A turf-roofed bird hide at the end of a boardwalk through meadow grass and flowers

Dubwath Silver Meadows

Seven hectares of wetland at the northern end of Bassenthwaite Lake, with boardwalk, willow hides and — if you are quiet enough — red squirrels at the feeders.

The reserve

Dubwath Silver Meadows (what3words: spout.culminate.fondest) was created as part of the Heritage Lottery funded Bassenthwaite Reflections programme. The seven-hectare wetland was once part of Bassenthwaite Lake itself, and is now home to a range of wetland flora and fauna.

A 900-metre gravel path links to 1,500 metres of recycled plastic boardwalk, laid out to reach the viewing points and bird hides. The round celtic-style hides are built from local materials gathered in the coppice woodlands and reed beds around the site.

A boardwalk curving through marsh grass between silver birches with fells beyond

What you might see

Walk through living willow hides and stop at the replica celtic and norse shelters. Look for the rare plants and the ordinary ones, and for the birds:

  • Grasshopper warbler
  • Curlew
  • Greylag geese
  • Reed bunting
  • Meadow pipit

If you are quiet you may come across the resident roe deer, and if you are quiet and patient you may find red squirrels at the hazelnut feeders. Come at night and there may be a badger.

Reeds and rough grass along the edge of a tarn with a ridge of fells behind

Visiting

The reserve is at the northern end of Bassenthwaite Lake, near Bassenthwaite village. Opening arrangements and access are on the reserve’s own site.

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