Kelly

Our Guide to Gosforth Nature Reserve

We headed to Gosforth Nature Reserve today and I am so glad that we did!

At the start of the year we wrote our to do list (Kind of like a bucket list) and one of the things we want to do this year is to get out and walk more. You can find a brand new section on this website titled Walks & Trails if you are looking for some inspiration.

For more great ideas, check us out on Facebook, Instagram or twitter

Today we headed to Gosforth Nature Reserve, not somewhere we had been before and I am glad we went along because it is definitely somewhere that we will be adding to our regular walks. We have now taken out membership so we can enjoy visits throughout the year...

First opened in 1929 as a bird sanctuary, originally part of Killingworth moor. Newcastle races were held here in the 17th Century.

In 1733-1802 Charles Branding bought the land and created Gosforth Park as the grounds to his Mansion Gosforth House. George Stephenson has also been reported to have enjoyed visiting Gosforth Park Lake to fish at night.

It is now 60 hectares of open water, reedbeds, woodland and grassland bursting with nature, right in the urban setting surrounding the reserve, with over 1600 species now been reported here.

Parking is limited and found in the layby just outside of the reserve, you can find bike racks if you want to ride to the reserve instead. Alternatively you can find public transport info HERE

When you arrive, head to the visitors hub to check in and grab a map then you can decide which route is best for you to take. Staff here are lovely and take the time to chat and get to know you. I was pleased to here that they are developing a Home Ed programme which sounds fab.

You can find 3 hides including the Matthew Ridley Hide which is massive and has cushions to sit on while you watch the wildlife.

Gosforth Nature Reserve is not for those with mobility issues and I would suggest an off road pushchair, as the terrain can be difficult in places with mud, steep sections, unsurfaced trails, small trip hazards and we would highly recommend wearing wellies or sturdy walking boots. We took the longer path and spent around 2 hours here in total but we did stop quite often to just listen to the birds and look around. You will will find so much to look at here, today we spotted various wildlife such as blackbirds, woodpecker, squirrels, signs of owls, Deer droppings and lots more. We always take along a tree spotter guide and if you love trees, like we do you wont be disappointed here as there are loads of species to look at.

We followed the trail around, which we found fairly easy but we do get out and about quite a bit and we are used to all types of terrain. There are quite a few bridges to cross but just little ones and there's also an interesting reedbed walkway which we loved.

You can find toilets at the visitors hub or along the main route you will find an eco toilet.