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Scar House Reservoir


​I'm not particularly fond of reservoirs: I know they're essential but I don't like the idea of huge man-made structures being plonked into the countryside, sometimes even flooding small communities. 

Scar House Reservoir near Middlesmoor is very beautiful though, set in stunning Upper Nidderdale within the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, close to Pateley Bridge. The walk around the reservoirs is just 4 miles and offers a chance to spot curlews, lapwing, and ring ouzel and to marvel at the feat of engineering that built the reservoir that supplies water to Bradford.

You'll also be able to spot two lost villages. The first is Lodge on the north side of the reservoir, the atmospheric remains of a 13th century settlement, with views toward Angram Reservoir. Closer to the car park are the foundations of what was once a bustling little temporary town, housing around 1000 people in the 1920s. This was the community that built the reservoir.
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Unlike some other temporary communities, such as the one that built 
Ribblehead Viaduct, the one at Scar House Reservoir seems to have been very law-abiding and happy.

There were strict rules for behaviour but in turn residents were treated well, with some facilities that were not yet available to residents in nearby Pateley Bridge, such as  inside toilets, and baths with hot running water.

​Around 50 houses and bungalows and several hostels housed the huge workforce and their families. In their leisure time, they could use the shops, large concert and cinema that were built on site. Once the reservoir building was complete in the 1930s, each part of the temporary settlement was auctioned off and dismantled. 
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​The reservoir is a lovely serene place to visit in Summer, changing completely in Winter when it becomes incredibly windswept, seemingly always cold. It's well-worth visiting on a stormy day, to walk over the bridge and look down at the water rushing down the stepped hill onwards to Bradford. It's an awe-inspiring sight, especially when the reservoir is really full and the wind whips the water in every direction. 


Building Scar House Reservoir took 15 years to complete. It was hard and dangerous work with over 1 million tonnes of masonry to transport and build and one man was killed during the construction. The reservoir now provides 21 million gallons of water each day. ​​

Find more places to visit in the Yorkshire Dales

Wharfedale
Grassington
Kettlewell
Burnsall
Appletreewick
Kilnsey

Bolton Abbey Estate

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Swaledale & Arkengarthdale
Reeth
Richmond
Muker
Thwaite
Keld
Buttertubs
Langthwaite
Gunnerside
Crackpot Hall
Corpse Way
Swale Trail
Wensleydale
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Hawes
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Leyburn
Masham
Middleham
Askrigg
Wensley
Aysgarth
Carperby


Ribblesdale & Three Peaks
Settle
Settle-Carlisle Railway 
Yorkshire Three Peaks
Clapham
Feizor
Hoffman
Ingleborough
Ingleton
Stainforth
Nidderdale
Pateley Bridge
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Scar House Reservoir
Coldstones Cut
Fountains Abbey

​Brimham Rocks

About DalesDiscoveries.com

This independent not-for-profit website was created using recommendations from Dales insiders' - people who live in, and love the Yorkshire Dales. 
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​Copyright Susan Briggs 2021
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Image; Guy Carpenter
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