Bewl Water is a reservoir in East Sussex on the border with Kent. It’s also the largest stretch of open water in the South East and is within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is surrounded by 800-acres and holds about 31,000 million litres of water. It has an activity centre and a number of facilities and activities on offer.
Essential facts
Before you travel to Bewl Water, here is some important information:
- Bewl Water has great access as it is just off the main A21 from London to Hastings. There is a large car park.
- Parking is expensive at £7.30 for a car (although the website says £7).
- There are great facilities including toilets, a café, a dog wash area, bike hire and play facilities for children.
- At Christmas, they host their own Christmas experience.
- Signage from the car park to the beginning of the cycle route is poor. However, once you are on the route, signage is excellent.
- There is a 20 km walk / cycle all the way around the reservoir.
- The cycle route around the entire reservoir is closed in winter from the end of October until late March.
- You can cycle 1.75 miles in either direction from the main centre in winter.
- They also offer fishing, an aqua park, a range of water sports and laser tag.
- There are no facilities on the circuit around the reservoir so take your own food and drink.
- Dogs are welcome but are not allowed to swim in the reservoir.
Walking or cycling at Bewl Water
The 20 km circuit of the reservoir is really a route of two halves. The first half takes you from the dam, along the very edge of the water. This section is pretty flat and the first couple of kilometres are by way of well made up metalled path. Thereafter you are on to a mixture of terrain which includes grassy tracks and woodland paths.
You can walk right down to the water’s edge and you will see birdlife in abundance. Look out for Grey Heron, Coot, Great Crested Grebe, Kingfisher, Tufted Duck, Canada Goose, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Swallows. The walk may get busy in summer, but during the winter, once you’re past the two mile marker, you won’t meet many people. There are also lots of opportunity to look back across the water and the setting is incredibly tranquil.
At about 6 / 7 miles, you leave the water’s edge and have 2 or 3 miles to travel by way of a quiet country lane. The downside of this section is that apart from the fact you leave the water behind, it is also quite hilly and I am sure there are more ups than downs! There is very little traffic and after one final steep descent down a narrow path, you are back at the reservoir’s shores with only 3 miles to go. Soon, the path becomes metalled again and you start to meet more people. The very last section is tough for cyclists who have one last hill climb before they get back to base. For walkers, there is a short cut that eliminates this.
It is a stunning route, but as you can see, on the day of our walk, it was just a little misty!
Things to do nearby
There are several other attractions to visit in the area which include:
- Bayham Abbey
- Scotney Castle
- Pashley Manor Gardens
- Bedgebury Pinetum
- Bodiam Castle
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