Grassland Archives - Harrogate & District Naturalists Society

Bishop Monkton Ings

An area of species-rich marshy grasslands and wet broadleaf woodlands. It is on private property.

Brimham Rocks

A cluster of Millstone Grit tors that dominates the local landscape. They are surrounded by a variety of upland plant communities such as dry and wet heath, birch woodland and acid bog.

Burton Leonard Lime Quarries

A disused Magnesian Limestone quarry that supports a mix of limestone grassland, scrub and broadleaved woodland with a rich calcareous flora.

Crimple Valley, Pannal to Spofforth

A mix of farmland, woodland and rough grassland surrounding Crimple Beck. The land is mostly privately owned, but a network of public footpaths runs through the valley.

Farnham Mires

An area of calcareous grassland and marsh overlying Magnesian Limestone.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal

Extensive parkland with many mature specimen trees, ornamental lake and stream.

Greenhow (Duck Street) Quarry

An abandoned limestone quarry that is a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its geological features. It also has a rich limestone grassland flora.

Greenhow Pasture

Neutral grassland pasture on the edge of moorland, with lead mine spoil heaps and hollows hosting interesting flora.

Hay-a-Park Gravel Pits

A large, flooded former gravel pit and several smaller lagoons, with reedbeds, grassland and scrub.

High Batts is mixed woodland and clearings on the bank of the River Ure. It is a private nature reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest. There are three hides, from which members can view the wildlife at the Reserve.

Marfield Wetlands

A former sand and gravel working with lakes, ponds and surrounding fen, wet grassland and woods.

Nosterfield Quarry

Previous gravel workings and surrounding farmland, incorporating Flasks & Kiln Lakes and Nosterfield Reedbed.

Quarry Moor Nature Reserve

On the site of an old Magnesian Limestone quarry, the reserve has interesting unimproved calcareous grassland and geological features.

Ripon Loop

A nature reserve within a large loop of the meandering River Ure.

Rossett Local Nature Reserve

This small urban nature reserve is located off a 400 metre long section of Rossett Drive, adjoining Richmond Avenue. There are several small, weedy ponds, along with some scrub and some grassland. It is a Site of Interest for Nature Conservation for its amphibians, particularly a breeding colony of Great Crested Newt.

Spa Gill Wood

The wooded valley of the River Skell as it flows towards Fountains Bridge has wet woodland and grasslands.

Staveley Nature Reserve

Two large, flooded former gravel pits, fringed with rushes, along with several small pools and drainage channels. Some extensive grassland and small areas of woodland.

Sylvan Nature Reserve

A recently planted woodland on the bank of River Nidd.

Upper Nidderdale

The upper reaches of the River Nidd and valley, with rough pasture, woodland, many exposed outcrops of limestone and entrances to cave systems, such as Goyden Pot

Aubert Ings

One of the few remaining hay meadows in our area, which is managed for the production of an annual hay crop. It lies within a loop of the River Nidd near Cattal.

Bishop Monkton Railway Cutting

Part of the disused London and North East Railway where it cuts through the Magnesian limestone. The unimproved calcareous grassland of this sheltered site is rich in insect life.

Brown Bank Road Verge

This and the adjacent verge of Broad Dubb Road on Sandwith Moor support species-rich heathland with scattered scrub and mire which are good for wildflowers and insects.

Coal Bank Wood, Mickley

Small woodland over limestone with wet woodland, fens, flushes and marshes

Coldstones Cut & Toft Gate Lime Kiln

Abandoned lead mine with spoil heaps and limestone grassland.

Ellington Banks

A very interesting site used as a military training area, with limestone grassland, scrub woodland and pools.

Farnham Road verge

The roadside verge of Farnham Road has a rich limestone grassland flora

Grange Quarry Wood

Mixed woodland, mostly deciduous. The rocky Oak Beck runs the full length of the site. There are two grassy meadows and some outcrops of Millstone Grit.

Greenhow Hill

An area rich in limestone grassland and old quarries.

Haverah Park & Beaver Dyke Reservoir

Mixed farmland and the small Beaver Dyke Reservoir (also called John o’ Gaunt’s Reservoir due to the proximity of John o’ Gaunt’s Castle ). There is a path around the reservoir taking in the pathway over the dam. Two benches on the north side offer a good vantage point over the water (there is no access to the water’s edge). The larger lower reservoir was drained in 2015.

Hell Wath Local Nature Reserve

Ancient woodland, grassland and river habitats

Leighton and Roundhill Reservoirs

Two reservoirs that host a selection of waterfowl in the winter.

Nosterfield Local Nature Reserve

Originally a gravel quarry, the site has wet grassland and lakes over magnesian limestone. Three birds hides are open during daylight working hours.

Paddy Wood, River Laver

A small, private woodland nature reserve by the River Laver

Ripon City Wetlands

Recently acquired by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, this area of lakes (former gravel workings) and surrounding reedbeds is a favourite birdwatching site.

Ripon Parks

A military training ground with no access but it can be viewed from the Public Rights of Way.

Scar House & Angram Reservoirs

Two large reservoirs and surrounding boulder-strewn hillsides with rough grassland and moorland on the higher slopes. There is some mixed woodland below Scar House dam.

Stainburn Moor

The large conifer plantation has been part felled, creating a substantial area of stumps, rotting branches and coarse grass. The plantation is surrounded by sheep pasture and heather moorland. Little Almscliffe Crag, a millstone grit outcrop, is nearby.

Location Habitat: Grassland

Search by Habitat

Search by Wildlife

Members Area

Trip Reports

Latest News