71) Queen Elizebeth II Country Park, Ashington, NE63 9AT.

Route:
My route is around 1.75 miles (circular) around the lake. There are numerous paths leading off the main path- many on short grass. Some leading to a cycleway.

Facilities on site:
The country park is set within many hectares of a former industrial site. The carpark is part tarmac and part gravel.

We were staying at the Premier Inn (Ashington) and used this location to explore further the beautiful Northumberland coast. It would have been rude to not actually explore the nature reserve as it was in such close proximity to our chosen accommodation, indeed the carpark is the same for the hotel and the country park.

We do stay at Travelodges and Premier Inn's often as usually they are well equipped for disabled guests. Our room had a full wet room and was fully accessible. Nextdoor to the hotel is a pub / restaurant that is open from 07:00 till midnight. Excellent disabled facilities and quite good value for money across the whole menu. No charge for parking in the carpark.

Premier Inn do allow service / guide dogs to stay. The Country Park is dog and wheelchair friendly.

https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Local/Country-parks-visitor-centres-coastal-sitesPubl/Queen-Elizabeth-II-Country-Park.aspx

Terrain:
Paths, grass paths, woodland, lake side with some wooden stages - though I didn't use or venture to these.
No steps or narrow gates.

About the nature reserve:
The site is on the grounds of the former Woodhorn Colliery, this operated from 1894 and closed in 1981. Since closing the grounds have been re-wilded with a 16 hectare lake being the centre piece. Marsh, reed bed and woodland now occupy the site. There is also a museum in part of the country park and a miniature railway ( that operates in the summer). 

What can you see?
Lots / many types of water fowl, geese, duck, waders, swans, Cormorant, Kingfisher, Buzzards, kestrel.
We also saw a few Water Voles which is quite a rare thing to see sadly these days. We also saw many woodland birds, inc Bullfinch, Robin and other species.