Wimbleball Lake, Exmoor: 14km Circular Walk & Dam Guide

Searching for a scenic walk around a spectacular lake? Or perhaps a place to feast your eyes on an impressive Dam? If so, I recommend taking a trip to the wonderful Wimbleball lake and reservoir. A breathtaking place which you’ll find nestled amongst the beautiful rolling hills of Exmoor National Park in Somerset. We visited last weekend, and enjoyed watching the rippling water sparkle in the long awaited spring sunshine… which has once again dissapeared.

Although walking isn’t all you can do at Wimbleball lake. There are various cycle paths, a high ropes course, along with archery and quiet fishing spots. Plus if you’re not afraid of getting soggy, there’s heaps of water activities that are available to the public too. Meaning you can throw your hand at windsurfing, canoeing, sailing, paddle boarding and many more. You can even pitch up your tent for a wholesome night away, as Wimbleball is a 3-star family friendly camp site!

We did the 14km circular walk around the lake, which takes a fair few hours. However, there is a far shorter, more child friendly option which takes you straight to the dam. I’ll get to that later.

So before you head to this magical spot in Exmoor, here’s everything you need to know to help you plan your visit to Wimbleball lake near Dulverton.

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Where is Wimbleball lake?

You’ll discover this magnificent lake near a village called Wheddon Cross (which is actually the highest village on Exmoor) Its about 30 minutes drive from Minehead, Tiverton or Taunton.

Here’s the official address:

Brompton Regis, Dulverton, Somerset TA22 9NU

Car-parking charges

Parking charges are in force here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – so don’t forget to buy a parking ticket.

Up to 2 hours will cost you £2.50, or all day parking is £5 per vehicle. If you’re doing the full circular walk (and don’t plan on running it) then you’ll need all day parking.

If you plan on coming here regularly, there is an option to become a ‘Friend of South West Lakes’ which means you’ll be able to park for free.

It’s worth mentioning that the ticket machine in the carpark only accepts coins, or pay by phone. Which was where we encountered a slight problem, as we didn’t have enough change or phone signal! Luckily, I wandered over to the other ticket machine near the café and toilets, and that one accepted contactless payments which helped us become unstuck.

So if you have the same issue, remember to use the machine by the café.

What activities are available at Wimbleball?

There are so many different activities that you can do here, from multiple sports to star gazing in the Dark Sky Discovery Hub. They offer a high ropes course with prices starting from £22 (learn more about booking this on the South West Lakes website)

You can also enjoy the following water-sports and hire equipment for:

canoeing
kayaking
sailing
windsurfing
wing-foiling
rowing
paddleboarding
MEGA sup (a gigantic paddle-board that fits the entire family of 4-8 people!)

If you’d rather stay on land, you can take part in:

walking
cycling
archery
high ropes

Prices vary for each activity, check the current prices here!

Can you take your own paddle board out on the lake?

You can take your own equipment to Wimbleball lake, but you’ll need to pay to use the lake and you must also wear a life jacket. If you don’t have your own life jacket, you can hire these from the activity centre for £6 each. We plan to come back here in the summer and spend the day out on our paddle-boards!

Can you walk around Wimbleball lake?

There are two main walking routes here; one short and a much longer one which takes you around the entire perimeter of the lake. The short walk is better signposted, but the circular route isn’t too hard to work out. It does involve a small section of walking along the road.

How to do the short walk to the dam

If you’re bringing children (who’s legs tire quickly) or little tots in buggies. Then this shorter liner walk to the dam would be a great option, as the path (unlike the circular walk) is wide and smooth enough for pushchairs.

This short walk takes you from the main carpark, along a nicely gravelled path all the way to the dam – simply follow the signs. The route is approximately 3 miles (1.5 mile each way) and you’ll need to retrace your steps on the way back.

Along the way you’ll pass a kids play area, and the high ropes course (which isn’t open all the time). The path then traces the shape of lake until you arrive at the super beautiful and impressive dam.

(The dam is also part of the circular route)

How difficult is the circular walk at Wimbleball lake?

We did this walk in April, and due to all the recent rainfall some parts were boggy and only just passable. Therefor, I don’t recommend attempting this during the rainy winter months, as its probably impossible to complete the loop.

Navigating the best path through some of these challenging sections did slow us down a lot, and resulted in the entire loop taking us around 4 hours to complete.

