Scout Dike Reservoir is surrounded by lush greenery, welcoming everyone from couples, families, runners, and fishing enthusiasts.
One of the best things about the reservoir is that it is quite flat all the way around the popular circular walk, so you can take in the glistening water and surrounding woodland at a nice struggle-free pace.
As a family, we were actually supposed to go to The Yorkshire Sculpture Park for a nice walk, but having a newborn we didn’t end up leaving the house until mid-afternoon and the YSP closed at 4ish, so it wasn’t worth going and rushing around.
With it being summer at the time and plenty of daylight left, we decided to go to Scout Dike Reservoir because it’s always open. It was so lovely when we went, so we thought we definitely have to let others know about this little gem.
Scout Dike Reservoir is suitable for wheelchair and pram/buggy access. There are some steps at the beginning but there’s also a sloped area for wheelchairs/prams/bikes from the car park too.
Scout Dike Reservoir is part of a small group of Yorkshire Water reservoirs situated to the south and west area of Ingbirchworth, just off the A629 north Penistine. This reservoir was built and completed in 1928, holding around 700 cubic meters of Yorkshire Water.
Aside from being a compensation reservoir built for the flows of the river system, its waters are also locally important for wildlife.
How to get to Scout Dike Reservoir
Address: Huddersfield Rd, Penistone, Thurlstone, Sheffield S36 7GF
Just input the postcode into Google Maps and you’re set. You will be taken to the car park, which is free (happy days). There are plenty of parking spaces and the reservoir does not seem to get very busy often, so you should be good for a parking space.
How long does it take to walk around Scout Dike?
A lovely leisurely walk taking in the scenery and the obligatory selfies will be around 1 hour, give or take. If you can visit on a sunny day the walk is so much more pleasant.
At the parking, there’s a map that details more things to do within the Ingbirchworth reservoirs including longer routes, cycle routes, and horse riding.
Be sure to give the sign a read if you want to explore further options.
There are plenty of picturesque opportunities for those snaps. It is also cool to see a bunch of folks kitted up in fishing gear patiently awaiting the next pull on the line.
Is Scout Reservoir dog friendly?
You are free to bring your dog on the walk, however, there are signs to keep your dog on the lead.
However no one had their dog on a lead that we saw, so we let our dog off the lead too as it was pretty empty when we went.
We put our dog back on the lead when we passed other people and wildlife as we imagine the lead sign probably had to do with some wildlife being around the area, as well as people fishing which could disturb the peace.
Scout Dike Reservoir Fishing
There is the option to fish at the reservoir too but you need to have a ticket and be part of the Barnsley Scout Club – The private members club.
There’s pretty strict signage around and if you try fishing without a license/ticket then you’ll be prosecuted.
If you’re interested, you can look more into it on the Barnsley Trout Club website.
Interested in discovering other reservoirs? Check out the larger Dovestone Reservoir Walk, with an array of walking routes, wildlife, and epic views.
