Drift Reservoir — Attraction in Sancreed

The reservoir was first given statutory approval in 1938 (under the Penzance Corporation Act 1938) but construction was deferred until after World War II. A joint water scheme was agreed by the Penzance and St Ives Borough Councils to provide water for the Land's End peninsula in 1951 and work finally commenced on 1 March 1959 by Robert Alpine and Sons. The original design had to be amended during excavations when rotting granite was found. It was completed for the West Cornwall Water Board in 1961. It is still the principal source of water for the Penwith area. The valley of Trewidden Vean, now known as the Lost Valley, was evacuated starting in 1938, with the last family leaving in 1961. The valley was cleared of trees before building started and most of Nanquitho Farm and farmhouse is now under water. The water level in the reservoir sometimes drops low enough to reveal the remains of houses and roads; this happened in the 1970s, the 1990s, and in the...

Drift Reservoir is Britain’s most southwesterly reservoir. It is excellent for gulls and wintering wildfowl, and can be very good for passage waders if the water levels are suitable. Over 240 different species have been recorded at the site. Included among the site’s rarities are Squacco and Purple Heron, Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpiper, American Golden Plover, Lesser Scaup and Booted Eagle. Ospreys are now regular...

Tranquil setting with many birds coming and going. For some reason the anglers with permits want the east side all to themselves but you can walk all along the west side. Just turn left at the dam, head towards the bird hide then walk past it to the gate at the bridleway, turning left brings you...