Visitors to the Lake District will be now be able to visit a pioneering 70-acre (28.33-hectare) nature reserve that has been established at Bassenthwaite Lake.

Dubwath Silver Meadows was opened at the end of September by Lord Inglewood, the site's owner, and is the first wetland reserve of its kind in the area. A new 900m boardwalk made from recycled plastic has been installed at the site, as well as a 600m Honister stone path that will enable visitors to embark on a tour of the wetland on a route that will be accessible for all.

The Special Area of Conservation is already home to some of Britain's most important wildlife, and it is hoped that the reserve will also improve Bassenthwaite's water quality by retaining sediment and floodwater. It is part of the Bassenthwaite Reflections programme, a Heritage Lottery Funded scheme, which is a partnership between a number of environmental organisations, including the Environment Agency, Lake District National Park Authority and the National Trust.