The water company has put together a guide to their wildlife walks, suitable for all the family, over the school holiday.
Visitors are invited to cycle, walk or picnic at the well-loved beauty spot.
As well as a host of wildlife, Chew Valley Lake is home to two picnic spots and two restaurants – The Woodford and Salt & Malt.
Salt & Malt is an award-winning restaurant and takeaway famed for its freshly caught fish, and chips, which visitors can enjoy outside on the picnic tables or in the restaurant.
The Woodford is a lakeside restaurant serving delicious, locally sourced food where customers can enjoy spectacular views across the lake.
Chew Valley, which provides much of the drinking water to Bristol and its surrounding areas, boasts three main walking trails, each with something different to offer.
The Grebe trail (1.2km) is a hard, level trail which offers potential sightings of Chaffinches and the White Marbled Butterfly.
The Bittern trail (1.5km from start to finish) is part boardwalk and part unsurfaced and boasts Woodpeckers, Leaf Beetles and Hoverflies.
The Recreational trail is the newest and longest trail (2.7km). It has fantastic accessibility for bikes, prams and wheelchairs.
On the various woodland walks visitors can expect to see a variety of deciduous and coniferous trees, including Sweet Chestnut, Beech, Sycamore, English Oak, and a host of birds, including Coal Tits, Treecreepers and Sparrowhawks, among the branches.
Chew Valley Lake is home to the Chew Valley Sailing Club which welcomes new members, and visitors with permits can birdwatch at five tranquil bird hides, where 260 species of bird can be spotted visiting the lake.
The lake is also well stocked with Rainbow Trout for anyone who wishes to fish.
Not only is Chew Valley the perfect day out but it has become such an important site for wildlife that it’s been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Protection Area.
Kirsty Dunford, Conservation, Access and Recreations Manager at Bristol Water, said: “With half term fast approaching we’re excited to welcome visitors to our gorgeous nature trails.
“Chew Valley Lake has something for people of all ages, including amazing scenery, wildlife and places to enjoy a meal, or picnic, with family and friends.”
For more information visit our Chew Valley Lake page.
