Reservoirs & lochs · London
Aldenham Reservoir
In or near Elstree.
Aldenham Reservoir — reservoir in Hertfordshire, England, UK.

Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 1 h–2.5 h
- Nearest railway station
- Elstree & Borehamwood · 2.3 km
- Free entry
- Dog-friendly
About
Aldenham Reservoir is a reservoir in the United Kingdom. Wikidata describes it as: "reservoir in Hertfordshire, England, UK". Coordinates: 51.6458°, -0.3111°.
Photo gallery
Official information
Aldenham Country Park offers 100 acres of countryside just outside London, featuring farm visits, outdoor celebrations, and seasonal events. Visitors can explore the park for free, enjoy food at the café, and engage in activities like feeding animals and petting sessions.
Protected designations
- Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty: Chilterns
Designations sourced from Natural England open data under OGL v3.
From the Wikipedia article
Aldenham Reservoir is situated in the parish of Elstree and Borehamwood in Hertfordshire, England, about one mile (1.6 km) to the west of the village of Elstree. It is the source of the stream, Tykes Water, that runs north through Radlett.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
It was built between 1795 and 1797 by the Grand Junction Canal Company, to control the water levels in the River Colne following the construction of the Grand Junction Canal, and was hand dug by French prisoners of war. An inspection report on the condition of the reservoir's dam in September 2019 revealed it to be a stable structure and in good condition, but requiring longer-term repair. Originally, the reservoir was 65 acre in extent, but following repairs to the dam its surface area was reduced to 55 acre. Since 1973 the reservoir has no longer been required for drinking water.
Visiting
The reservoir has been used for recreational purposes, including fishing and sailing. However, following an inspection of the dam in 2019, the current owners dropped the water level to reduce pressure on the structure. The sailing club was, as a result, no longer able to sail, handed back its lease in 2020 and departed. This also raised questions about the future use of the reservoir. There have also been suggestions that public access will be reduced with the reservoir fenced off from Aldenham Country Park.
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 51.6458, -0.3111
- County
- Hertfordshire
- District
- Hertsmere
- Parish
- Elstree and Borehamwood
- Postcode
- WD6 3BE
- Parliamentary constituency
- Hertsmere
- Nearest railway station
- Elstree & Borehamwood — 2.3 km
- Opening
- Daily from 9.00am
Sources
- wikidata: Q4713598 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Aldenham Reservoir (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: Lake at Aldenham Country Park.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby

Aldenham Country Park
Parks · 0.2 km

Lambs
Natural landmarks · 0.4 km

Large White Pig
Natural landmarks · 0.4 km

Continental Giant Rabbit
Natural landmarks · 0.5 km

Peacock
Natural landmarks · 0.5 km

Petting Barn
Natural landmarks · 0.5 km

Aldenham Country Park Farm
Zoos & aquariums · 0.5 km

Home Farm Glamping
Campsites · 0.7 km

Aldenham Works
Gardens · 0.8 km

The Holly Bush
Historic pubs · 0.9 km

The Liberal Synagogue Elstree
Historic churches · 0.9 km

Hertsmere Progressive Synagogue
Historic churches · 0.9 km
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Aldenham Reservoir?
- Aldenham Reservoir is in Hertfordshire, London, United Kingdom (postcode WD6 3BE), in the parish of Elstree and Borehamwood.
- What is Aldenham Reservoir?
- Aldenham Reservoir — reservoir in Hertfordshire, England, UK.
- How do I get to Aldenham Reservoir?
- The nearest railway station is Elstree & Borehamwood, about 2.3 km away. Drivers can use postcode WD6 3BE.
- Is Aldenham Reservoir a protected site?
- Yes — Aldenham Reservoir is part of the Chilterns National Landscape (AONB).
- Is Aldenham Reservoir free to visit?
- Yes, Aldenham Reservoir is free to enter.
- How do I get to Aldenham Reservoir?
- The nearest railway station is Elstree & Borehamwood, about 2.3 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode WD6 3BE.