Skip to content
WordPress site playing up? Vincony fixes it — today, from $5.Get it fixed →
The Great Britain Guide logoThe Great Britain Guide

Reservoirs & lochs · London

Aldenham Reservoir

In or near Elstree.

Free admission🐾 Dog-friendly

Aldenham Reservoir — reservoir in Hertfordshire, England, UK.

Aldenham Reservoir, reservoirs & lochs in Hertfordshire

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 & Borehamwood2.3 km
Opening
Daily from 9.00am

Sources

Other places nearby

Nearby

Aldenham Country Park📷 5

Parks · London

Aldenham Country Park

Aldenham Country Park — park in United Kingdom.

Free🐕👶aldenhamcountrypark.co.uk
Aldenham Country Park Herts - geograph.org.uk - 23298📷 5

Natural landmarks · London

Lambs

Lambs — a other in england-london, United Kingdom.

Free🐕👶
Aldenham Country Park Herts - geograph.org.uk - 23298📷 5

Natural landmarks · London

Large White Pig

Large White Pig — a other in england-london, United Kingdom.

Free🐕👶
Aldenham Country Park Herts - geograph.org.uk - 23298📷 5

Natural landmarks · London

Continental Giant Rabbit

Continental Giant Rabbit — a other in england-london, United Kingdom.

Free🐕👶
Aldenham Country Park Herts - geograph.org.uk - 23298📷 5

Natural landmarks · London

Peacock

Peacock — a other in england-london, United Kingdom.

Free🐕👶
Aldenham Country Park Herts - geograph.org.uk - 23298📷 5

Natural landmarks · London

Petting Barn

Petting Barn — a other in england-london, United Kingdom.

Free🐕👶

Where to eat & stay near Aldenham Reservoir

Places to stay

Watling Street, Elstree - geograph.org.uk - 3130010📷 5

Campsites · London

Home Farm Glamping

Home Farm Glamping — a campsite in england london.

homefarmglamping.com
George V postbox on Brockley Hill - geograph.org.uk - 5317855📷 5

Caravan parks · London

Watling Farm Caravan Site

Watling Farm Caravan Site — a caravan park in england london.

Edgwarebury Lane - geograph.org.uk - 2378324📷 5

Campsites · London

Northern Heights

Northern Heights — a campsite in england london.

Grim's Dyke Hotel, from the other side - geograph.org.uk - 311187📷 5

Hotels · London

Grim's Dyke Hotel

Grim's Dyke Hotel — a hotel in england london.

Freegrimsdyke.com
The Watford Hilton Hotel, A41 - geograph.org.uk - 2284131📷 6

Hotels · London

Hilton London Watford

Hilton London Watford — a hotel in england london.

hilton.com
Balmoral Drive, Borehamwood - geograph.org.uk - 3828531📷 7

Hotels · London

DoubleTree by Hilton London Elstree

DoubleTree by Hilton London Elstree — a hotel in england london. 4-star. Brand: DoubleTree.

hilton.com

Places to eat & drink

Lych-gate, St Nicholas Church, Elstree - geograph.org.uk - 4941847📷 5

Historic pubs · London

The Holly Bush

The Holly Bush in England London, United Kingdom.

Crossing The Hazard - geograph.org.uk - 2374739📷 5

Historic pubs · London

The Waggon And Horses Public House

The Waggon And Horses Public House in England London, United Kingdom.

Entrance to farm on Watling Street, Radlett - geograph.org.uk - 2304226📷 5

Historic pubs · London

The Cat And Fiddle Public House

The Cat And Fiddle Public House in England London, United Kingdom.

Entrance to Bushey Country Club - geograph.org.uk - 3312380📷 5

Historic pubs · London

Horse And Chains Public House

Horse And Chains Public House in England London, United Kingdom.

Pre-Worboys signs, Clamp Hill Stanmore - geograph.org.uk - 2596056📷 5

Historic pubs · London

Seven Balls

Seven Balls in England London, United Kingdom.

(Not) Open All Day - geograph.org.uk - 3726650📷 5

Historic pubs · London

Railway Hotel

Railway Hotel in England London, United Kingdom.

More places in this region

Brent ReservoirFlagship📷 10

Reservoirs & lochs · London

Brent Reservoir

Brent Reservoir — reservoir which straddles the boundary between the London boroughs of Brent and Barnet, in England.

Free🐕
Queen Mary ReservoirFlagship📷 10

Reservoirs & lochs · London

Queen Mary Reservoir

Queen Mary Reservoir — lake in the United Kingdom.

Free🐕
Banbury Reservoir📷 5

Reservoirs & lochs · London

Banbury Reservoir

Banbury Reservoir — reservoir in the London Borough of Waltham Forest, England, United Kingdom.

Free🐕
Bessborough Reservoir📷 5

Reservoirs & lochs · London

Bessborough Reservoir

Bessborough Reservoir — lake in the United Kingdom.

Free🐕

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.