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You are here > Home > Things to Do > Low Barns Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre

Low Barns Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre

Durham Wildlife Trust
Witton-le-Wear
County Durham
DL14 0AG

Tel: +44 0191 584 3112

Email

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Add Low Barns Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre to your Itinerary

Low Barns Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre
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About

The reserve is now a Site of Special Scientific Interest and has become important for wildlife due to the wide range of habitats including wet woodland, grassland, open water and river side, which are home to many different types of birds, mammals, plants and insects.

However, Low Barns has not always been a haven for local wildlife. Originally farmland, the site underwent sand and gravel extraction until 1964 when the area was given to Durham Wildlife Trust and restored as a nature reserve. In 2003 a redundant sewage treatment works on the site was replaced with a new reedbed habitat and a boardwalk which enabled public access with minimal disturbance to wildlife.

The site’s flat terrain and large accessible bird hides make it an ideal place to visit for everyone.

There are three lakes and interconnecting streams, a number of mature ponds with extensive reedbeds and a wet pasture. The small ponds on the reserve are excellent for viewing damselflies and dragonflies such as the striking southern hawker, and also support amphibians such as common frog and smooth newt. The lakes and open water support good numbers of wildfowl, including overwintering bittern, and kingfishers are regularly seen.

The woodlands and grasslands on site add to the diversity of bird life throughout the year, from spectacular displays by flocks of roosting starlings to snipe, flycatchers and tawny owls.

There are several very well appointed bird hides across the reserve that are open to all visitors, and DWT members are able to purchase a key so that they can access the site out of hours when the wildlife is at its best.

Patient visitors may be rewarded by sightings of otter, fox, roe deer and stoat. Plant life is extremely rich and too numerous to list but as a result there are good numbers of butterflies on site, including dingy skipper and small copper.

The reserve, a great place to visit, has flat terrain and a network of surfaced pathways linking the bird hides allowing easy access for all visitors. The visitor centre on the site offers a coffee shop, web cam viewing of the bird feeders, wildlife photography displays, and local crafts. A great place to visit at any time of year.

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Entrance to the reserve is free but we suggest a donation of £2.50 for parking for non-Durham Wildlife Trust members.

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

4.5 of 5 stars
92 reviews
    • Excellent
      60
    • Very Good
      26
    • Average
      4
    • Poor
      1
    • Terrible
      1

    Recent Reviews:

    • I7650FHtabithas
      Trip Type:
      Family
      Disappointing
      3 of 5 stars
      Monday, 21st March 2022
      I've been to low barns lots of times. Great little nature reserve to visit and usually fairly quiet. For a long time over the pandemic the cafe was just a hatch and outside tables but I am very... Read full review
    • boyd1952
      Newton Aycliffe, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Friends getaway
      Quiet, peaceful environment.
      5 of 5 stars
      Sunday, 17th April 2022
      Not a large Nature Reserve nice walk on a well laid path & route. Plenty of bird hides for the bird watchers. Circular walk & nice to walk one way then turn & repeat the opposite way as things do... Read full review
    • MinnieMinx67
      Durham, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Couples
      Delightful Place and Lovely Staff
      5 of 5 stars
      Sunday, 2nd October 2022
      We always enjoy a trip here. Well-kept surroundings and friendly staff. Always interesting things to see. Read full review
    Write a review
    © TripAdvisor 2023

    Access Information

    Opening Times

    2023 (1 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2023)

    * Car park barriers now open from 9.30 – 16:30 – Visitor Centre, office and café still closed.

    facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DurhamWildlifeTrust/

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