Lamaload Reservoir, lake in the United Kingdom
Lamaload Reservoir is a water storage reservoir near the village of Rainow in Cheshire, England, set among open moorland and patches of woodland. It is held back by a concrete dam built with a curved multi-arch design, forming a wide body of water beneath gently rolling hills covered in heather and grass.
The dam was built between 1959 and 1962 to supply drinking water to Macclesfield, though plans for a reservoir in the valley had been discussed for decades before work began. The construction permanently changed what had been an open moorland valley into a managed water supply site.
The reservoir draws local walkers and birdwatchers who come to follow the paths along the water's edge and watch the wildlife that gathers here. The surrounding woodland and open moorland give the area a feeling that is very different from the nearby town of Macclesfield.
The reservoir is reached by marked footpaths, and a small car park nearby makes it accessible by road, though it is not always open. Sturdy footwear is a good idea as the paths can be wet and uneven, especially after rain.
During the construction of the dam, workers found Roman coins buried in the ground, suggesting people had been passing through or using the valley long before any modern settlement. This points to the valley having once sat along an old route through the Cheshire hills.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
