Ladybower Reservoir

Reservoir Large Peak District reservoir famous for drowned villages

Ladybower Reservoir in the Upper Derwent Valley supplies water and offers extensive walking and cycling routes; visitors use the damside paths for picnics, walks and reservoir views.

Main image

Ladybower Reservoir is a large man-made water supply reservoir in the Upper Derwent Valley, Derbyshire, England, created in the mid-20th century as part of the Derwent complex. It is one of three major reservoirs in the valley and supplies drinking water to the surrounding region.

The site is notable for its pair of circular concrete overflow shafts - the twin bell-mouth spillways - which are visible at high water and draw interest from photographers and engineers. The reservoir and surrounding moorland provide several kilometres of waymarked walking and cycling routes, and the shoreline is used for sailing and other non-motorised water sports.

Construction work on the reservoir and its dam took place in the 20th century; completion of the impoundment led to the flooding of small settlements in the valley. The reservoir was developed as part of regional water-supply and flood-control works and has since been managed for both utilities and recreation.

The reservoir sits within the Peak District National Park in the Upper Derwent Valley. Nearby settlements include villages in the Hope Valley and the town of Bamford; the area is upland moorland with forestry and gritstone edges surrounding the lake.

  • Bell-mouth spillways: Concrete bell-mouth spillways on the reservoir's eastern face act as visible overflow funnels and are a distinctive engineering feature.
  • Access and trails: Walks around the rim and along the shore form part of long-distance routes through the Upper Derwent Valley with several car parks providing access.
Ladybower Reservoir
Ladybower Reservoir, Upper Derwent Valley, Derbyshire, England, United Kingdom
53.3833, -1.7167

How to Get to Ladybower Reservoir #

Ladybower Reservoir is in the Hope Valley area of the Peak District. It is accessible by car from Sheffield (about 30-45 minutes) and by public buses from nearby towns; parking is available at designated car parks.

Tips for Visiting Ladybower Reservoir #

  • Visit the Derwent Dam lookout early to see the reservoir in morning light.
  • Drive the A57 from Sheffield or the Ashopton turnoffs for the classic dam views.
  • If planning to walk the Upper Derwent Valley, check for cycling events which can close sections of road on weekends.

Best Time to Visit Ladybower Reservoir #

Summer for access and activities; autumn for dramatic skies and quieter paths.

Summer
June-August · 12-22 °C
Pleasant for walks and cycling; busier on weekends.
Autumn
September-November · 6-16 °C
Misty mornings and dramatic colors around the reservoirs.

Weather & Climate near Ladybower Reservoir #

Climate

Ladybower Reservoir's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 0°C to 19°C. Abundant rainfall (1098 mm/year), wettest in December.

Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustSeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
30°
Warmest Month
-8°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (114 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

38 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
95%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

114 mm
Rainfall
6.2 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.9h daylight

February

February is the coolest month with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

85 mm
Rainfall
5.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
9.6h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

91 mm
Rainfall
5.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

77 mm
Rainfall
5.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
13.8h daylight

May

May is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
14°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

72 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
High
15.7h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

60 Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
17°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

80 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
16.7h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

64 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
11° 19°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

69 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
16.2h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 11°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

62 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
11° 18°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

85 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
14.6h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

62 Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
15°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

87 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
12.5h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

107 mm
Rainfall
5.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
10.4h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
95%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

112 mm
Rainfall
5.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.4h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (119 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

40 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
96%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

119 mm
Rainfall
5.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.3h daylight

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