Low Barns Nature Reserve

Low Barns Nature Reserve Low Barns is a valuable wetland reserve and one of County Durham’s most important wildlife sites, located adjacent to the River Wear.
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Previously farmland and pits, Low Barns is now a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and has been managed by DWT since 1964 when gravel extraction ceased. 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, an

d 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 to the barrier 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.

03/06/2026
An orange-tip butterfly resting on bluebells at Low Barns.😍📷 Caitlin Elwin
12/05/2026

An orange-tip butterfly resting on bluebells at Low Barns.😍
📷 Caitlin Elwin

08/05/2026

Happy 100th Birthday Sir David Attenborough! 🎉🎂

A stunning, sunny day at Low Barns Nature Reserve. ☀️
30/04/2026

A stunning, sunny day at Low Barns Nature Reserve. ☀️

29/04/2026

Thank you to everyone who has supported our Earth Raise campaign. You doubled the difference of your donation and helped us raise more than £20,000 to restore our region’s magnesian limestone grasslands and create much-needed homes for pollinators at risk. 💚

Bluebells at the Barns. 😍📷 Tim Davis
28/04/2026

Bluebells at the Barns. 😍
📷 Tim Davis

23/04/2026

Our Earth Raise appeal has landed! 🦋

Help us to restore the North East’s internationally rare magnesian limestone meadows, and have your donation DOUBLED for a limited time only.

Your gift will help Durham Wildlife Trust to restore habitats, protect threatened butterflies, and connect local communities with these unique grasslands 🪻🌾

You’ll help to enrich wildflower diversity, support vulnerable species and propagate the plants that butterflies and pollinators rely on. Your support also trains and equips more volunteers and strengthens our ability to monitor meadow health across our region 💚

Until the 29th of April, each pound given to our Magical Meadows appeal will make twice the impact on our magnesian limestone reserves!

Donate today at https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05WS00000BuXW1YAN

01/04/2026

Join us for the world's largest bioblitz!
The City Nature Challenge is an annual global event to see how many wild species people can spot over four days. From 24–27 April 2026, every wildlife sighting you record in the free iNaturalist app helps build vital ecological data that supports conservation across the Durham Wildlife Trust patch and beyond.
Find out more 👉 durhamwt.com/city-nature-challenge

30/03/2026
⚒️ Our roof is receiving some vital maintenance!From 2nd to 13th February, we’ll have a team on site completing essentia...
29/01/2026

⚒️ Our roof is receiving some vital maintenance!
From 2nd to 13th February, we’ll have a team on site completing essential work to make the building fit for the future. We’ll keep disruption to a minimum and the coffee shop, visitor centre and wider nature reserve will be open as usual.

Address

Bishop Auckland
Bishop Auckland
DL140AG

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+441915843112

Website

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