
Woodland trails

Where To Eat & Drink

Pic-nic
Pump house

Getting Around

If you take the lower walks alongside the river beware it can be boggy in places.
Access to the Nature Reserve (via the ford) is restricted by the tide. Tide tables are provided on both sides of the dam. The dam is navigable up to two hours either side of high tide.

Getting There

Lopwell Dam, Plymouth, PL6 7BZ.

Bus, Take the 55 service (Mon-Sat) from Yelverton (regular connections from Plymouth/Tavistock) to Milton Combe. There is then a half mile walk to Lopwell.
Car, From Plymouth take the Tavistock road, follow the brown signs to Lopwell Dam, indicated by the duck symbol, passing Buckland Abbey. Take care, this road is narrow in places. There is a good size car park.
Rail, Take the Tamar Valley line from Plymouth to Bere Ferrers. Lopwell is a 2 mile walk from the station.

Helpful Tips

Access to the Nature Reserve (via the ford) is restricted by the tide. Tide tables are provided on both sides of the dam. The dam is navigable up to two hours either side of high tide.
Walking the nature trail, you will discover Wheal Maristow, an impressive mineshaft, dating back to the 13th century.
Great for dog walking and the on site cafe is dog friendly.
If you take the lower walks alongside the river beware it can be boggy in places.
Toilets are in the Pump House cafe, so if it’s closed there are none.