About
Chard Reservoir was built in 1842 to give water to the Chard canal. This canal went all the way to Ilminster. When the railway came to Chard, the canal and reservoir were not needed any more, and both stopped being used in 1868. But the reservoir was not left empty. It became part of a hunting and fishing area owned by Earl Poulet. Later, Colonel Gifford owned it in 1913, and then the Blackburn family bought it in 1973.
During the war, the reservoir was called the “Chard Lido.” People used it for local holidays, so they would not have to travel by train, which was needed for the war. There were swimming and boating events, and people enjoyed spending time there.
In 1990, South Somerset District Council took over the reservoir as part of a deal when Chard Business Park was built.