Anglezarke is the largest of the reservoirs in Lancashire’s ‘Lake District’; a chain of reservoirs running from Abbey Village to Rivington. The reservoirs were built in the mid-nineteenth century to provide drinking water to Liverpool.
Liverpool Corporation constructed three large embankments impound the water at Anglezarke.
Heapey Embankment is at the northern end and Charnock Embankment on the western side. Knowsley Embankment is at the southern end.
Anglezarke Reservoir is surrounded by woodland and farms. Footpaths run around the reservoir and various routes are possible. Our walk loops around Anglezarke and is 4 miles long.
The reservoirs in Lancashire’s ‘Lake District’ are Upper Roddlesworth, Lower Roddlesworth, Rake Brook, Anglezarke, High Bullough, Yarrow, Upper Rivington, and Lower Rivington.
All the reservoirs are connected. A pipeline was built to carry the water to storage reservoirs at Prescot in Merseyside. Water treatment works are located at the base of Lower Rivington Reservoir.
Upper Roddlesworth, Lower Roddlesworth, and Rake Brook are linked to Anglezarke by The Goit; a 4-mile channel.
Knowsley Embankment separates Anglezarke from Upper Rivington Reservoir.
Yarrow Reservoir lies to the east of Anglezarke. Its overflow runs into the south-east corner of Anglezarke.
Anglezarke is also connected to High Bullough Reservoir.
Nowadays, water from these reservoirs is used to supply the Wigan area. Liverpool now gets its water from Wales.
Driving is the best way to get to Anglezarke. No public bus services stop near the reservoir.
Parking is possible at several places around Anglezarke. The main car park is located at the junction of Moor Road and Knowsley Lane at the south-eastern corner of the reservoir. Use the postcode PR6 9DQ to find it using a satellite navigation system. Parking is free.
Many visitors park their cars on Knowsley Lane on the Knowsley Embankment at the southern end of the reservoir. This is fairly close to the Yew Tree Inn (postcode PR6 9HA).
