Moorlands Nature Reserve

Originally purchased by the Tew family in 1900, Mr Tew planted a Victorian woodland garden in keeping with the times beside Moorlands House. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust purchased Moorlands in 1955 following a successful public appeal that raised the £500 needed to make it their second nature reserve.

There is a mix of native and non-native trees, colourful azaleas and rhododendrons and planted narcissi and daffodils making Moorlands a very special reserve, if very different species wise from the majority of the Trust’s reserve in maintaining non-native species. Trees of interest include a dawn redwood, native to China it resembles a giant redwood with scaly red bark and fresh green leaves that turn an orange-red in the autumn. There is also a native rowan tree which displays beautiful creamy coloured blossoms in May, and golden leaves in the autumn. In addition a snake bark maple, ancient beech and many maples can also be seen on the reserve.

Several beautiful shrubs can be found under the tree canopy including tree hydrangea, foxgloves and of course the rhododendrons. There are ten rhododendron species of particular note on the reserve including the Hybrid Loderi King George that has been on the reserve since World War II. A family favourite Moorlands is also a great spot for an afternoon out for all with a fabulous tree house bird hide and small ponds with dipping platform from which to watch out for frogs, dragonflies and pond skaters. Over fifty bird species have been recorded on the reserve, and include common visitors such as treecreepers and nuthatches running up tree trunks in search of insects to eat, breeding tits, and summer visitors such as chiffchaffs and willow warblers. Mammals on the reserve include bank voles, roe deer, foxes and badgers.

Management on the reserve aims on keeping the paths safe and accessible to all visitors and to control invasive Rhododendron ponticum and Himalayan balsam.

Directions

The reserve is about five-and-a half miles north of York. To approach from York, take the A19 Thirsk road for about three-and-a-half miles to Skelton. Turn right off the A19, continue through the village and the reserve is another two miles further on, on the left. Parking is allowed on the verge near the entrance gate. An easy access footpath suitable for less able visitors has been provided.