Lopwell Accessibility
Above: Honeysuckle Honeysuckle. This plant has alos been planted to encourage dormice back to Lopwell. Dormice use the bark from this plant to construct their nest.
Lopwell Dam is situated at the upper tidal mark on the River Tavy, three miles north of Plymouth and seven miles from Tavistock .
There is a tidal causeway, which may be crossed at the low water mark. The causeway links Lopwell to the Bere Peninsula and may only be suitable for passage via 4x4 vehicles. Therefore, access to Lopwell is essentially a 'no through' road.
The dam is navigable up to two hours either side of high tide. You won't be able to walk across the narrow at the dam at high tide. Tide tables are positioned on either side of the dam and are the responsibility of West Devon Borough Council.
How to reach Lopwell Dam
- By Road : Take the A386 from Plymouth towards Yelverton. Take the road signed to Crapstone and follow signs towards Buckland Abbey. Contiune along this road, following signs to Milton Combe and then Lopwell. Take care, this road is narrow in places.
- By Bus : Take the 55 service (Mon - Sat from Yelverton (regular connections from Plymouth / Tavistock) to Milton Combe. There is then a one and a half mile walk to Lopwell.
- By Rail: Take the Tamar Valley line from Plymouth to Bere Ferrers. Lopwell is a two mile walk from the station. (N.B. The ford at Lopwell is not passable at high tide - check tide times in advance.)
- Cycle: The WDBC Lopwell Dam cycle Link Route (4.5 miles) offers cyclists an opportunity to cycle from the Bere Peninsula to Lopwell Dam and on to the Plym Valley. There is a short off-road section offering spectacular views of the Tamar and Tavy estuaries, which is open between the 2nd of February to the 30th of September.