Roadford Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Roadford Lake |
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The lake, at very low level, seen from a bridge across the river Wolf (as it enters the lake)
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 Roadford Lake
Location in Devon
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| Location | West Devon |
| Coordinates | 50°42′0″N 4°13′45″W / 50.70000°N 4.22917°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | River Wolf |
| Basin countries | United Kingdom |
| Managing agency | South West Water |
| Built | 1989 |
| Surface area | 295 ha (730 acres) |
| Water volume | 34,500 Ml (7.6×109 imp gal) |
Roadford Lake, also known as Roadford Reservoir, is a large, man-made lake in West Devon, England. It was created by building a dam across the River Wolf. This lake is the biggest area of fresh water in the southwest of England.
The lake is located northeast of Broadwoodwidger, about 8 miles (13 km) east of Launceston. It is managed by South West Water and provides drinking water for many homes. It directly supplies North Devon and also sends water into the River Tamar to help supply Plymouth and southwest Devon. Roadford Lake is also a special place for nature, known as a Local Nature Reserve.
When Roadford Lake was being built in 1989, a lot of exciting archaeological work took place. Experts, led by Professor Mick Aston from Bristol University, explored the River Wolf valley before it was flooded. Their discoveries were even shown on the Channel Four TV show Time Signs.
In 2008, South West Water received permission to build a holiday village next to the lake. This village would have 100 beds for visitors.
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Fun Activities at Roadford Lake
Roadford Lake is a great place for outdoor adventures and enjoying nature. Many activities are managed by South West Lakes Trust, which is a charity.
Water Sports
You can enjoy many different water activities on the lake:
- Sailing
- Rowing
- Kayaking
- Windsurfing
- Canadian Canoes
- Raft Building
Land Activities
There are also plenty of things to do on land:
- High Ropes Course
- Outdoor Archery Range
- Indoor Climbing wall
Exploring Nature
If you love being outdoors, you can:
- Go fishing for Brown Trout
- Walk along footpaths through beautiful forests
- Cycle on special paths through the woodlands
Other Facilities
- Lakeside Cafe: A place to grab a bite to eat.
- Adjacent campsite: You can stay overnight right next to the lake.
