The Otterhead Lakes Estate is 233 acres in extent comprising a nature reserve and mixed woodland managed by the Otterhead Estate Trust and the Forestry Commission respectively. Nestling in a valley in the centre of the Blackdown Hills in Somerset, its lakes are fed by the River Otter.
It is exactly 3.3 miles from the junction of the B3170 and A303 to the Otterhead Lakes car park. Take the B3170 through the beautiful Blackdown Hills and cross the Devonshire border into Somerset. Pass Robin Hood's Butts, a series of Bronze Age Barrows, on your left and then keep a lookout, still on your left, for the signpost to Otterford Church. Take this narrow lane which eventually swings right and you will find the car park on your left tucked away behind the trees. If you reach St. Leonard's Church at Otterford you will have gone too far!
On my visit there were only 3 other cars parked with room for a dozen or so more, but although it was a dry day it looked a little muddy in places - care might be needed in wet weather.
I walked down the gently sloping track, through the trees, past the remains of a walled garden and crossed a footbridge leading to the western bank. I made my way to the right up rising ground where I found an information board - I had come across several handily placed ones already - which told me that just ahead was the site of Otterhead House. I could find no remains except a few paving stones and a short flight of steps. The House, built on the side of the valley, must have had a wonderfully peaceful outlook over House Lake. I enjoyed the view for a while and then retraced my steps; the footpath down to the Cascades and Royston Lake will be explored on my next visit.
The Estate and Otterhead House originated in 1817 under the ownership of William Oliver of Kingston St. Mary. It was expanded by William Beadon of Taunton who married into the family. Beadon built lakes and water gardens inspired by Hestercombe House.
The Estate was sold in 1864, after Beadon's death, to Sir John Mellor. The Mellor family enlarged the two lakes and added another five. They also extended the house and created a series of terraced walks.
The Lewis Lloyd family were the next owners, having been forced to move from Nantgwyllt House because of the building of the Elan Valley dams and reservoirs in mid-Wales, a project which took from 1893 to 1906. Under their ownership the Otterhead Estate reached its greatest extent in 1894 following the purchase of two more farms.
Following the death in 1917 of Robert Evans Lewis Lloyd, the grandson of Robert Lewis Lloyd, the Estate was managed by the Public Trustee. Eventually, 1n 1939, the Estate was purchased by Taunton Corporation as a water catchment and is now owned by Wessex Water plc.
Sadly, since it was in such an idyllic location, Otterhead House was eventually demolished in 1951-1952 and of the lakes only House Lake and Royston Lake remain.
For information and photographs of Otterhead House here is a link to The Otterhead Lakes Estate website.
http://e-voice.org.uk/otterheadestate/
It is exactly 3.3 miles from the junction of the B3170 and A303 to the Otterhead Lakes car park. Take the B3170 through the beautiful Blackdown Hills and cross the Devonshire border into Somerset. Pass Robin Hood's Butts, a series of Bronze Age Barrows, on your left and then keep a lookout, still on your left, for the signpost to Otterford Church. Take this narrow lane which eventually swings right and you will find the car park on your left tucked away behind the trees. If you reach St. Leonard's Church at Otterford you will have gone too far!
On my visit there were only 3 other cars parked with room for a dozen or so more, but although it was a dry day it looked a little muddy in places - care might be needed in wet weather.
I walked down the gently sloping track, through the trees, past the remains of a walled garden and crossed a footbridge leading to the western bank. I made my way to the right up rising ground where I found an information board - I had come across several handily placed ones already - which told me that just ahead was the site of Otterhead House. I could find no remains except a few paving stones and a short flight of steps. The House, built on the side of the valley, must have had a wonderfully peaceful outlook over House Lake. I enjoyed the view for a while and then retraced my steps; the footpath down to the Cascades and Royston Lake will be explored on my next visit.
 |
| A pair of Swans winging their way across House Lake at Otterhead Lakes in Somerset's Blackdown Hills. |
The Estate and Otterhead House originated in 1817 under the ownership of William Oliver of Kingston St. Mary. It was expanded by William Beadon of Taunton who married into the family. Beadon built lakes and water gardens inspired by Hestercombe House.
The Estate was sold in 1864, after Beadon's death, to Sir John Mellor. The Mellor family enlarged the two lakes and added another five. They also extended the house and created a series of terraced walks.
The Lewis Lloyd family were the next owners, having been forced to move from Nantgwyllt House because of the building of the Elan Valley dams and reservoirs in mid-Wales, a project which took from 1893 to 1906. Under their ownership the Otterhead Estate reached its greatest extent in 1894 following the purchase of two more farms.
Following the death in 1917 of Robert Evans Lewis Lloyd, the grandson of Robert Lewis Lloyd, the Estate was managed by the Public Trustee. Eventually, 1n 1939, the Estate was purchased by Taunton Corporation as a water catchment and is now owned by Wessex Water plc.
Sadly, since it was in such an idyllic location, Otterhead House was eventually demolished in 1951-1952 and of the lakes only House Lake and Royston Lake remain.
 |
| The view across House Lake to the valley slopes where Otterhead House once stood. |
For information and photographs of Otterhead House here is a link to The Otterhead Lakes Estate website.
http://e-voice.org.uk/otterheadestate/
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