Today felt springlike in West Yorkshire, so we made the most of it with a walk around Ogden Water, followed by fish & chips in Hebden Bridge. Ogden is an old favourite for us when we want to stretch the dogs’ legs somewhere not too far from home in a circular walk.

Ogden Water is situated in the Ogden Valley, about 4 miles northwest of Halifax. It's nestled within the rugged beauty of the South Pennines, offering lovely views of the surrounding countryside. Its main feature is the reservoir, which serves as the local water supply source. The reservoir is surrounded by woodland and walking trails, making it a popular destination for dog walkers and nature lovers. We love the fact that the surrounding woodland gives you options to add on additional pathways and so lengthen your walk if you want to. It was really muddy today though, a white dog and winter do not make a good mix!

If you’re visiting with a family, its useful to know the site offers decent visitor facilities such as parking, toilets, and a small visitor centre This provides information about the reservoir, local wildlife, and walking trails, making it a useful starting point for exploring the area if you’re not already familiar with it. It’s also possible to fish (with a permit) and there are a few picnic tables which provide a nice seating area for warmer days.

The area around Ogden Water is managed by Yorkshire Water, which works to conserve and protect the natural environment while also providing public access for recreational use. Conservation efforts help maintain the ecological balance of the reservoir and its surroundings. As with all spots like this, swimming isn’t allowed, even for your dog, so if you’re looking for a dip spot this isn’t really suitable. There are plenty of good sniff spots for the dogs though, and we saw people pushing buggys around the main trail which is pretty well kept and flat.

You can find Ogden Water here (Google Maps)

After Ogden we had a mooch into the valley at Hebden Bridge where it was market day and bustling. The drive home was glorious, with spring light over the top of Oxenhope Moor and what can only be described as a power ballads marathon on Spotify. There’s no shame here - I’m owning it!