Water works

Walking, fishing, sailing, cycling and horse riding probably will not come into it. But these are some of the activities to be enjoyed for free at reservoirs owned by Yorkshire Water.

Reservoirs do not have to be merely huge pools of water surrounded by green acres. Some still fit that description, admits Geoff Lomas, Yorkshire Water's catchment and recreation manager - after all, their main function is to hold water.

But others have been altered to accommodate visitors in pushchairs, wheelchairs and on horses, as well as weather-worn ramblers and fans of water sports.

In 2004, Yorkshire Water commissioned research into what people thought of the facilities on its land.

Most people were satisfied, said Geoff, but some said the company could do more with its natural assets.

As a result, the Only Available In Yorkshire campaign was created and thousands of pounds were poured into upgrading Swinsty reservoir in the Washburn Valley between Harrogate and Skipton.

There are now marked footpaths suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, bridleways and cycle tracks, benches and resting points, barbeque points and picnic tables.

There are toilets, and boot and bike washing facilities too.

"The customers' opinions inspired us to examine what else we can do to enhance our land and reservoirs without spoiling the essential peace and tranquillity of the countryside," said Geoff.

"Over the past two years, we've been working closely with partners to create new views and vistas, replanting woodlands and improving wildlife habitats to attract new colonies of birds, mammals and insects to areas where they may not have been seen for many years.

"There are now four different grades, offering anything from an easily accessible stroll to full-blown fell hikes, cycle routes and routes for horses - but all of them provide the opportunity for healthy exercise in the fresh air and a chance to see animals and birds in their natural habitats."

Here in North Yorkshire, we can make use of Swinsty Reservoir, Fewston Reservoir and Brayton Barff, near Selby, which is due to have money spent on it next year.

Those wishing to venture further afield can try Langsett, between Sheffield and Huddersfield, or Ogden, east of Halifax.

We spent a morning exploring Swinsty to see the improvements for ourselves.

At 9am, the breeze was blowing softly, the birds were singing and twigs crunched underfoot as we walked through huge conifers and oaks, buttercups, bluebells and foxgloves.

By 10am, mountain bike instructor Iain Johnson arrived to transform that tranquillity into fast, fierce adrenalin.

Racing over roots, rocks and twigs requires more energy than you think - especially where hills are involved.

It was great fun though - even if I hadn't ridden a bike since I was ten - and the views of the sun filtering through the trees and shining on to the turquoise water made it all worth while.

Besides the walkers and bikers, we saw a few horse riders, trotting along the bridleways.

Swinsty also boasts specialist parking for horse boxes and a saddling area with tethering posts and a mounting block.

Rider Helen Craven regularly takes her horses there.

"It's sometimes difficult to find nice facilities away from local rides," she said.

"Things like this really make a difference. Having a big car park and a tethering post really helps and it's great for the horses as well, being able to stand on softer ground. You can do hill work as well as quite flat work."

There is plenty of signage at Swinsty, so you can decide for yourself which routes are most suitable.

Not all reservoirs are signed like this though, says Steve Parsley, of Yorkshire Water. That is because some people just want to wander and be left alone.

"Not everyone wants to come to a car park like this and have an easy walk; some people want to get out of their car and disappear into the hills and see only sheep," he said.

Next, we tried our hand at fly fishing in Fewston reservoir, which is right next to Swinsty. Both reservoirs contained rainbow trout, which are stocked throughout the season.

It's a great way to test your skill and although I only caught weeds, a fellow angler caught a fine trout.

In the afternoon, we travelled to Embsay reservoir to try sailing. You need to belong to a club to try this, such as the Craven Sailing Club, which sails at Embsay.

Despite our lack of skills, none of us fell in and some brave souls even leaned out over the sides.

The day climaxed with a helicopter ride over some of Yorkshire Water's most scenic reservoirs (including the one in the Emmerdale credits), before we landed at Scar House and Angram reservoirs in Nidderdale for steaming tea and home-made cakes.

Now that's the way to travel.

Yorkshire celebrities Harry Gration, John Craven, Nell McAndrew and Gaynor Faye have all recorded podcasts to guide you around Yorkshire Water's reservoirs. To download one, log on to www.yorkshirewater.com/recreation

What else can you do?

For more information on the fishery, on-site tuition, equipment sales and hire call the Swinsty Fishing Office on 01943 880658.

For cycling information, log on to www.cycleyorkshire.co.uk or call Iain Johnson on 07958 130 712

Two waterside walks

Fewston Walk

This relatively easy walk encircles the beautiful Fewston reservoir in the charming Washburn Valley. Crossing over Fewston dam offers spectacular views over Fewston Reservoir and down the valley across Swinsty Reservoir. The walk is 3.9 miles long.

Location: West of Harrogate, north of Otley.

Route: Follow the red waymark arrows. Starting at Swinsty Moor car park 1 at the southern end of Fewston reservoir dam, leave the car park by the main entrance, cross the road into the wood and take the left-hand path downhill to the path running along the western shore of the reservoir.

This path is easy to follow and for most of its length is within a few metres of the water.

Follow the path around to the left at point 2 and continue on this stretch for about two miles until you reach a wooden gate with an A' frame access point alongside that leads into the car park beside the A59 at Blubberhouses at point 3.

Follow the path on the right-hand edge of the car park to the steps leading up to the main road (A59).

Climb the steps and turn right on the pavement alongside the A59 for approximately 100 metres to a gap in the fence on the right and a further flight of steps down towards the reservoir at point 4.

Descend the steps, turning left at the bottom to follow the footpath along the eastern side of the reservoir to point 5 near the dam.

Here turn left through a gap in the wall and proceed uphill with a wall on your right. Follow the wall to a junction with another path at point 6 and turn right down a flight of stone steps to the public road.

Turn right on the road, passing a house on the end of Fewston reservoir dam, cross the dam on the pavement. At the northern end of the dam turn right through a gap in the wall at point 7 and climb the steps or take the zig-zag ramp up into the wood.

Continue up a slight gradient parallel to the road to the point where you entered the wood at the start. Cross the road back to the car park.

Brayton Barff Easy Access Route: This circular route flows through densely wooded areas in an area of level widespread agricultural land. The route is 1.3 miles long and surfaced with short minor gradients.

Location: West of Brayton village, Selby

Access: The car park is situated off Barff Lane, west of Brayton village on the A19, near the village of Thorpe Willoughby. Please be aware that there is a 1.8 metre height barrier.

Route: From car park, walk through the kissing gate in the lower left corner and join the path running clockwise around the Barff and follow this path round to the works access road.

Here turn left along the access road (be aware of vehicles) and just before the public road, turn right and follow the path back to the car park via the upper gate.

There are many other footpaths, through the woods, which can be followed. However, these other routes are not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.