Welcome
Here you will find news and information about the birds & other wildlife of Blagdon Lake in North Somerset, England, UK. All photographs, and opinions, are my own unless stated otherwise. Contact me by sending an email to n.milbourne216atbtinternet.com.
Latest site additions include (aside from the daily blog) - Archived 2012 News (ongoing), Contact Form (not working yet), & Bird Species Accounts (ongoing), Revised Site Bird List. [Most recent update: 12th January 2024]
Where is Blagdon Lake?
Blagdon Lake is in North Somerset, 10 miles south west of Bristol. It is readily approached from the M5 at J21 (Weston-Super-Mare) if travelling from the north, and J22 (Burnham-on-Sea) if coming from the south, and lies between the routes of the A37 and A38 along the A368. To get to the dam, turn down Station Road in the village of Blagdon. Trains no longer visit Blagdon, the last passenger service was in 1931, but there is an infrequent bus service that is subject to change rather too often for me to give details here, and Bristol Airport is only 4 miles away.
The lake is, in reality, a reservoir created by the Bristol Waterworks Company (now Bristol Water) at the turn of the 20th century by damming the flow of the Congresbury Yeo, and in the early years was known as the Yeo Reservoir, but it has become more widely referred to as Blagdon Lake with the passage of time, perhaps reflecting more accurately its natural look in the landscape. It was formally recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1971, with both the water body and the species-rich neutral grassland bordering the lake included in the citation, and was duly included in the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) designated in 1972.
Map of Blagdon Lake showing locations used in the news feed.
The lakeside is permit-only access, to anglers and bird watchers, although Butcombe Bank (Shore) at the north end of the dam has a public footpath running along it, and All-Saint's Meadow at the end of the bay is open to access by the general public. Please note, however, that dogs are to be kept on leads, and there is no swimming or launching of craft permitted. Also, please respect our countryside; do take your litter home with you, and don't pick the flowers.