Visitor information
Opening hours
How to find us
Parking & prices
Facilities & access
Contact details

Opening hours

Wistlandpound is open 365 days a year, dawn until dusk.

How to find us

How to find us
N Thorne Ln , Barnstaple , Devon
Sat Nav Postcode: EX31 4SL
By Car

Near to Blackmore Gate where the A399 is crossed by the A39.

51.157059817956, -3.9443066918682

Parking and prices

Additional information

Number of accessible parking spaces: 2

Facilities and access

Assistant dogs welcome
Dogs allowed
Easy access trail

Contact details

Landline Number
0300 067 4800

Enjoy a fantastic day out at this stunning reservoir

Located on the edge of Exmoor National Park, just north of Barnstaple, visit Wistlandpound Reservoir for a great family day out. 

Discover an accessible walk along the reservoir with interactive play equipment for all, see what unique wildlife you can spot and finish the day with a rewarding picnic while enjoying stunning views over the reservoir! 

The site is managed by South West Lakes Trust. 

At a glance

  • Accessible walking trails 
  • Interactive play equipment 
  • Picnic areas
  • Dogs welcome 

Things to do

Take a peaceful walk around the reservoir at Wistlandpound.

This easy-access trail circles the reservoir and includes interactive play equipment in places. It is ideal for access by wheelchair users. 

Jo and Mike from The Kids Adventure Company run a range of forest adventure sessions at Wistlandpound for children and their families. Come rain or shine they can be found sparking curiosity and developing a passion for the outdoors through exploring, building, tree climbing, nature making and map reading.

Drop children off at a holiday club and let them develop their independence, or come together to one of our family or tot sessions; everyone is welcome.

Come along to Wistlandpound for:

Forest Adventure Tots - a weekly two-hour session for toddlers and their parents or carers. Holiday clubs - sessions from 10am - 3pm run during most school holidays. Forest Adventure parties - bespoke parties for children from the age of four. School visits - half or full days sessions.

About The Kids Adventure Company

Mike and Jo created The Kids Adventure Company after witnessing the passion their own children developed for living life to the full during childhoods full of adventure and fresh air. They are both qualified teachers, mountain leaders and first aiders, and between them belong to a range of professional outdoor bodies.  

More information and booking

Find all the information you need and how to book on The Kids Adventure Company website via the button below.

Enjoy a tasty treat next to the reservoir at Wistlandpound. Just bring along good food and company!

Picnic tables can be found along the path around the lake.

To prevent forest fires and reduce waste, please do not bring any barbecues into our forests.

Nearby forests

Eggerslack

Eggerslack Woods is a delightful, tranquil place with native trees, an abundance of wildlife and a wide range of holly, ivy and ferns. Located south of Kendal, it is well-equipped with footpaths and is a natural gateway to spectacular views.

Eggerslack Wood is a popular location for walkers and is often visited as part of more extended walks over Hampsfell. Eggerslack is well placed to offer short walks from Grange-over-Sands or from the parking area on Hampsfell Road.

Somerset hill

A mixture of broad-leaved trees and conifers, and part of the larger forest stretching right up to the coast, Kennisham Hill is a wildlife-spotter’s paradise.

Bring your binoculars and see if you can spot the Cheddar Pink flower (which can only be found in Somerset) Horseshoe bat, or the Wood White butterfly!

Views from top of hill over Exmoor

Found in the Brendon Hills of Exmoor National Park, just north of the small village of Luxborough, Croydon Hill provides the perfect backdrop for you to enjoy the tranquility of Somerset. 

This coniferous forest has rolling hills for you to explore on foot and you'll be rewarded with stunning natural views over the Bristol Channel and surrounding countryside. 

Douglas fir

Nutcombe Bottom is a popular walking and picnic site near Dunster.

Nutcombe Bottom is home to England’s tallest tree, which has been growing here since 1876 and was 60.05 metres when it was last measured in 2009. It also has a trunk estimated to weigh 50 tonnes with a diameter of 1.74 metres.

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