Rob Stoneman
Low Wood is an attractive, secluded woodland which is notable for its beautiful spring displays of bluebell and foxglove, coupled with occasional sightings of badger and roe deer. Beside the canal, Low Wood provides a pleasant oasis away from the noise of the Keighley urban area.
Beautifully carpeted with bluebells in spring, this broadleaved woodland is also home to a wide range of fungi (over 36 species), together with the usual range of birds and plants.
Some of the birds that you might be lucky to encounter on a visit to the woodland include blackcap, great spotted woodpecker, tawny owl, treecreeper and nuthatch. Three species of bat also make this nature reserve their home.
Top Tip:
If you want to get away from the noise of the town then this is a secluded woodland retreat. The bluebells are not to be missed, badger viewing is a thrill and there is the experience of listening to the wood going to sleep at night in any season.
The woodland is steeply sloping with evidence of glacial melt water erosion of the millstone grit series forming cliffs towards the top. There is a footpath encircling the wood but the upper parts are steep and require care and energy. The views from the top are excellent.
The woodland is managed through the hard work of volunteers and over the last seven years self-seeded sycamore have been removed from the wood to favour the indigenous species such as oak, birch and rowan in the canopy, with holly, hawthorn and hazel in the understory. Glades have been created within the woodland and these help to encourage butterflies such as speckled wood; management of the dense carpet of bracken has allowed successful re-establishment of ground flora. The small pond within the site is used by amphibians, including common frogs which congregate in numbers in early spring.
Discover Yorkshire’s Wildlife
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Discover Yorkshire’s Wildlife book, which has detailed information on all of Yorkshire Wildlife and Sheffield Wildlife Trust’s reserves, is available to buy now from our online shop.
Public Transport
The bus service from Bradford to Keighley stops at Grange Road, Riddlesden. The nearest train station is located in Keighley. Cycle and footpath access is gained by following the towpath of the Leeds – Liverpool canal going northwards to Booth’s Bridge.
Directions
The nature reserve is located alongside the Leeds-Liverpool canal just below the Riddlesden Golf Course. This is reached by continuing along the unmade track from the end of Scott Lane West as far as the golf course club house (about 0.75 miles) then turning down by the canal where there is a small area for parking. Access is gained by a small gate, which is signed Private Scout Activity Centre. Keeping to the path, pass through the Scout wood to the nature reserve beyond.
Want to see more of Low Wood Nature Reserve before your visit? Have a look below.
Low Wood Nature Reserve photos in our Flickr group
Species and habitats
- Habitats
- Woodland
- Species
- Bluebell, Foxglove, Mute Swan, Mallard, Moorhen, Grey Heron, Woodcock, Cuckoo, Little Owl, Tawny Owl, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Wood Warbler, Redwing, Pied Flycatcher, Siskin, Common Frog, Common Toad, Common Lizard, Roe Deer, Badger, Red Fox, Bank Vole, Field Vole, Wood Mouse, Water Shrew, Common Shrew
Nearby nature reserves
- Upper Coldwell Reservoir
- 11 miles - The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside
- Broadhead Clough Nature Reserve
- 12 miles - Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
- Adel Dam Nature Reserve
- 14 miles - Yorkshire Wildlife Trust