Northumberland Wildlife Trust reserve · Amble, Northumberland

Hauxley birdwatching guide

Hauxley is a former opencast coal site rebuilt as a freshwater lake ringed by hides, sitting just behind the dunes of Druridge Bay. An earth-sheltered visitor centre and level paths make it one of the most comfortable places in Northumberland to watch wildfowl, and the coast path outside the reserve adds sea-watching to the same visit.

Key facts

Habitat: wetland
Size: Not recorded
Entry fee (adult): Free
Entry fee (child): Free
Membership required: No
Hides: 6
Wheelchair access: Yes
Car park: Yes
Car park to hides: 150m on level gravel paths from the visitor centre
Toilets: Yes
Dogs: Not allowed
Status: open
Best seasons: autumn, winter, spring

Species by season

Season	Species	Likelihood	Notes
autumn	Barn Owl (Tyto alba)	occasional	Hunts the rough grassland at dusk
autumn	Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)	occasional	—
winter	Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)	common	—
winter	Teal (Anas crecca)	common	—

Hides at Hauxley

Ponteland Hide

step-free

West over the main lake

Often seen: Lapwing, Teal

Wader Hide

step-free

North over the shallow scrape

Often seen: Lapwing

Getting there

Amble, Northumberland

View on OpenStreetMap · Official website

Facilities & opening

Centre and reserve daily 9am–5:30pm; café 10am–4:30pm

Frequently asked questions

Is Hauxley suitable for wheelchair users?

Yes — the visitor centre, main path and the principal hides are step-free, and the circuit around the lake is surfaced throughout.

Explore more

Information last updated 25 July 2026.