Tourist profile


All things bright and


Bewl Water has undergone something of a change in recent years and with substantial investment by its new owners, the future looks bright as Simon Finlay reports….


I


T IS said that Bewl Water is the most beautiful man-made still water in the country.


Te Claerwen in the Welsh Elan Valley, Chew Valley near Bristol and Tirlmere in Cumbria would perhaps compete for that title but few would disagree it is a freshwater pearl of a place.


Nestling in some of the most stunning Kentish countryside, Bewl looks as though it has always been there, only betrayed by the concrete draw-off tower and reservoir wall. Te truth is that it was created, dammed and flooded on farmland just four decades ago with the purpose of providing the Medway towns with drinking water.


Over the years, the 770 acre water has become something of a Mecca for sailors, water sport enthusiasts, trout fishermen, birdwatchers and walkers.


22 Mid Kent Living


Te whole site takes in 1,200 acres making it a draw for enthusiasts on the water or those who prefer terra firma.


Tere are plenty of eating/snacking options not least the Boat House Bistro which is open at the weekends.


WILDLIFE


Estate manager Howard McKenzie, who has worked at Bewl since it opened 41 years ago, never tires of the surprises the natural world can throw up at Bewl. Each spring sees the migratory stop-off of at least one and sometimes two ospreys on the way north to breed.


Residents such as grebes, red kites, terns, gulls, geese and woodland species abound on the water or on its shoreline.


Te nature reserve splits into three sections and much of it is accessible on foot. A


birdwatching hide is being upgraded as part of Bewl’s investment and is out of commission. But there is plenty to see with a decent pair of binoculars all through the year, especially when winter wildfowl come to shelter in mild British conditions. As well as fauna, there is a plethora of flora to distract the botanically minded. Te ancient, semi-natural woodland is made up of English favourites like Oak, Sweet Chestnut, Birch, Hornbeam, Alder and Hazel with ground flora over most of the site that includes species such as Bluebell, Wood Anemone and Yellow Archangel.


WALKING


Te full circuit of Bewl Water is a heſty 12.5 miles – a small section of which is by road to avoid disturbing the nature reserve – and is perhaps best suited to experienced walkers


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