Van Miles

We had planned to keep our Dovestone Reservoir walk fairly short with our older dog, sticking to the 2.5-mile circular route. But with such stunning views around the water, we decided to carry on around neighbouring Yeoman Hey Reservoir too.

This added roughly another 1.5 miles, making our walk around four miles altogether. It was a lovely walk, although the path around Yeoman Hey was quite different in places from the wide gravel paths at Dovestone. That’s something I would keep in mind if you’re visiting with a pram or have difficulty walking on uneven ground.

Our walk at a glance

• Distance: Around 2.5 miles for Dovestone, or approximately four miles including Yeoman Hey.
• Route: Circular.
• Parking: We paid £3 for four hours in the main car park.
• Facilities: Toilets, walking information board and an ice cream van during our visit.
• Dogs: Dog friendly, with no stiles on our route.
• Paths: Wide gravel paths for much of the walk, with a narrow, rocky section around Yeoman Hey.
• Rest stops: Plenty of benches around both reservoirs.

Parking at Dovestone Reservoir

We parked in the main Dovestone Reservoir car park OL3 7NE approx 117 spaces. This is a popular walk and good get very busy at weekends. We paid £3 for four hours when we visited in October 2026. There are toilets here, along with an information board showing the different walks you can take.

I always find a board like this useful, especially somewhere with several route options. You can choose a shorter reservoir circuit or head further into the hills if you want more of a challenge.

There was also an ice cream van in the car park when we visited—handy for a treat after your walk!

Binn Green is another parking option, although we didn’t visit that car park ourselves.

Walking around Dovestone Reservoir

The views were stunning all the way around, with the water surrounded by hills and plenty of places to stop and take it all in. You don’t have to climb up onto the higher paths to enjoy the scenery.

Much of our walk followed wide gravel paths. There were lots of benches too, which is useful if you want a breather or simply somewhere to sit and enjoy the view.

We passed the sailing club, although there were no boats out on the water that day.

Following the direction we walked, you reach a point where you can turn right across the dam to stay on the shorter Dovestone circular route. This is the option we had originally planned with our older dog.

Instead, we carried on towards Yeoman Hey Reservoir.

Extending the walk around Yeoman Hey Reservoir

Including Yeoman Hey added approximately 1.5 miles to our walk. We continued along the reservoir, then took the right turn before the second dam to follow the path around the opposite side and circle back.

This is where the terrain changed. The path on the opposite side of Yeoman Hey was rocky and narrow in places, rather than the wide gravel surface we had been walking on earlier.

Based on our experience, I wouldn’t recommend this full extension for prams or anyone who struggles with uneven ground. If you prefer a more straightforward surface, I would stick to the main Dovestone circuit, while still allowing for slopes along the way.

There were more benches around Yeoman Hey, and the views made it a lovely addition to our day.

Is Dovestone Reservoir dog friendly?

We enjoyed this walk with the dogs, and there were no stiles on the route we took. That’s always a bonus, especially with an older dog.

Our original plan was the shorter Dovestone loop, so it was useful to have the choice of turning back across the dam or carrying on a little further.

If you’re walking with an older dog, I would decide on the extension based on how they are managing that day. The distance is one consideration, but the rocky section around Yeoman Hey is worth thinking about too.

We noticed bins at the beginning and end of our walk, with another along the route.

Benches, a memorial forest and other walking routes

One thing I liked was the number of benches around both reservoirs. There were plenty of opportunities to stop, rather than feeling you had to walk the whole route without a break. There is also a picnic area with table/benches.

We also passed a lovely memorial forest, where trees can be planted in memory of loved ones. It felt like a peaceful place for remembrance.

Several alternative paths led away from the reservoir route and up into the hills. These looked considerably steeper, so we stayed with our waterside walk.

Cycling is also allowed on the reservoir route, so expect to share parts of the wider paths with bikes. The narrow, rocky section we encountered around Yeoman Hey is worth bearing in mind when choosing your route.

Would we walk here again?

Yes—the views were beautiful throughout, and I liked having the option of a shorter walk or a longer circuit around both reservoirs.

For us, the main thing to know beforehand is that the Yeoman Hey extension has rougher terrain. The wide paths at the start don’t tell the whole story of the longer route. If you want to stay on a flatter path then do a linear walk past Yeoman and back

Whether you stick to Dovestone or add Yeoman Hey, it’s a lovely place to spend a few hours walking, stopping at the benches and enjoying the scenery with the dogs.