Walks On Water

Mighty Georgian-era reservoirs attracting overwintering wildfowl, village pubs and a blaze of autumn leaf colour are just some of the attractions of a walk around Tring Reservoirs and the Grand Union canal in autumn, writes.

- Liz Hamilton

AUTUMN is an ideal time to venture into the flatlands of the clay vale beyond the Chilterns to explore Tring Reservoirs and the canals they supply. The trees will be in their autumn colours and the hedges laden with fruit. You might spot some of the rare native black poplars locally abundant in the area – at this time their leaves turn golden. There’s good parking, numerous well surfaced paths and several pubs and cafés.

From Wilstone village, two miles northwest of Tring, a circuit of about four miles takes in the Grand Union canal, its Wendover and Aylesbury arms and all four reservoirs. The Half Moon pub in Wilstone is a good place for lunch before or after a walk.

Close to the village, Wilstone is the first reservoir you encounter, reached by a flight of steps. It’s the largest reservoir, built in 1802 and expanded twice later in the century – the lines of trees in the middle mark the original banks. A path (often muddy in winter) runs through trees fringing the western end of the reservoir. From here you can reach a hide for views of the wintering wildfowl that congregate on the reservoir, as well as resident birds. Beyond there’s a climb to the towpath of the Wendover arm.