Totally agree with Tim - I didn't realise it was such a mileage difference!!
I have had some belting days up at WP when Kirby has been unsailable, but not for a while now - and it is certainly more pleasant rigging up on nice soft grass, and then having a nice pint at the end of the day!

I have also been eyeing up Audenshaw resr recently - I even took a trip up there for a closer inspection, but it appears to be completely fenced off - I never even got to see the water. I'm not sure what the water level is like compared to the height of the wall - if there's not too much of a difference it could be a brilliant venue!! I heard that someone was trying to set up a sailing club a while ago.

Tim - did you contact UU yourself or is that word of mouth about it being off limits?

Hi Shawn
I did make some calls a couple of years ago to United Utilities, when I found out that a local sailing club were using it whilst they were having work carried out at their venue.
There must be access as I see people walking round the wall most nice days.
Apparantly, the water level stays pretty much 100% year round. You can see images on a Google image search. The biggest problem is the twitchers though, as it is treated like a bird reserve and they complained like billyo when they sailed on it!.

Would be a great venue due to the elevation for Stocky folk though. The people at UU I spoke to didn't want to be mithered looking into it and gave me no route forward, so there may be some mileage in giving it a fresh try perhaps. Who knows!