Moorlands Nature Reserve
For visitor safety reasons several dead and dying trees have needed to be cut from the marshy area near to the pond on the reserve. This is the conclusion of a programme of tree safety work and the felling was assessed and undertaken by professional arboricultural contractors.
Over the coming weeks our volunteers will be creating habitat piles from the smaller branches, while the large logs will be left to gradually rot down and make a home for woodland insects and fungi.
Location
OS Map Reference
SE579587
Know before you go
Entry fee
FreeParking information
Parking is allowed on the verge near the entrance gate but space is limited.Walking trails
Permissive footpaths and wooden sculpture & nature trail
Access
Access through gates off Moor Lane. Permissive footpaths may be muddy. Accessible for wheelchair users and pushchairs.
Dogs
When to visit
Opening times
Open at all timesBest time to visit
June to September
About
Moorlands is a beautiful small woodland with the additional attraction of spectacular collection of rhododendrons and azaleas, some of which are very old, large and unusual. These provide a succession of flowers from March to the end of June accompanied by a carpet of snowdrop, bluebell, primrose and wood sorrel.
The wealth of trees and flowering plants in turn attract many species of bird and mammal. A number of bat boxes have been erected and these have been successfully used by common pipistrelle and brown long-eared bats, with soprano pipistrelle, Brandt's and Daubenton's bats having also been recorded within the nature reserve.
From the tree house a great variety of woodland birds, including great spotted woodpecker, nuthatch and a variety of tits can be observed as they visit the feeders. Woodcock are occasionally seen during autumn, which is also an ideal time to find amazing fungi during a stroll through the leaf litter. The trees are a source of great pleasure with some mature native species growing alongside the more unusual snakebark maple, magnolias and two dawn redwoods. There are two small ponds, the first of which has a large dipping platform to provide much interest to anyone with a net. A third secluded pond helps to feed to other ponds via a dyke.
Wooden sculptures and a nature trail, with waymarkers depicting the species found in the woodland can be enjoyed by families thanks to funding from Yorventure.
Seasonal highlights
- Spring: Plants - Primrose; Cuckooflower; Marsh marigold; Rododendrons; Azaleas
- Summer: Plants - Woodland ferns; Foxglove; Invertebrates - Common blue damselfly; Speckled wood; Mammals - Brown long-eared bat
- Autumn: Fungi; Plants - Maple; Birds - Nuthatch
- Winter: Birds - Woodcock; Great spotted woodpecker
History
Mr Edward Grosvenor Tew bought Moorlands House and estate in 1909 and planted many of the rhododendrons and azaleas. The estate was then acquired by the Retreat in York for use as a hospital in 1940, before selling 17 acres to become Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's second nature reserve in 1955. Management of the site aims to both preserve the special character of the garden and to encourage native wildlife within the nature reserve.
Directions
Public transport
Buses using the A19 stop in Skelton.
By car
The nature reserve is about 5 and a half miles north of York. From York, take the A19 Thirsk road for about 3 and a half miles to Skelton. Turn right off the A19, continue through the village and the nature reserve is another 2 miles further on, on the left of the road. Parking is allowed on the verge near the entrance gate.
