New badger hide opens in Lake District

The hide has opened at Haweswater

A new, accessible badger hide has opened in the Lake District.

The hide, which has wheelchair access, opened on Tuesday at Wild Haweswater, near Penrith.

It was created by RSPB volunteers through the winter at a location popular with the elusive animals and to be ready ahead of the summer season.

It replaces a previous hide, located next to a traditional Cumbrian spinning barn, that had been open since 2019.

The old hide is being renovated to create an indoor space for groups visiting Wild Haweswater.

The new facility has lighting and will provide nature enthusiasts with an an opportunity to spot and photograph the animals as they emerge for their nightly foraging.

'Magical experience'

Annabel Rushton, RSPB visitor experience manager at Wild Haweswater, said due to badgers' night time activity, often people have never seen one.

"Our new hide has been built overlooking an area that is already frequented by badgers, so we know it will offer visitors the very best views of these secretive mammals.

"This is all about giving the public a unique nature experience, with one of the UK's most iconic but secretive mammals.

"To see these beautiful creatures up close - they can come within a metre of the hide - is a truly magical experience.”

The project is being funded through Icthius Trust.