Gallows Hill is a peaceful and increasingly diverse place, situated along a stretch of the River Wharfe in Otley. It is a habitat for a great many species of wildlife, most notably the Common Toads which can be found in the pond in large numbers. Look out for the pond where you may see a flash of blue as a kingfisher flies over the water.
The Friends of Gallows Hill help maintain the area, keeping the pushchair friendly riverside path from overgrowth and planting numerous trees over the years, including cherry, ash, hawthorn and hazel. The flat path guides you around the central lake, passing the community orchard, the pond and the river before heading back to the car park or into Wharfe Meadows Park. We spent approx 45 minutes with numerous stops for wildlife spotting.
Pool Rd, Otley LS21 1HL
Opposite Golden Acre Park, Adel Dam has been open to the public since it became a Yorkshire Wildlife Trust nature reserve. The circular fern-lined path, winds in an impressive loop through the wet and dry woodlands, where you’ll have the chance to see badgers, roe deer, foxes and kingfishers to name a few.
The route is great for little legs, the paths are level and easy going up until the first hide (Marsh Hide), this section is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The remainder of the circuit is a more natural uneven surface, including steps, bridges and narrow points. Some areas do get boggy so suitable footwear is required and you are required to stick to the paths.
It can be accessed through Golden Ace Park. Instead of walking across the new wooden bridge at the back of the lake verve down to the left and enter the nature reserve through the gate.
Golden Acre Park, Otley Road, Bramhope
Rawdon Billing is a tree-topped hill, the remains of a quarry, as well as concrete foundations for World War II defensive installations, can be found near the top. A number of local footpaths cross the Billing or near to it, and it is possible to see many landmarks on a clear day, including York Minster, with a very good view of aircraft entering and leaving Leeds Bradford International Airport.
It is owned by the Rawdon Trust, land agents for the Emmott family from Lancashire. The Billing is a popular place for local walkers and plane spotters as it overlooks Leeds Bradford Airport. Some areas do get boggy so suitable footwear is required.
Rawdon, LS19 6PR
Alongside the beautiful river Wharfe, the Ben Rhydding Gravel Pits Nature Reserve has a variety of habitats and is a great place to observe birds, plants, butterflies and dragonflies and if you’re really lucky you may even spot an otter which are becoming increasingly common.
Whilst there is interest all the year round the best times are Spring and early Summer where the plants, butterflies and birds are at their best. The famous orchids peak around the 2nd week in June.
The reserve is owned by Bradford Council and has been managed by a small group of volunteers from the Wharfedale Naturalists Society since 2007. With the support of Natural England, the site was declared a Local Nature Reserve in October 2013.
Dogs must be kept under control and on a short lead at all times. The site is level with grass pathways (sometimes muddy) and is accessible for people with limited mobility but is unsuitable for wheelchair users or pushchairs.
A site map can be found here.
Coutances Way, Ilkley LS29 0HD
The seven-acre reserve is situated between the River Aire and the Denso Marston factory in Shipley, West Yorkshire. Created in 1991 on Denso Marston washland for the benefit of wildlife, community enjoyment and education. An urban haven of woodland, meadows and pools with varied wildlife complement the other green areas in the wildlife-rich Aire valley. It is ideally situated as it runs alongside the River Aire and the Leeds Liverpool canal. There is also Buck Woods nearby. Having these habitats nearby means that there is lots of wildlife.
The reserve is open all year round to visitors. Access to the reserve is available down the footpath, which leads from Otley Road opposite St James Church, or along the riverside footpath from Shipley and Esholt.
Appropriate gates are provided to allow wheelchair and pushchair access into the reserve. Some of the main paths are crushed gravel and allow access to parts of the reserve.
Baildon, Shipley BD17 7AX (Please note: The post code is for the Denso Marston factory which is the nearest available to the reserve)
An area surrounded by great natural beauty, including the Leeds-Liverpool canal, the River Aire and the ancient woodland that gave the area its name. A lovely, small nature reserve next to the Hirst locks. It has a large variety of flowers and small shrubs. Plenty of small paths to explore with the kids and a pond to spot frogs, dragonflies and pond skaters.
Shipley BD18 4DD
Much of the site rests on a plateau of fly ash from the former Kirkstall power station which was demolished in the late 1970’s and then used as landfill. The site was capped and seeded with native wildflower species in the 1990s and now forms a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Walking through the reserve, you wouldn’t think you were sandwiched between Kirkstall Road and the railway line. It’s a lovely walk that takes you around the reserve, with a few extras along the way, including the pebble beach.
Most of the paths are pram friendly, although access to the pebble beach is via some steep hill climbs. Spend time on the beach skimming stones and watching the ducks slide down the weir and swim against the current.
The woods boast make-shift dens to play in or improve and there is also a sensory garden.
The reserve is always open, dogs on a lead are welcome.
Redcote Lane, Leeds, LS4 2AL. You’ll find the entrance on the right just before the railway bridges.
