How to get there
Big Waters lies on the outskirts of Brunswick Village close to Newcastle Airport. It can be reached by bus number 45 from Newcastle Haymarket Station, getting off on Sandy Lane in Brunswick. If you are coming by car, it is sign posted from Sandy Lane just outside Brunswick. There is a small car park at the reserve entrance with disabled parking bays.
General information
Big Waters covers an area of almost 50 hectares; it is jointly managed by Newcastle Council Ranger Service and the Northumberland Wildlife Trust.
The site includes the lake, streams, ponds, marshland, grassland and woodland. There are facilities for walking, picnicking, fishing, bird watching and nature studies. Visitors wishing to make use of the bird hides must contact Northumberland Wildlife Trust on 0191 2846884. Angling is by permit only, available directly from Big Waters Angling Club or many local tackle shops.
History
The lake was formed in the 1920’s as a result of mining subsidence along Hartley Burn, causing flooding of the surrounding pasture land. It was impounded by tipped colliery shale from Dinnington Colliery which is now Brunswick Industrial Estate.
The reclamation of the site was initially carried out by Northumberland County Council from 1969 to 1974 to a plan produced by the University of Newcastle Landscape Department. The lake was retained and the land stabilised, while the waste was spread, capped with sub-soil and reclaimed to pasture, amenity grassland and mixed plantation.
As part of a study into reclaiming colliery sites Big Water was used by the University for experimental planting to study pasture development and tree growth. This has resulted in a wide variety of trees and flowers being present on the site.
Wildlife
The site lies within a ‘wildlife corridor’ from Hartley Burn to Seaton Burn and is linked to a strategic wildlife corridor which stretches from Gosforth Park to East Wideopen.
The open water is fringed by reeds, swamp and associated fen, backed by areas of herb rich damp grassland.
A wide variety of birds make use of the lake reeds and wetland, including the more common moor hens, coots and swans to seasonal visitors like black terns. The ponds provide a habitat for all three British newt species, invertebrates and small fish.
Around the meadows and reed beds, weasels, stoats, roe deer, fox and mink have all been seen, but Big Waters’ most famous residents are the otters! They can be seen swimming and diving at various time of day so it’s all down to luck when and if you see them.
Events and Activities
A variety of events are held throughout year round by the Rangers or the Wildlife Trust. For more information please contact the Rangers for more details. Alternatively call the Parks and Countryside office 0191 2783089 for a seasonal event leaflets or visit www.newcastle.gov.uk/parks
Contact Details
Mobile Rangers
Heaton Park Depot
Jesmond Vale Lane
Heaton
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE6 5JS Phone: 0191 2656439
email:big.water@newcastle.gov.uk