Elton Reservoir
Elton Reservoir is a picturesque manmade lake located between the towns of Bury and Radcliffe, Greater Manchester, in the North West of England. It is a popular destination for walkers, runners, and cyclists as well as bird watchers and anglers. The Reservoir is also home to the highly successful Elton Sailing Club.
The reservoir was constructed in the early 1800s to supply water to the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal, and today it is owned and managed by the Canal and River Trust. Although the nearby canal is not currently navigable by boat, the Reservoir continues to play its vital role of keeping the canal ‘in water’.
It is surrounded by stunning countryside and provides a haven for wildlife, making it a great spot for nature enthusiasts. The reservoir is home to a wide range of native bird species, and an important destination for migrating birds. Local bird enthusiasts keep a feeding area close by the car park. There are plenty of opportunities to see other wildlife such as deer and brown hare, as well as animals grazing adjacent private farmland from clearly marked trails and footpaths.
The older members of our team at Cardwells, Estate Agents Bury, often reminisce about the evening walk past the reservoir en-route to Benny’s Night Club from The Wellington Pub on Bolton Road, Bury. Sadly, the club is now closed and the building removed, but in the heyday of the canal, boatmen and local famers would gather in that place which was then The Farmer’s Arms public house.
There is a multi-terrain walking route around Elton Reservoir, which is about 1.6 miles in length. The view from the east embankment is breath-taking. There are many other footpaths and trails in the immediate vicinity to accommodate visitors of all abilities, and of course, the nearby canal towpath and now disused line of the Bury and Bolton railway provide greenway routes to and from Bury and Radcliffe and surrounding areas. These varying routes are perfect for those looking for a leisurely stroll or bike ride with stunning views of the water and surrounding countryside. Many are particularly popular with families, dog walkers, and joggers.
Elton Sailing Club and Bury Angling Association was established here in 1858. In the early years, it was a gentlemen’s only club, and the main sport was rowing. The club house sported a full-sized billiard table, and one of the marks on the water is now labelled B. Rumour has it that when the table was disposed of, that it was used as an anchor weight for the mark! With the advent of affordable small dinghies coming to the market in the nineteen-fifties, the club introduced sailing activities. One of these boats was the Mirror, that was so called because the designer, Jack Holt, produced a series of weekly plans in the Daily Mirror to allow people to build their own boat. This is why the boat has a distinctive red sail, and is still sailed around the world today!
With a small fleet of dinghies, the club’s members formed the foundation of what is now a thriving sailing community. Today, the Sailing Club is a hub for both recreational sailors and competitive racers alike. New members are always most welcome. Further details are available online at www.eltonsailingclub.co.uk, and you can always contact the Club by email at [email protected]. The club is a recognised RYA Training Centre and runs a range of RYA recognised courses for its members to teach them how to initially sail and then develop their skills.
Fishing rights were first granted on the reservoir in 1858 by Lord Derby, to the then Bury Angling Association. It is possible to fish in Elton Reservoir today by joining the club as a fishing member, or obtaining a club membership of the Bury & District Angling Society. This also gives access also to other waters of the Society’s, and either can be obtained online at https://www.castbooker.com.
The reservoir has a small car park (postcode BL8 2BR), and can otherwise be accessed from different directions on foot and by bus, making it easily accessible to visitors. Please note that access by car is only available from Bolton Road near the Wellington Public House.
Overall, Elton Reservoir is a tranquil and beautiful location in Bury, which offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors and get close to nature. Whether you are looking for a peaceful walk, cycle ride, sailing or a spot of fishing, Elton Reservoir is the perfect destination for a relaxing day out, and is often enjoyed by our team at Cardwells, Letting Agents, Bury.
With thanks to Mr Steve Allinson, Elton Sailing Club and Bury District Angling Society – www.eltonsailingclub.co.uk
