The roof of Kingfisher hide at Sprotbrough Flash is currently being repaired. This will be completed by the end of February, but there may be some disruption whilst we work.
Sprotbrough Flash Nature Reserve
Location
OS Map Reference
SE 53627 01339 Woodland entranceSE 53693 01371 Tow path entrance
View on What3Words
Know before you go
Dogs
When to visit
Opening times
Open at all timesBest time to visit
March to JulyAbout the reserve
Gorgeous river walks and much more
There's so much to enjoy at Sprotbrough Flash: a riverside walk along the Don as it passes through the picturesque Don Gorge; close views of wetland wildlife from hides and viewing screens - perhaps a bittern if you're lucky - taking the trail through the extensive ancient woodland, or enjoying a great diversity of wildflowers.
Sprotbrough Flash stands on magnesium limestone, a distinctive geological feature of the formerly quarried landscape, supporting a rich range of characteristic limestone plants including common spotted-orchid, pyramidal orchid, common twayblade, autumn gentian and cowslip.
There's variety in the woodland too, with native trees such as small leaved lime and an impressive avenue of yews.
Immerse yourself in nature
Although it welcomes many visitors, the reserve feels secluded and wild - a place where you can fully immerse yourself in nature and savour the incredible wetland, meadow and woodland wildlife. Don't rush round - take time to linger and explore all the Sprotbrough Flash has to offer.
There are endless possibilities for walkers of most abilities, with many interconnected trails, allowing circular walks on surfaces footpaths or rougher woodland tracks. And you can take in one of the best views anywhere in South Yorkshire.
Environmental designation
History
Magnesian limestone formed in a shallow tropical sea in the Permian period, some 280 million years ago. Now this rare rock type is only found in a narrow band running approximately north-south from Durham to Nottinghamshire. Due to its value as a building material and its many industrial uses, magnesian limestone (dolomite) has been widely quarried in the local area.
Bones found locally indicate that woolly mammoth and woolly rhinoceros lived in the Sprotbrough area during the last Ice Age. When this period ended, approximately 12,000 years ago, water from the melting ice-sheets forced its way through a fault in the elevated limestone ridge, creating the Don Gorge which dominates the local landscape today. Coal mining extended underneath the Don Gorge causing subsidence and then flooding.
The flash (lake) was formed at the start of the 20th century by mining subsidence. The lake was turned into emergency flood storage by the Environment Agency in the 1990s, so the Don can flow into the lake when it is high and water is slowly released back into the river.
The woods were purchased by a nearby quarry with the intention of expanding the quarry. However, this never happened and the site became a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Yorkshire WIldlife Trust nature reserve.
An old area of quarry above the woods was filled in with quarry spil several deaceds ago and is now an area of grassland, and is full of limestone loving plants.
Seasonal highlights
- Spring: Birds - Great crested grebe; Plants - Sanicle; Greater stitchwort; Woodruff; Early purple orchid
- Summer: Invertebrates - Comma; Ruddy darter; Plants - Common spotted orchid; Common twayblade
- Autumn: Plants - Spindle; Small-leaved lime; Birds - Bittern
- Winter: Birds - Kingfisher; Mammals - Brown hare
Directions
Public transport
Sprotbrough village is served by bus services from Doncaster Interchange, while the nearest train station is at Conisbrough, approximately 2 miles to the west of the site. The nature reserve is located on the Trans-Pennine Trail, a long-distance walking and cycling route.
By car
0.5 miles to the south of Sprotbrough village, immediately adjacent to The Boat Inn. Public car parking is available next to the toll house on Nursery Lane, which is a two minute walk along the towpath from the nature reserve.
(c) Rob Stoneman
Great spotted woodpecker © Peter Cairns/2020VISION
Magical Wildlife Moment
Hearing a drumming woodpecker in early spring.
The autumn colours were even more beautiful when the sun came out
Photo Credit - Telling our Story Volunteer, Sara
