Reservoir and Bird Hide

If you're looking for a peaceful place to take in Hyde Hall's surroundings and native wildlife, make your way to the Bird Hide – situated next to the Reservoir, which provides the garden with all its irrigation needs

First major project

Almost as soon as the RHS took over the management of Hyde Hall in the 1990s, it became clear that because the garden is located in an area of minimal rainfall, it was imperative to better manage the water supply for ornamental areas of the garden.

A man-made clay-lined reservoir, with capacity to hold 46 million litres (10 million gallons) of water, has provided an effective solution. From this vast body of water, which regularly overflows with rainwater, a pump delivers water to tanks at the top of the hill, and from there, it is distributed through pipes around the garden.

Habitat conservation

The area surrounding the reservoir is planted with native species and has become a haven for dragonflies. The reservoir landscape cannot be accessed, so the site remains a protected habitat for wildlife, but can be viewed from the Bird Hide.

The Bird Hide is a peaceful spot to while away some time. Over the last four years, 90 species of bird have been identified here, including wigeons, mallards, swans, pochard, moorhen, tufted duck, teal, coot, little grebe, snipe, cormorant, heron and greylag goose.

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.