VISITORS to Kielder Water and Forest Park can enjoy the wonders of nature from a brand new nature hide, designed and built by Newcastle University students.

Bakethin Hide, which was designed by architecture students from the university, was officially opened to the public on July 20.

The project was funded through a £336,300 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund together with financial support from Northumbrian Water, as part of the Living Wild at Kielder project, which aims to reconnect people with wildlife.

Nine students were the core group working on the hide and were supported by employees and technicians at the architecture school, partner organisations and Northumberland Wildlife Trust employees and volunteers.

The timber-built hide took several months to design and build and has two fully-accessible rooms which each offer a different view of the lake and forest.

The lake view room gives experienced birdwatchers a slightly elevated view of the osprey nesting pole, where it is hoped that ospreys will nest in future years, as well as the upper lake.

The second, lower space gives full views of the lake and into the forest.

Director of the Kielder Water & Forest Park Development Trust Lynn Turner said: “We are delighted to launch the new Bakethin Hide at Kielder. It’s been a fantastic project to work on and be part of and we have loved working closely with the students and our partners on it.

“We feel it will be of a huge benefit to the local community and visitors and will provide a fantastic vantage point for nature lovers for years to come.”

Director of architecture at Newcastle University, Professor Graham Farmer , said: “The completion of Bakethin Hide demonstrates the school’s ongoing commitment to offering an architectural education that provides opportunities for students to learn by doing.

“The quality of the finished structure is testament to their commitment and enthusiasm for the project.”