Top 5 Lakes around Coxhoe

The lakes around Coxhoe are rich in wildlife. At Brasside Pond, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, you can observe important breeding sites for wildfowl. Low Barns Nature Reserve is renowned for diverse birdlife, including kingfishers and overwintering bitterns, and you might also spot otters, roe deer, and various insects. The reservoirs like Waskerley and Smiddy Shaw are excellent for moorland birds such as red grouse, golden plover, lapwing, and raptors like merlin.

Yes, several lakes offer family-friendly environments and amenities. Hardwick Park Tower and Lake is ideal, featuring a children's playground and a cafe. Hetton Lyons Lake, within a country park, also has a cafe and is centered around a water sports lake. Coxhoe Park within the village has a wildlife pond and informal play areas.

Low Barns Nature Reserve near Witton-le-Wear offers well-maintained paths and boardwalks, ensuring accessibility for all visitors, including those with limited mobility. Hardwick Park Tower and Lake also features generally flat terrain, making it easy to stroll around.

Many areas are dog-friendly, but often require dogs to be on leads. For example, at Hardwick Park Tower and Lake, dogs are welcome but must be kept on leads. Always check local signage for specific rules at each location.

For walking, the well-maintained paths at Low Barns Nature Reserve are excellent. The Waskerley Way, a disused railway path near Waskerley Reservoir, provides a route for both walkers and cyclists with dramatic views. For more cycling options, you can explore routes like the 'Seven Stars Pub, Shincliffe loop from Durham Gate' or 'Croxdale Hall Gravel Route' which are part of the wider network around Coxhoe. Find more details on these routes in the Road Cycling Routes around Coxhoe and Cycling around Coxhoe guides.

Yes, Hetton Lyons Lake is set within a country park that was once a coal mine, operating for almost 130 years. Low Barns Nature Reserve was a sand and gravel extraction site before its restoration. The reservoirs like Hisehope, Waskerley, and Smiddy Shaw were constructed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and Smiddy Shaw is known for petrified trees visible when water levels are low. Hisehope Reservoir was completed in 1906.

The lakes offer beauty year-round. For birdwatching, Low Barns Nature Reserve is excellent throughout the year, especially for overwintering birds. The heather-dominated grouse moors surrounding Hisehope, Waskerley, and Smiddy Shaw Reservoirs are particularly picturesque when the heather is in bloom in August and September. Summer days are pleasant for picnics at spots like Hurworth Burn Reservoir.

Facilities vary by location. Hardwick Park Tower and Lake offers a cafe and a children's playground. Hetton Lyons Lake also has a cafe within its Springboard Adventure centre. Low Barns Nature Reserve features a visitor centre with a coffee shop and bird hides.

Yes, fishing is available at some of the reservoirs. Waskerley Reservoir, for instance, is home to rainbow and brown trout. Access to fishing at these reservoirs may be restricted to members and guests of the North West Durham Angling Association.

Visitors appreciate the tranquil settings and opportunities for nature connection. Many enjoy the scenic views over reservoirs and surrounding countryside, such as at Hurworth Burn Reservoir. The easy strolls and family-friendly amenities at places like Hardwick Park Tower and Lake are also highly valued, along with the abundant wildlife spotting opportunities.

Brasside Pond is considered a hidden gem by some, tucked away next to the prison. It consists of two large ponds formed from flooded old clay pits and is an important wildfowl breeding spot. Low Newton Junction Nature Reserve also features a lake with superb views of Durham Cathedral from its top path.

While many lake walks are gentle, the wild moorland landscape around Hisehope, Waskerley, and Smiddy Shaw Reservoirs in the North Pennines offers opportunities for more extensive and challenging walks. For advanced cycling, the 'Jumps and Drops – Hart to Haswell Walkway loop from Thornley' is listed as a difficult route in the Cycling around Coxhoe guide.

While some lakes are popular for water sports or fishing, specific information on designated wild swimming spots is not readily available for the lakes mentioned. It's generally advisable to check local regulations and safety guidelines before attempting wild swimming in any natural body of water.