Carding Mill Valley Reservoir

Located a short stroll from the top car park at the National Trust’s Carding Mill Valley. The reservoir is accessed from a steep stone man-made “beach” area, and gets deep quite close to the edge. It’s shaded by silver birches and overlooked by the beautiful peaks of the Long Mynd. It gets the sun in the morning. It has wild swimming safety notices and emergency equipment, and NT rangers close by. A lovely place to swim.

Photo © Jeremy Bolwell

Place Categories: Lake Swims and Wild Swim.

This local gem was the first wild swim for my wife and I. It’s a great spot, and feels a little sheltered from the main gusts you’ll experience in the rest of the valley. The valley has very clear signage for the resevoir from any of the car parks now. We went mid week during the summer holidays and although there was occasional visitors up the valley to see the resevoir, not many people consider staying long, so seems likely you’ll secure a swim or a paddle on your own. Will definitely be coming back again once we’ve tried out other locations!
Graham Beaumont, Aug 01, 2015 - Carding Mill Valley Reservoir

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Gorgeous place to swim… When we got there on a very rainy day the clouds opened just as we reached the reservoir and it was glorious. You need to park in the NT car park for Carding Mill Valley which you can find directions for from Church Stretton, walk up through the valley it is signposted to the Reservoir.
Heidi Rice, Jul 15, 2015 - Carding Mill Valley Reservoir

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Gorgeous place to swim… When we got there on a very rainy day the clouds opened just as we reached the reservoir and it was glorious. You need to park in the NT car park for Carding Mill Valley which you can find directions for from Church Stretton, walk up through the valley it is signposted to the Reservoir.
Heidi Rice, Jul 15, 2015 - Carding Mill Valley Reservoir

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Can you still Swim here
Helen Bevington, Jun 21, 2015 - Carding Mill Valley Reservoir

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Nice to know there´s a place where the NT aren´t anti-swimming unlike e.g. Frensham Little Pd, Cregennan Lakes.
Philip Nice, Mar 24, 2014 - Carding Mill Valley Reservoir

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We have been in three times now – it’s a real favourite. We have a paddle about in the stream first with the children down in the valley then a yomp up to the reservoir for a real swim. Good on the NT for letting us in it. It’s a special place.
Katy Rink, Mar 13, 2014 - Carding Mill Valley Reservoir

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This is a resevoir do you like folks swimming in your drinking water ?
Anonymous, Aug 20, 2013 - Carding Mill Valley Reservoir

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- They do clean the water before it comes out of your tap.
  Anonymous, Feb 22, 2014 - Carding Mill Valley Reservoir
  
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- It’s the old Victorian reservoir, now unused for drinking water…
  Gwen, Apr 20, 2025 - Carding Mill Valley Reservoir
  
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Can’t help but think that ‘tower’ structure to the right would be a pretty good thing to jump off. Probably not advisable though, right?
Ryan, Aug 09, 2013 - Carding Mill Valley Reservoir

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Had a great swim from the bank rather than the man made beach so one friend, i a river lifeguard, went in first, but apart from a little weed, it was fine. A lovely peaceful swim, floating about and chatting surrounded by the rocks and birch trees.

Duma and friends, Jul 31, 2013 - Carding Mill Valley Reservoir
4/5
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