The Derwent and Howden dams built between 1901 and 1916 were made famous in 1943 when the RAF 617 Squadron used the dams to practise their famous Dambuster raid against the Ruhr dams in Germany. Building the Dams was such a big project a village had to be built called Birchinlee to house all the workers.
11/05/07

To see a map of the area click here

  Fairholmes information and visitor centre, refreshments, toilets and cycle hire are also available.

  Ducks around the visitor centre

  Young ducklings arrive too looking for scraps of food

  The carvings on the Biodiversity Pole depict the variety of natural wildlife that can be found in the Upper Derwent Valley

  Cycle hire centre at Fairholmes, the route around Derwent and Howden reservoirs is approximately 12 miles, unless you enjoy walking the hiring of a bicycle is recommended.

Derwent Dam

Derwent Dam

  Derwent Dam and reservoir

 Looking at the ornate side of this bridge

  Derwent reservoir

  Looking back along the path which snakes round the waters edge

  The different shades of green of the trees stand out in this picture

A grey Squirrel watches as we pass by

  Howden Dam amongst the trees

 Howden Dam

The steps provide a water feature beneath the dam

Howden reservoir and the hillsides beyond

Howden Dam and reservoir

Howden reservoir meets the river Derwent

River Derwent

Continuing along the path around Howden reservoir

Packhorse bridge

Geese seem to favour this part of Howden reservoir

Last look at Howden reservoir

This plaque shows Birchinlee Village known as "Tin Town", over one thousand people were involved in building Howden and Derwent Dams, the Dams were built to supply water to Sheffield, Nottingham, Derby and Leicester.

© Copyright John Beres & Carol Carlin 2003-2008