Leighton Reservoir, lake in the United Kingdom
Leighton Reservoir is a small body of water on the Swinton Estate in North Yorkshire, surrounded by fields and woodland. The water surface covers about 91 acres with an average depth of around 36 feet, and parking is available for visitors.
Construction began in 1908 with earthworks and walls, supported by a narrow gauge railway from Masham to transport materials. The water filled between 1926 and 1927, with final cement work completed in 1941 to finalize the structure.
The name comes from the nearby village of Leighton. The reservoir and its surroundings have become part of how locals and visitors experience this part of the estate, used for fishing and quiet reflection.
A parking area is located near the reservoir where you can leave your car before heading down to the water. From there it is easy to walk around and access the area for fishing, walking, or enjoying the views in comfort.
A narrow gauge railway about two feet wide was built specifically to haul materials to the construction site, then completely dismantled after work finished. This temporary track stretched nearly ten kilometers and left no trace except the finished reservoir itself as a monument to that industrial effort.
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