Greenlee Lough

A large area which comprises an interesting mix of habitats including shallow waters and wetlands providing a haven for wildfowl and wading birds.

Location

3km north-east of Once Brewed

Once Brewed

Northumberland

OS Map Reference

NY 767 694

Know before you go

Size

90 hectares

Entry fee

Parking information

There is a small permissive car park at Gibbs Hill (NY748692) that gives access to the reserve across rough pasture. Parking is also available in the National Park car park at Steel Rigg (NY752676) and it is possible to walk to Gibbs Hill from here.

Walking trails

There are permissive paths leading to the reserve.

From the north, a path crosses very rough terrain to enter the reserve via a long boardwalk and from the east a public footpath across grassland leads to the edge of the reserve, where it becomes narrow and can be very wet.

Access

Two entrances to the site exist, although all are fairly difficult to access. The first is via a permissive path leading south from the public footpath (along a farm track) between Gibbs Hill and Greenlee Farm (NY758699) – the reserve is entered through a single latch gate. The second is via a public footpath from the east leaving the Pennine Way (NY779706) and entering the reserve through a 5-bar gate. The terrain is generally level within the reserve, but very tussocky grass and marshy ground.

Dogs

On a lead

Facilities

Bird hides

When to visit

Opening times

24/7/365

Best time to visit

All year round

About the reserve

This is one of the Roman Wall Loughs and is managed jointly between Northumberland Wildlife Trust and Northumberland National Park Authority. This National Nature Reserve has a bird hide and boardwalk through the reed beds.

The site contains a mix of habitats beyond the open water of the Lough including carr woodland, bog and grassland. There is a good variety of water plants including 11 species of pondweed and stonewort. Around the margins are areas of reed bed with other plants including bog bean and marsh cinquefoil. The Lough is used extensively by wildfowl and waders, that feed in the shallow waters and wetlands.