Dovestone Reservoir | United Utilities

Dovestone

Dovestone is a popular spot with tourists and local residents, and because of this it can often cause a strain on the area. Therefore, we have worked with local stakeholders to create an action plan to improve and protect Dovestone. Click the link below to find out more.

It’s beauty attracts walkers, bird watchers, cyclists and nature lovers, and for the more adventurous, there are activities such as sailing and orienteering.

We work closely with RSPB to protect and enhance Dovestone, for example, by undergoing peatland restoration work and also restoring habitats.

Read our Action Plan

Important information for visitors

The footpath along Chew Road heading up to the dam at Chew Reservoir will be closed to all users from May 2025 for around 16 months. The closure is necessary for your safety while we're working on the reservoir overflow channel.

We really appreciate your patience and, where possible, we hope to be able to temporarily open footpath access at the end of each working day and at weekends.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Dovestone

Greenfield, Oldham, OL3 7NE. Tel: 01925 463 065. Open all day, every day.

Dovestone car park

Greenfield, Oldham, OL3 7NE.

Public transport

180 from Oldham Road train station to the Clarence Hotel in Greenfield.

Rules and reservoir guidance

For more information on rules and guidance, click the button below.

Activities and site information

For mobile users, swipe ← left / right →

Peatland restoration	Bird watching	Dovestone Sailing Club	Walking routes	Orienteering
Healthy peatlands can store more carbon per square meter than a tropical rainforest and provide excelent defence against flooding. You can find out more here.	Dovestone is an RSPB reserve with many birds, from Curlew and Plover to Grouse and Peregrine.	Although we do not allow swimming, paddleboarding or kayaking on our reservoir, you can safely take part in sailing on our water with Dovestone Sailing Club, which operates from the South end of our reservoir. For more information, please see www.dovestone.org.uk.	Dovestone offers easier routes which are suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs with flat paths. For the more adventurous, you can access the longer trails. Radar key required for disabled access gates.	Orienteering course available, see www.gmoa.org.uk.

Peatland restoration

Bird watching

Dovestone Sailing Club

Walking routes

Orienteering

Healthy peatlands can store more carbon per square meter than a tropical rainforest and provide excelent defence against flooding. You can find out more here.

Dovestone is an RSPB reserve with many birds, from Curlew and Plover to Grouse and Peregrine.

Although we do not allow swimming, paddleboarding or kayaking on our reservoir, you can safely take part in sailing on our water with Dovestone Sailing Club, which operates from the South end of our reservoir. For more information, please see www.dovestone.org.uk.

Dovestone offers easier routes which are suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs with flat paths. For the more adventurous, you can access the longer trails.

Radar key required for disabled access gates.

Orienteering course available, see www.gmoa.org.uk.

Reminder

No fires, BBQs or fireworks are permitted on our estate land – also don't discard cigarettes, litter or matches whilst walking or driving through the countryside – all these can start a fire which can spread very easily especially in hot weather. You could end up with a £2,500 fine or prison sentence.

No swimming, paddleboarding or kayaking is allowed at our Dovestone site. Reservoirs can be extremely dangerous and are not the place for these kinds of activities due to the risk of deep water, strong current and cold-water shock.