Big Waters Nature Reserve - Newcastle upon Tyne

terri M.

One of mine and my kids favourite accessible northeast nature reserves. Daughter uses a wheelchair so accessibility is a must for us. Big waters is a Really lovely place. Shame to see on this times visit that there's a lot of dog waste being left around though. And directly on the paths aswell. Didn't notice any dog waste bins around or even in the carpark, so maybe this is why, although it's never been an issue in the past so not sure.
Always amazed at the size of the pine cones in a certain patch of trees here. They're fabulous! Can see them in the pics, they Will be dropping soon so if you do crafts with them or even harvest the seeds/replant them or just love collecting this sort of thing I highly recommend a visit 😁 Unfortunately the little paddling spots have all dried up due to the recent spates of hot weather we've had and due to that they've all also overgrown with plants now too. Doesn't take away from the beauty of the place but you can really see how much nature is struggling with the lack of rain 😢 despite this, we will be back and hopefully the dog walkers will have been more considerate by next times visit. PICK UP YOUR DOGS POO!!!

Scott

First time here. The road down to the carpark is full of big pot holes and speed bumps.
You have a large carpark that is free to use. And you also have a small carpark right next to the entrance.
It's free to park and free entry.
There's alot of different tracks you can take to walk.
Becareful as you do have ducks on and around the water.

Corrine B.

Really a nice place to visit, lovely walks around part of the lake, there's a lots of swans & ducks. There are some benches so you can seat down & enjoy the view.
If you use google maps asks for the free parking, & then you can get to the lake no problem.

Anne ?. S.

Big Waters Nature Reserve is just off Sandy Lane down a little lane way; a brown sign points to the direction.
I would of gave 5 stars if there were more bins,as there was some rubbish around and being a Northumberland wildlife Trust too.
There is a small ,but lovely disabled friendly path that goes past the lake.
Would be nice if there were boards highlighting what wildlife comwildlcomes to this lake.
I & my partner were in awe as we see hundreds of geese too.
Lots of different birds, that we spent an hour and a half by thr lake.
Beautiful weather too,being 19th September.
There is an ok size car park.
No toilets. Few benches.

Jean P.

The walk around the lake we did was short, but long enough for my 18 mth old Grandson, on a well-kept path and grass area, we saw quite a bit of wildlife on the short walk, ducks, swans, damselfly's and several types of butterfly , overall a well kept nature reserve worth a visit

Sophie T.

Fabulous place for going for a walk or having a picnic near the lakes. I've recently discovered that if you turn left following the car park (signposted Dinnington) you reach a lovely part of the reserve with a paths leading to the Northumbrian Wildlife Trust hides (they are locked but the paths are worth having a look as there are benches, wooden platforms, quieter areas from which you can observe the wildlife). Still on the Dinnington path, if you keep walking you will walk past fields with cute little calves and cows and plump little lamps (season allowing of course). Worth the walk 🙂

Daniel R.

I wonderful place to visit. Lots of wildlife, we saw mainly ducks and geese but we've heard from locals that they've seen otter and deer too! We explored the main area around the lake and also checked out the members area.

We weren't sure at first what was meant by the members hide but upon further investigation they're buildings accessible to members of the Northumberland Wildlife Trust (small subscription fee to join) that give a view over the lake. Once you're a member you need to pick up keys from their office to access them.

Katie M.

Good car park but the road in could be improved, not enough pull in space for cars and the road itself was way too bumpy. Map showing the not to large walking route was spot on and the space looked well cared for. We saw some beautiful dragonfly, stunning colours.