About the reserve

All of Fontburn Reservoir, which was built in 1905, is designated as a local wildlife site. It provides a home to a wide variety of species of conservation concern, including red squirrel, badger, roe deer and stoat.

The popular fishery, holds both rainbow and brown trout, but the main area of wildlife interest managed by NWT in partnership with Northumbrian Water, is the Conservation Area immediately north of the reservoir. This area of wetland, scrub and grassland attracts a variety of bird and insect life, especially migrant songbirds such as redstart. It is also an important place for reptiles, with common lizard, adder, slow worm all recorded here recently and historical records of grass snake.

Toilets and shop selling light refreshments are available in the visitor centre on the south shore. Click here for opening times.

Learn more about the Northumberland Wildlife Trust and Northumbrian Water Environmental Partnership here.