Digley Reservoir Circular Walk
Digley Reservoir and Bilberry Reservoir are lovely reservoirs near me and makes for a great circular walk in Holmfirth. If you are looking for an easy walk with kids, or a walk with a pub stop near Holmfirth, try exploring this Digley Reservoir circular walk. This is one of my favourite Peak District walks with pub stops!
Views from Bilberry Reservoir up Wessenden Head Moor
This easy Digley Reservoir circular walk route starts near The Pickled Pheasant in Holmbridge, near the church, and wanders through pleasant woodland before reaching the reservoir itself. Digley is on the boundary of the Peak District, with views over the moors and peaks of the Dark Peak.
Views over Digley Reservoir
The reservoir has stunning views over to Holme Moss and Black Hill, up the Wessenden Head Moor Valley. There are lots of lovely walks to do nearby, including up to Blackpool Bridge, on the Wessenden Moor and up to the Black Hill trig point (also known as Soldiers Lump).
Starting at The Pickled Pheasant, head on up Field End Lane for about 150m. There’s a public footpath sign on your left which will take you through a small woodland down onto Digley Road, which is a track which leads up to the reservoir.
Views of Holmbridge Church with countryside beyond
After about 500m, there are some steps on your right. Go up these into the woodland, and follow the path up through the woods. It can be muddy and is a bit steep, so take care.
Digley Road, near Digley Reservoir
Woodland near Digley Reservoir
You will find yourself on Bank Top Lane, with Field Head Lane being to the north-east. Field Head Lane runs alongside Digley Reservoir. Our walk now takes us past the reservoir overflow and onto the footpaths which run around the edge of the reservoir.
Digley Reservoir overflow with views to Holme Moss
The footpath runs past an old quarry which has a steep drop down – take care with children and dogs here. If you go when the heather is in full bloom it looks spectacular!
Purple heather in full bloom near a quarry at Digley Reservoir
You’ll pass through a small woodland and then over a bridge with stunning views over the water. It was busy when we went so I couldn’t get a decent photo! Follow the path to the right as it goes alongside the fields.
The path will fork – this Digley Reservoir circular walk will head down to the left but you can carry on up onto the Wessenden Moor by taking the right hand path.
Follow the track through the gate and across the embankment between Digley and Bilberry Reservoirs. The views from here are stunning!
There is a steep climb up some rough steps now, before the path levels out. There are some benches to sit and enjoy a break and the view from. Passing through a gate you’ll come to a pretty little stream.
Following the path round, you’ll pass through another car park and back onto the road, Field Head Lane. Follow the road back towards the reservoir overflow and head back down Bank Top Lane, retracing your steps back down towards Holmbridge village.
Holmbridge Church as seen from the cricket ground
Head to The Pickled Pheasant for some well earned lunch and a pint, or up to The Fleece at Holme (this is within walking distance if you wanted to extend the walk).
Check out these blog posts for more Peak District walks with pubs. They’re my favourite kind of walk!
Parking: On the road near The Pickled Pheasant (HD9 2NQ). You could park in one of the car parks at Digley Reservoir itself (HD9 2QD) if you didn’t want a pub stop on your walk
Facilities: There are no facilities at Digley Reservoir.
Walk Time: 1-2 hours depending on how fast you walk
Difficulty: ▲
Distance: 3 miles (5 km)
Digley Reservoir Circular Route Map: (click the image to download the gpx file for your device)
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