Bewl Water Reservoir
East Sussex
Bewl Water is the largest reservoir in the South East — 770 acres of lake on the East Sussex and Kent border, surrounded by managed woodland and open grassland. The shorter northern loop covers 10 km, taking in the main dam, the wooded eastern shore, and the open grassland above the western inlet before returning to the visitor centre. The path is clearly waymarked and mostly flat, with a couple of short rises over headlands between the inlets. A committed walker can tackle the full 22 km perimeter.
The shoreline brings together the cool mineral smell of still water and mixed woodland in a combination that works particularly well for dogs. Water access is good at several gravel beaches around the shore, and swimming is permitted in most sections. The path is busy near the visitor centre at weekends but the eastern shore sees far fewer people even in peak season. Leads required near the visitor centre and its facilities. Cycle and kayak hire available for those wanting to extend the day.
At a Glance
Walk Must-Haves
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Frequently Asked Questions
Bewl Water is a great choice for dogs , 770 acres of open water surrounded by woodland and grassland, with multiple gravel beaches where dogs can get in for a swim. The shoreline path is well-suited to dogs of all kinds, and the calm open water atmosphere makes for a relaxed outing. There's a visitor centre with a café and toilets, plus cycle and kayak hire if you want to make a full day of it.
Dogs are required to be on leads near the visitor centre and its facilities, but for much of the shoreline path there's good scope for off-lead walking, particularly on the quieter eastern shore. The path is mostly flat and clearly waymarked, so it's easy to manage your dog across the 10 km northern loop or the full 22 km perimeter route.
The area near the visitor centre gets busy at weekends, but the eastern shore stays noticeably quieter even in peak season , worth keeping in mind if your dog prefers a calmer walk. Swimming is permitted in most sections of the reservoir, and there are several gravel beaches along the shore where dogs can access the water. Parking is at the Bewl Water visitor centre car park in Lamberhurst, TN3 8JH.