Had the route been drier and easier to pass, it would have probably taken us 3-3.5 hours.

As for difficulty rating, I would class this circular route as moderate. It’s about 9 miles (14k) and regardless of whether you go clockwise or anticlockwise, you will have inclines in either direction.

In places this path gets narrow and uneven under foot, so you’d be unable to get a pram or buggy around the circular route. I also recommend wearing a good pair of walking boots for this trail, ours got very muddy!

There’s a cafe!

Just up from the main carpark there was a small (rather unloved looking) café. At first it looked like it was only the serving hatch that was open when we visited in April, as all the chairs were stacked on top of the tables inside. However, there was a note on the window saying they were serving via the main entrance.

There was an extensive drinks menu, from your regular teas and coffees, to flavoured teas, frappes and milkshakes. Whereas the only edible option listed was Yarde Farm ice-creams, and there were some packets of Burts crisps hung up in the window.

We didn’t get anything, as we brought a hot drink with us from home in our travel mugs. So I cant comment what the café was like.

Perhaps they have more food options during the summer months?

Are there any toilets?

Right beside the cafe is a small toilet block, which also had a disabled toilet and baby changing facilities. They aren’t the nicest public toilets, but it’s super handy to have. Especially when you’re setting off on a really long walk!

Are dogs welcome?

You can bring your dog along to Wimbleball, but they must be kept on a lead at all times as doggy paddle is strictly forbidden.

Are you allowed to swim at Wimbleball lake?

Although various water sports are allowed at Wimbleball lake, swimming is not. Purely for health and safety reasons as the average depth of the water is around 50m/160ft deep!

If you are super desperate to go for a swim here, they do hold certain race events (like Ironman) throughout the year where swimming is allowed.

How to do the 9 mile walk around Wimbleball lake and dam

Starting from the cafe carpark, follow the gravel path down towards the lake and turn left (we did it clockwise and saved the dam until the end)

Keeping the lake to your right, you’ll stroll pass another path (on your left) that takes you to the activity centre. Ignore that one, and continue straight ahead, following the sign that directs you to Bessom Bridge.

Eventually the path turns right, and runs beside the road. You’ll then need to cross over the metal barrier and walk along the pavement which takes you across Bessom Bridge.

This road is fairly quiet, and you can choose to either head up the bank into the trees and head back down the other side (which is what we did, as we thought you needed to) But to be honest, it’s easier just to follow the road, and turn right at the junction which you can just about see in the photo below.

This is the only section where you find yourself walking along the road, and it’s not for long. Continue past a gate, and keep going until you see a small carpark on your right-hand-side. There are enough spaces for perhaps 3 cars.

Follow the wooden sign that points you in the direction of ‘Lakeside Circular Walk’ which directs you across a low wooden bridge. This was where things began to get boggy for us! Hopefully its a little drier for your visit.

After crossing the bridge and rejoining a path, turn right and continue following the trodden trail which ebbs and flows along the way.

We crossed a wooden walkway, and soon noticed how boggy the grass was once the walkway ended. So we began squelching our way across this grassy stretch, which was pretty challenging in places! Shortly after you’ll cross another wooden walkway, this time much longer. Which also had a very muddy section come the end.

Wooden walking on the Wimbleball circular

After this, the path starts to climb a little and we spotted a wooden sign which told us to turn right, and that the dam was now 4.5 miles away.

We got to a woodland part, where the pathway forked in two. We took the upper path.

The path gets narrower as it takes you to the tip of the lake. Then you cross another wooden bridge taking you across the river which feeds into the lake. From here the dam is only 1.5 miles away.

Continue along the narrow trail and eventually you’ll be able to spot the dam in the distance. When you see it, turn right and walk over it.

Be careful taking a look over the edge, it’s so high and makes you feel a little dizzy!

Once we had crossed the Dam, we took a slight detour from the path, and headed left down into the field so we could watch the water rushing down.

If you chose to do the same, retrace your steps and head back up to the dam. Then continue the loop, keeping the lake on your right-hand-side.

Follow the gravel/dirt path and you’ll come out opposite the children’s play area. Walk beside the play area, and next you’ll stumble upon the high-ropes course.

Then turn left, and head back along the path that takes you to the carpark.

You did it!

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