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Big Water is a stunning nature reserve situated just outside of Brunswick Village in Seaton Burn, Northumberland. Spanning an impressive 25 hectares, this reserve boasts a range of habitats including open water, reedbeds, wet woodlands, and meadows. Its unique landscape is a stark reminder of the area's mining history, having been formed over collapsed mine workings from the 1920s along the Hartley Burn. While the western section of the reserve is exclusively accessible to members of the Northumberland Wildlife Trust (NWT), the eastern section is managed by Newcastle City Council and is open to the public for recreational purposes. Visitors can traverse the reserve with ease thanks to raised boardwalks that cater to wheelchair and pushchair users, allowing everyone to explore the diverse array of wildlife that calls this place home. Bird enthusiasts will be in their element at Big Water, as the reserve plays host to a variety of avian species including tree sparrows, great tits, blue tits, chaffinches, great crested grebes, mute swans, coots, moorhens, herons, tufted ducks, and occasional visitors like water rails and bitterns. During autumn migration, the reserve serves as a vital roosting site for large flocks of swallows, while also supporting wintering wildfowl. For NWT members, there are two locked bird hides, a bird feeding station, and observation screens available for up-close encounters with the wildlife. Additionally, visitors can enjoy a raised viewing platform and a pond dipping platform within the reserve. It's worth noting that only guide and assistance dogs are permitted in the area, and there may be grazing cows in the surrounding fields. Big Water is open to visitors 24/7 throughout the year, providing ample opportunity for nature lovers to experience its beauty at any time. Whether you're seeking a peaceful walk through serene landscapes or hoping to catch a glimpse of some of the UK's most beloved bird species, this nature reserve offers a truly immersive and unforgettable experience for all who venture there.