Maybe because of its name, I'd never been attracted to visit Grimwith Reservoir, which sits on the moorland between Grassington (Wharfedale) and Pateley Bridge (Nidderdale), some 20 miles north of Bradford. It was built in 1894 by Bradford Corporation, one of a series of reservoirs to provide the city with clean water.
It was only when a friend recommended it that I decided to visit and it turned out not to be so grim after all. In fact, with the last of the heather still blooming and the sun shining intermittently, it turned out to be rather lovely, with sweeping views and various points of interest along the perimeter walk.
The reservoir was enlarged and deepened in 1983, which is I presume when the rather brutalist looking 'plughole' (properly called an outlet tower, I think) was added. These structures can be used to drain water in the event that the reservoir gets too full. Not much chance of that at present. The water level appeared to be relatively low, despite recent rainfall.
The building you can see behind the tower is the yacht clubhouse, though since it was midweek there were no yachts or windsurfers out on the water.
Surprising how low the water-level is, though I suppose it'll be replenished in the coming months. Funny how a name can put us off places - never fancied a visit to Worksop.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you went also and enjoyed your visit Jenny, it's the first time I've seen a giant 'plughole', what a good idea, it would be useful in many situations where flooding is a possibility.
ReplyDeleteThe stones in the first photo remind me of sheep grazing.
ReplyDeleteThose big pump housing things in reservoirs can be scary to me.
Where space was tight the 18th Century canal builders built "plug holes" to handle surplus water overflow from the upper to the lower pound. This one is of course much bigger and very handsome! The light shining on the heather-clad hills looks wonderful.
ReplyDeleteIt is lovely around it! Such Views!
ReplyDeleteQuite a locale.
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