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This underground reservoir was built in 1883 for the Leyland Local Board on the east side of Back Lane, Clayton-le-Woods. It was "substantially built of stone rubble in hydraulic mortar, backed with clay puddle, faced internally with brick lining in cement, arched over with brick, and the floor formed of concrete". The capacity was about 300,000 gallons (1,360,000 litres). It was supplied from a well and pumping station on Preston Road. Around 1940, a much larger concrete reservoir was built on the opposite side of Back Lane, and a larger capacity supply was provided from Wheelton. A connection was also made with the Thirlmere Aqueduct.
The original reservoir was retained as a back-up for another 40 years, but then became redundant. The pumping station was converted to offices.
United Utilities obtained planning permission to demolish the reservoir for housing development. Attempts to prevent this were unsuccessful. However, the developer (Kingswood Homes) and the Chorley Historical and Archaeological Society opened the reservoir to the public for 2 weeks in October - November 2013. The above information has been taken from their brochure, which includes an extract from the Preston Guardian 4 August 1883.

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