Clatworthy is reasonably well signposted from Wiveliscombe so I followed the country lanes via Langley Marsh, Maundown and the prettily named Huish Champflower: Huish is a Saxon word meaning lands or household while Champflower is the name of the family which owned the lands in the 12th century. It was a slow but enjoyable drive, twisting up and down hills through, in places, very narrow lanes. When I arrived just after midday at the spacious free car park, which is on a hill overlooking the dam, it was very peaceful with only a handful of cars dotted around.
The reservoir, run by Wessex Water, takes its inflow from the River Tone and is 130 acres in area with a capacity of 5,364 million litres. It was inaugurated by H.R.H. Princess Alexandra of Kent on the 6th July 1961. The settlement of Syndercombe, mentioned in the Domesday Book, was flooded on the creation of the reservoir.
Clatworthy Reservoir viewed from the car park. |
The fish farm with its trout ponds below the dam. |
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