South West Lakes Trust

South West Lakes Trust: reservoir management and public access to nature in South West England

South West Lakes Trust is a charity registered in England (Registered Charity No. 1079966, Company No. 03946529) whose work focuses on protecting natural spaces and facilitating public access to the environment, both in and on the water, at the reservoirs it manages in South West England. Its registered office is at Roadford Lake, in the village of Broadwoodwidger, Lifton (Devon).

Reservoirs and managed spaces

The organisation operates across a collection of reservoirs and sites distributed throughout several areas of the South West. In Devon are Roadford Lake, Burrator, Lopwell Dam, Fernworthy, Meldon, Kennick, Tottiford and Trenchford, Venford and Avon Dam. In Cornwall are Argal and College, Colliford, Porth, Siblyback, Stithians, Crowdy and Tamar Lakes. In Exmoor, Wimbleball and Wistlandpound. In Dorset, Longham Lakes and Christchurch Harbour. The organisation publishes information on current reservoir levels.

Activities and services for visitors

The organisation's offer includes activities and camping, as well as fishing, both coarse and trout. In the field of fishing it has the Royalty Fishery. From 16 November 2023, coarse fishing day tickets are only issued through the Catch app, available on the App Store and Google Play, after free registration. The organisation also manages an activity centre at Roadford Lake, another at Wimbleball Lake, a recreation and angling centre at Tamar Lakes and an activity centre at Stithians Lake.

Accessibility, parking and visitors with dogs

Among the services described for visitors are access for all, parking at the lakes and welcoming dogs, with recommendations so that responsible owners can bring their animals to the lakes. Information is also provided on reservoir safety and wild camping.

Cafe, events and spaces for celebrations

Roadford Lake Cafe and Venue is the organisation's catering and events space. The venue is available for hire for weddings and corporate events. The organisation has published opportunities for permanent mobile catering at its Dartmoor lakes and at Wimbleball Lake, in Exmoor.

Volunteering, donations and support

The sustainability of the activity depends in part on volunteering and donations. The organisation offers a volunteering programme with various opportunities and case studies, as well as the possibility of contributing through legacies and memorials. There is the figure of Friend of South West Lakes Trust, with options including an annual parking pass for one or all of the lakes. Donations are allocated, according to the published examples, to purposes such as buying dormouse boxes, native fruit trees, learning resources for schoolchildren or funding a countryside warden for a school visit.

Declared impact and governance

The organisation publishes figures for its impact corresponding to 2025: 2.1 million visits to the lakes, 4,170 volunteer days, 153,800 people who took part in water activities or fishing and 4,484 trees planted in the region. The organisation has a team and a board of trustees, and reports the appointment of two new trustees to guide its work protecting landscapes and wildlife and promoting recreation and wellbeing in the region.

Events and scheduled activities

The programme includes volunteer days and workshops. Among the published examples are a willow clearance and burn day at Roadford Lake, an apple pruning day at the same lake and a Christmas wreath making workshop led by Alison Penno, also at Roadford Lake.

Locations and premises

Main location: Roadford Lake, Broadwoodwidger Lifton, Devon, PL16 0RL

Roadford Lake Cafe and Venue location: Roadford Lake Cafe and Venue, Broadwoodwidger, Lifton, PL16 0RL