Bartley Reservoir in Bartley Green

In Bartley Green is located Bartley Reservoir. It is on Genners Lane at the retaining wall (dam) and Scotland Lane. Completed in 1930, the reservoir is now operated by Severn Trent Water. It receives water from the Elan Valley Reservoirs in Wales, which comes from the nearby Elan Aqueduct. The reservoir is also home to Bartley Sailing Club. And is close to King Edward VI Five Ways School.

Bartley Reservoir

You can get to Bartley Reservoir on the no 18 bus, that goes past Newman University, and can get off near Genners Lane. On Scotland Lane there is a picnic area and some car parking spaces. But you could also park a bit further down, close to King Edward VI Five Ways School. Other nearby bus routes include the 23.

My visits during December 2015 (by bus) and March 2021 (by car).

 

Bartley Reservoir, December 2015

Getting off the no 18 bus on Genners Lane in Bartley Green, I was eager to try out my then new bridge camera (which I'm still using today over 5 years later). Could see the retaining wall (or dam) at Bartley Reservoir on the left.

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It was very windy at the time, so the water on Bartley Reservoir was a bit choppy due to Storm Desmond.

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The direct view of the reservoir from Genners Lane. It was like the tide was coming in.

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Between the retaining wall on Genners Lane and the water was a fence on the left. In the distance you can see Newman University.

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Distant fields showing you that the reservoir is close to the countryside.

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More of the same views of the reservoir as I walked up Genners Lane.

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A bit of a zoom in to the fields to the back of the reservoir.

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Halfway down there is a bench where you can sit and watch the reservoir. Bird watching perhaps, or on days when members of Bartley Sailing Club are out on the water?

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The far end of the retaining wall (or dam).

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It was very windy that day at Bartley Reservoir, this was to the north west corner.

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One last look at the reservoir from the end of the retaining wall.

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Small Tower at Bartley Reservoir

Saw this small tower from Genners Lane, behind it was Bartley Sailing Club. The gate was locked.

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I would guess it would have something to do with the water coming from the Elan Valley in Wales.

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Only Severn Trent staff can go down that bridge I would think.

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The gate was locked, and was danger signs, also No swimming allowed.

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Bartley Sailing Club 

I've yet to see any of the boats out on the reservoir, that day it was too windy due to Storm Desmond!

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There is a sailing club house on the right.

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Steps below the sailing club, and somewhere for members to climb into their boats (but not in this weather of course).

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There was a lot of yachts on dry land.

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From Genners Lane there was an open gate, and I could see some of the boats nearby.

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Bartley Reservoir, March 2021

More than 5 years later, back to Bartley Reservoir, but by car this time. We went around Scotland Lane, and parked just beyond King Edward VI Five Ways School. Then walked along the road towards the Picnic Area. Where there would be some nice views of the reservoir.

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A sign warning fly tippers. Sadly I saw a lot of rubbish and fly tipping alongside Scotland Lane at this point, even with CCTV camera's they are still doing it!

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First view of Bartley Reservoir from near the picnic area.

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There would be a path to head down in a short while.

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Block of flats seen on the other side of the reservoir. The retaining wall (dam) and small tower seen to the far left.

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There was a fence at the bottom of the field near the picnic area.

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Zooming into some buoys, with gulls in the distance, they weren't close to the banks of the reservoir, just in the middle.

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The general direction to Frankley Reservoir. At least one of the roads in this area was having roadworks, but you can't get to close to Frankley Reservoir on foot.

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This tree at the picnic area, had things taped to it, some memorial to someone who passed away?

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A zoom in to the small tower at the retaining wall (dam).

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Leaving the picnic area behind, we walked back up Scotland Lane, how heading towards Senneleys Park. Saw this view between the trees.

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From Scotland Lane, went down Field Lane, and got to Genners Lane. Went past King Edward VI Five Ways School and Newman University. Got to Bartley Sailing Club when I saw this boat with fangs on it!

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A quick look at Bartley Reservoir from Genners Lane near the retaining wall (dam). Before heading up Cromwell Lane towards Senneleys Park.

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It hasn't changed much in more than 5 years, other than the water was much calmer.

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Still fences around the north west corner of the reservoir close to the retaining wall.

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Areas for launching yachts and boats close to Bartley Sailing Club.

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One last look at the retaining wall and Genners Lane, before walking up Cromwell Lane towards Senneleys Park.

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Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown