Bessborough Reservoir

The Bessborough Reservoir is an embanked reservoir south of the River Thames in Surrey near the Knight Reservoir and the Molesey Reservoirs. The A3050 runs to the north of the reservoir and the neighbouring town is Molesey to the east. It forms part the green buffer between Molesey and Walton on Thames. The reservoir is the borough of Elmbridge.The Bessborough and Knight Reservoirs were built by the Southwark and Vauxhall Waterworks Company, whose works were across the river at Hampton. Work began in 1898 replacing an old mansion and its farmed or landscaped estate, a manor, named Apps Court, and the reservoirs opened in 1907. They have a combined area of 125.5acre and hold 1,198e6impgal.HistoryApps CourtThe last noble owner was John, Duke of Montagu, from 1709 until 1749 who died without surviving male issue in that year.Either the son or the grandson of late 18th century landowner, Jeremiah Hodges, Colonel Hodges sold the manor in 1802 to Edmund Hill who finally bequeathed it on his death to John Hamborough, after whose death it was sold by the trustees of his estate to Richard Sharpe. Robert Gill bought it before 1867 and his widow took it after his death.

Tags: Lake