Meldon Reservoir in 360º

Enjoy a 360 virtual tour of Meldon Reservoir surrounded by steep sided banks, wildlife and lots of nature trails across the valley to follow.

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

I was just passing through even though it was raining I thought I’d get a few shots as I hadn’t been here with the camera. On arrival there is a large car park which is pay & display, with toilets and a map of the area. On a nice sunny day this is a beautiful area to walk around with lots of off-road footpaths, bridleways and old tracks across the valley to follow. From memory once you’ve crossed the dam, turn right following the path along the side of the reservoir you’ll come to a picnic area which offers some great views. Be on the lookout for adders, grass snakes, herons and trout all commonly seen in the area.

There are actually quite a few things to see around here, but the main attractions are the Meldon Viaduct, climbing up to the highest point on Dartmoor to High Willhays Tor then down to Black-a-tor and the Copse Nature reserve which is an ancient woodland like Wistman’s woods. If you like wild swimming you can head down to the Old Meldon Pond (also known as Meldon Pool), a secluded spot under the viaduct.

The area is part of the live firing range so before walking you need to check online for the firing dates and on the day of your walk you should always check for red flags flying from the observation points along the marked range boundaries.

Location/Facts

Meldon Reservoir is located near Okehampton on the edge of Dartmoor, Devon, UK.

Meldon dam has a span of 201 meters and is 45 meters high. It has a surface area of 23 hectares (57 acres) and a capacity of 3,091 million litres (680 million gallons)
Meldon Reservoir is about 1.2 km long and 300 metres wide and 900 feet above sea level.
The reservoir sits between the Upper West Okement Valley and the Lower West Okement Valley.
Construction work at Meldon was completed in March 1972 and the official opening ceremony took place on September 22nd of that year.
The island didn’t exist until the construction of the reservoir and was built as a nature reserve from waste spoil etc.
Meldon viaduct was built in 1874 to carry the London and South Western Railway line over the West Okement valley spanning a distance of 65m and at a height of 46m. Today it is part of the Devon Coast to Coast National Cycle route 27.
Sourton Tors was the Victorian experiment of the Sourton Ice Works, a series of artificial ponds to collect ice in winter for use by the Plymouth fish merchants. The scheme only lasted from 1875 to 1886 because of ice melting en route.
Boating and swimming are not permitted on the reservoir.

History

Things To Do

Black-a-Tor Copse
Fishing – This is a free fishing water with a bag limit of four fish over seven inches. Anglers must hold a current Environmental Agency Rod Licence to fish at Meldon Reservoir
The Granite Way – Cycle Route
Meldon Aplite Quarry (SSSI)
Meldon Viaduct
Okehampton Castle
Old Meldon Pond (also known as Meldon Pool) Wild Swimming
Sourton Ice Works (Victorian Remains)
Tors
- Black-a-Tor
- High Willhays (Highest Point in the South of the UK)
- Rowtor
- Sourton Tor
- Shelstone Tor
- West Mill Tor
- Yes Tor (Dartmoors second highest peak)

Where To Eat & Drink

There are no facilities, the nearest is

The Highwayman Inn (considered England’s most unusual inn)
Bearslake Inn

Getting Around

Mostly firm, but can be at times uneven. Expect it to be boggy in places especially after recent rains up to the Tor and it can get quite windy on the top. As always, remember Dartmoor weather can be very changeable so go dressed for worse conditions than you are hoping for.

Wheelchair access is possible around the lower paths next to the reservoir.

Getting There

Meldon, Okehampton EX20 4LU.

Bus, run regularly to Okehampton from Exeter, Tavistock and Plymouth.
Car, There’s a large car parking area on the north side of the reservoir dam wall. Note that there are public toilets and information boards there. If you are coming from Exeter you cannot get off at the junction you need so will need to go to the next junction and come back.
Cycling
Train, Exeter to Okehampton and onto Meldon on summer Sundays. You can start the walk at the viaduct.
Walking/hiking, around an hour walk from Okehampton Train Station.

Helpful Tips

Once you’ve crossed the dam, turn right following the path along the side of the reservoir you’ll come to a picnic area.
Boating and swimming are not permitted on the reservoir.
It is important to keep all gates shut in order to prevent cross-breeding with ponies from the surrounding area.
The ponies on Dartmoor aren’t wild animals. They all belong to farmers, do not feed the ponies.
Beware of adders, the Uk’s only venomous snake. Though seldom fatal, adder bites can have nasty effects, including swelling, drowsiness, vomiting and diarrhoea, so you should always see a doctor straight away. Adders bite hundreds of people every year, but have caused only 14 fatalities since 1876 (and none since 1975).
Leave no trace, take your rubbish home and leave it how you find it.
Don’t light fires or BBQ’s directly on the grass, always use a rock or a camping stove/bbq with legs so not to damage the ground.
If the weather deteriorates do not hesitate to turn back.
Dogs must be kept on a lead in the presence of grazing animals.
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