A NATURE hide for watching wildlife has been installed at a North-East beauty spot.

embers of the public can now enjoy observing birds and animals in their natural habitat at Kielder Water and Forest Park in Northumberland.

Bakethin Hide, which was officially opened on Thursday, has been designed and built by Newcastle University architecture students.

The timber-built hide took several months to design and build and has two separate rooms that are fully accessible to people of all ages.

Each room offers a different view towards the lake and forest and a slightly different viewing experience for visitors.

It has been funded through a £336,300 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) with financial support from Northumbrian Water.

Ivor Crowther, head of HLF North-East, said: "A fantastic range of partners, students and volunteers have put in a lot of hard work and we look forward to seeing the benefits for those who already love Kielder’s wildlife and the new audiences who are yet to discover it."

The Lake View room gives the more experienced birdwatcher a slightly elevated view of the osprey nesting pole and upper lake and it is hoped that ospreys will use this pole to nest in future years.

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

Each room contains information boards and beyond the hide two screening walls extend along the lakeside and into the forest – reducing the impact of visitors on the wildlife and helping to provide an undisturbed viewing experience from the hide itself.

Professor Graham Farmer, director of architecture at Newcastle University, said: "The quality of the finished structure is testament to their commitment and enthusiasm for the project."