Bartley Reservoir, reservoir in the West Midlands, England
Bartley Reservoir is a drinking water reservoir in the western part of Birmingham, completed in 1930 to supply the city and surrounding areas. A wide path runs around the entire perimeter of the water, bordered by open green land on most sides.
The reservoir was built in 1930 to meet Birmingham's growing need for drinking water and has been managed by Severn Trent Water ever since. The water it holds comes through the Elan Aqueduct, a supply route built in the late 1800s to bring water from Wales.
A sailing club has been active on the water since the 1970s, and on weekends small boats can often be seen moving across the surface. Birdwatchers also gather regularly along the banks, drawn by the variety of water birds that feed and rest here.
The path that circles the reservoir is open to walkers, joggers, and cyclists and is generally easy to follow. After heavy rain some sections can turn muddy, so sturdy footwear makes the visit more comfortable.
The naturalist and television presenter Bill Oddie visited the site during his early birdwatching years and later mentioned it in his writings. Few visitors today are aware of this connection to one of Britain's best-known nature figures.
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