An bespoke wildlife hide located on the south shore of Bakethin Nature Reserve created by students at Newcastle University's School of Architecture working with Northumberland Wildlife Trust and Northumbrian Water to design and build a place to view the abundant wildlife on or near the water.
What 3 Words: manifests.drumbeat.blown
Bakethin Hide is located on the shoreline of Kielder Water, but within the Bakethin Nature Reserve. Access is from the Bakethin Nature Reserve carpark near Kielder village.
Turn off the C200, where Bakethin nature Reserve is signed then take the 2nd right turn to the main carpark where the Welcome Point structure is located. Bakethin Hide is about a 750m walk along the Lakeside Way (south shore) from the carpark.
An alternative parking area for visitors not comfortable with travelling that distance is accessed by taking the 1st right turn after leaving the C200. Bakethin Hide is a 600m walk along the Lakeside Way from this location.
MArch students at Newcastle University School of Architecture were commissioned to develop ideas for a new wildlife hide at Bakethin Conservation Area. The brief was to replace an existing bird hide with a structure that provided for both traditional birdwatchers and family groups. It was also to expand its emphasis from purely birdwatching, to encompass a broader range of wildlife that exists within the forest.
The students worked through 2016 with Northumbrian Wildlife Trust, Northumbrian Water, and Kielder Water & Forest Park Development Trust to develop their brief, submitting a number of potential design options for consideration.
The winning design consisted of a timber construction featuring connected 'lake' and 'forest' pods, faced with charred larch cladding, capped with a growing moss roof and approached via accessible paths from the Lakeside Way.
Bakethin Hide opened to the public in June 2017.
Welcome Point, a structure designed to accompany the hide and provide information and shelter to visitors, is situated in the main Bakethin Nature Reserve car park at the start of the trail leading to Bakethin Hide.