# Thornton Reservoir
**Type:** Walk | **Location:** Thornton, Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom
**Murphy Approved** ✓ — personally visited and approved by Murphy & Me
**Murphy & Me Rating:** 4.3/5 (space, sniff factor, facilities, ease)
## About
Some walks are leisurely. Some are sniffy. Some involve stopping to thoroughly inspect every individual blade of grass.

This was not one of those walks.

Murphy arrived at Thornton Reservoir in full mission mode. His pace was unusually quick, his sniffing was very much on-the-go rather than stopping to investigate properly, and he had the focused energy of a dog with somewhere to be. I have no idea where. Neither did he. But we were going to get there quickly.

We covered 2.5 miles in just under an hour around the reservoir loop — a flat, easy route on gravel paths that circles the water with trees on one side and open countryside rolling out beyond. It's spacious, peaceful and the kind of walk where you can let your mind wander while your dog does the same (at speed, apparently).

We visited later in the evening, which meant two things: a stunning sunset over the water, and midges. So many midges. Murphy was unbothered. I was less unbothered.

There is a coffee kiosk close to the car park, which is open between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm. There are also toilet facilities.

There are poo bins dotted along the route, and because it was later in the day, we only passed a handful of other walkers. It felt quiet and open — the kind of walk where you've got space to breathe and your dog has space to set their own pace, even if that pace is unexpectedly brisk.

The reservoir itself is huge, and the paths around it are wide and well-maintained. It's not particularly interesting in a 'sniff every tree' kind of way, but it's lovely in a 'big sky, open space, good for clearing your head' kind of way.

Murphy approved. Though I'm still not entirely sure what the rush was about.

## Murphy's Verdict
*Reviewed by Murphy, Cavapoo and chief sniff tester at Murphy & Me — The Dog Edit*
> "I don't know why, but this felt like a walk that needed doing quickly. Mum kept asking if I was okay. I was fine. Just had places to be. (I didn't have places to be.)

Big space. Good paths. Midges everywhere but they weren't my problem.

8/10 would power-walk again. 🐾"
## Highlights
- Flat gravel paths — easy underfoot and suitable for all fitness levels
- Huge open space around the reservoir with countryside views
- Poo bins along the route
- Quiet in the evening — we only passed a handful of other walkers
- Midges were out in force when we visited — worth bearing in mind if you're visiting at dusk
## Dog-Friendly Features
Free-Parking, Off-Lead, Gravel Paths, Poo Bins, Water / Swimming
## About This Review
Thornton Reservoir was personally visited by Murphy & Me — The Dog Edit, a trusted dog-friendly recommendation network covering Leicestershire and beyond. Every review is based on a genuine visit. No paid placements. Murphy approved where earned.
**Source:** [Thornton Reservoir on Murphy & Me](https://murphyandme.co.uk/walks/thornton-reservoir)
**Publisher:** Murphy & Me — The Dog Edit | murphyandme.co.uk
**Published:** 2026-07-09