You should be standing in between the Errwood Reservoir and the Fernilee Reservoir, which is just over the hedge to the north. The construction of these reservoirs dramatically changed the landscape of the Goyt Valley – many farms and other buildings were demolished, even those, like Errwood Hall, which weren’t actually going to be flooded.
The two reservoirs weren’t built at the same time. Fernilee was constructed during the 1930s, and Errwood in the 1960s. Compare the photographs below – can you tell how much technology had changed between their construction dates?
The history of the reservoirs goes back to an 1825 Act of Parliament to provide water to the growing town of Stockport. A number of local water companies were established soon afterwards, combining in 1863 to become Stockport District Waterworks Company. Several reservoirs were built in the area, including at Lyme Park.
Despite this, pressure on the water supply continued to grow, and the remote and sparsely populated Goyt Valley was identified as a suitable location for two new reservoirs.