Bolam Lake Country Park

Lovely place to spend an hour immersed in nature. This little lake is just a few miles from Belsay Hall and Gardens near Ponteland, in Northumberland. It has a circular walk with compact surfaces (earth or wooden planks) all around the lake amidst woodland and open meadows, where you can watch swans and wildlife. The path is mostly level but at one end it rises and falls for about 500 yards, so the help of a companion is quite advised if on a manual wheelchair. There are panels explaining about wildlife around the lake; there's also a cafe and toilets but we didn't go so we can't say about real accessibility. There are three car parks, depending which direction you're arriving from, but there aren't any specific designated bays.

We parked in the main car park by the cafe - there is a fee for parking. The main path around the lake is well maintained and useable by wheelchair and mobility scooters. There is a lovely large lake with Swans, Herons and many other birds, lots of woodlands and a field area with picnic benches. There is a board walk through part of the woodlands - which is easily used - no steps. There are a few short piers and some are accessible, but not all. The cafe and visitor centre were not open on my visit, and I did not visit the toilet facilities so cannot verify if these are disabled accessible. The visitor centre and cafe are open from 10.30am to 4.30pm at weekends, Bank Holidays and school holidays from Easter to November. From December to Easter it is open from 10.30am but closes earlier at weekends and during school holidays. It is fully accessible. The toilets are located in the Boathouse Wood car park next to the Visitor Centre and are open daily.