Holywell Pond. Image by: Steven Playle.
Holywell Pond
Due to local lockdown restrictions (18/09/20), we ask that you please do not access the hides on our reserves at present as it is too difficult to ensure social distancing. We're sorry for any inconvenience but it is to ensure public safety at this time.
Location
OS Map Reference
NZ 913 752
Know before you go
Entry fee
NoParking information
Park in the nearby housing estate without obstructing residents' accessGrazing animals
There are sheep occasionally in the field.Walking trails
Paths lead to the members' hide and along the southern boundary to the public hide. There is initially a wide tarmac path which narrows slightly before becoming a gravel path leading to the reserve entrance.
Access
The main access to the reserve is via a public footpath, which leads between the houses at the northern end of East Grange, at the eastern edge of the housing estate. Entrance to the reserve is via a wide 5-bar gate. Parking is limited on the roadside in the housing estate. Terrain is a level, well-surfaced public footpath along the southern perimeter leading to the public hide. A level grass track leads to the locked member-only hide.
Dogs
Facilities
When to visit
Opening times
24/7/365Best time to visit
All year roundAbout the reserve
The site consists of a large subsidence pond surrounded by grassland and some mature and semi-mature areas of woodland and scrub. The pond margins to the west and north are well vegetated with reed mace dominating and the surrounding grassland supports populations of common spotted and northern marsh orchids.
Breeding species include little grebe, pochard, greylag goose and sedge warbler. In winter, widgeon, goldeneye and tufted duck are joined by greenshank, green sandpiper, amongst other rarities.
There are two hides on site, including a public hide 200m right from the gate which is open at all times and a member only hide for which keys can be purchased for £10 from NWT Head Quarters in Gosforth.