Bird watching
Chard Reservoir is a great place to spot birds. You can use the bird hide, a special shelter that lets you watch birds by the water and on the shore. The bird hide is not open all the time, so check the opening times before you go.
Bird Hide Opening Times
- Weekdays: 8.30am to 3.30pm
- Weekends: Morning to Evening (dependant on volunteer availability)
From the bird hide, you might see kingfishers, grebes, herons, or egrets. In winter, you can also see birds like sandpipers and teals. Sometimes very rare birds, like avocets or ospreys, visit too.
There is also a spot called the ‘Rest ‘n’ View’. It is a screen with bird feeders nearby. Birds like tits, chaffinches, and nuthatches come here to eat. It is a nice place to stop, rest, and watch the birds.
Fishing
Fishing is permitted at the reservoir through the Chard Angling Club.
For more information about membership and purchasing of day tickets visit the Chard Angling Club website.
Dog walking
Dogs are welcome at the reserve, but please follow the rules:
- Dogs must be kept on a short lead in the woodland.
- Always keep your dog under control and stay on the paths so you don’t damage plants or disturb wildlife.
- Please clean up after your dog everywhere in the reserve to keep it safe and tidy for children and families. There are lots of dog bins around.
- Dogs are not allowed on the shoreline or near the bird hide in the conservation area.
Trekker Tim's Trail
Grab yourself a leaflet from Oaklands Car Park or download one from our website to help Trekker Tim answer questions whilst he is out on his adventures around the reservoir.
Geocaching
There’s a few hidden treasures around the reservoir – download the Geocaching app to see if you can find them.
Woodland play zone
Enjoy a walk and a picnic with the family and discover our woodland play zone. With simple features like balancing beams and stepping stones to keep little ones entertained.