Low Barns visitor centre. (c) Laura Beasley
Low Barns
As you arrive at Low Barns Nature Reserve you are greeted by a series of old farm buildings, over the 50+ years of Durham Wildlife Trust’s management of the site, these old barns have been converted and adapted to become Low Barns Visitor Centre. The visitor centre houses a coffee shop, providing visitors with a welcome cup of tea or coffee, cake or some hot food while our team of ambassadors can give information about the reserve’s wildlife. Visitors to the centre can also browse our range of nature-themed shop items, including logs and charcoal produced sustainably by the Trust on-site - a by-product of our conservation work at Low Barns and neighbouring reserves.
About Low Barns Nature Reserve
One of our region’s most important wildlife sites, this wetland reserve, bordered by the River Wear, also contains mixed woodlands and species rich grasslands.
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 Durham Wildlife Trust members are able to purchase a key so that they can access the site out of hours when the wildlife is at its best.
Open water at Low Barns reed bed boardwalk
Reedbed boardwalk
Low Barns Coffee Shop (c) Laura Beasley
Low Barns Coffee Shop
The River Wear borders the reserve
Planning your visit
The Nature Reserve is open 7 days a week, including bank holidays. Christmas opening hours are published in December.*
Low Barns Nature Reserve
Witton-le-Wear
Bishop Auckland
Co. Durham
DL14 0AG
0191 584 3112
Access: 9.30 am – 4.30 pm
Coffee Shop: 10.00 am – 4.00 pm *check our latest covid-19 update here.
We’re dog friendly! Well behaved humans & dogs are welcome inside our Visitor Centre and Coffee Shop.
Access to Low Barns Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre is free but non-members are asked to make a donation for car parking. Visitors are welcome to make use of our mobility scooter. To book the mobility scooter please call us on 0191 584 3112.
For details about hiring Low Barns Visitor Centre for your event, please email bookings@durhamwt.co.uk
Low Barns visitor centre. (c) Laura Beasley
Low Barns Coffee Shop (c) Laura Beasley
Low Barns coffee shop (c) Laura Beasley
Low Barns coffee shop (c) Laura Beasley
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Children at education session, bug hunting in meadow.
Children from Rowley View Nursery School participating in the Moorcroft Environmental Centre Forest School, Moorcroft Wood, Moxley, Walsall, West Midlands, July 2011 - Paul Harris/2020VISION
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The Low Barns Visitor Centre underwent improvement works in 2019, thanks to funding from North Pennine Dales LEADER and the Weardale Area Action Partnership. It now has a new pedestrianised outdoor seating area, an improved shop area and a large community space that can be used for education, meetings and events. Work has been carried out to improve the observation tower and add bird boxes all to its exterior and a new bird hide has been installed near the lake. Our fundraising continues and if you wish to donate to help fund further work, please visit www.durhamwt.com/donate