The reserve is managed by Wharfedale Naturalists Society and a team of volunteers. It is not accessible by wheelchair, but with a level riverside path and 4 benches at regular intervals is accessible for someone with a walking frame or pushchair. There is a bus stop is near the garden centre. If the lay-by is full, you are welcome to park in Moss & Moor Garden Centre which has a cafe and toilets for customers. Access to the reserve is via the public footpath you can enter by turning immediately right or follow the footpath down to the river and turning right. The public footpath is on land owned by Ilkley Anglers there is no other public right of way on their land. Dog owners must follow the rules detailed on the signs.
Although I have lived in Ilkley for twenty years, I had never been here. It's a small nature reserve but lovely nevertheless. We were lucky enough to see a kingfisher on our visit as well as lots of dragonflies, various fish and other birds like yellow wagtails. It was peaceful by the river but unfortunately the traffic on the A65 was a bit intrusive at times. We (my wife, dog and I) enjoyed our visit though and I'm sure we shall be back.
I have been many times with my camera over recent years. It's a pleasant flat walk by the river with a few benches, lots of wildlife and wide variety of flora.
Brilliant and accessible nature reserve, always something to see
I have now led four walks from Burley in Wharfedale to Ben Rhydding Gravel Pits nature reserve, two being part of our Burley Summer Festival, and two being part of our regular monthly Sunday morning walks programme. The walks proved very popular with approximately 30 people each time, and the feedback has been superb. In particular people have mentioned the quality and accessibility of the information about plants and trees, birds, insects and animals that our guide on each occasion, Steve Parkes, was able to provide. Providing a new entrance to the reserve for walkers from Burley direction was the icing on the cake in terms of making the reserve more accessible to the village. The nature reserve is now firmly on the map as far Burley is concerned, and we look forward to maintaining regular visits in the future.
We took a group of 16 Scouts to the reserve and with the help of the volunteer warden Steve we observed small mammels which were safely caught and released for conservation studies, built coppice wigwams and helped with a bird watching screen. Steve was excellent with the scouts and the reserve is really beautiful.
A hidden gem. Peace and tranquility at the foot of Ilkley Moor. It's a nice, short, flat walk along the River Wharfe with plenty of wildlife to look at along the way.
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Good for kids
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Although I have lived in Ilkley for twenty years, I had never been here. It's a small nature reserve but lovely nevertheless. We were lucky enough to see a kingfisher on our visit as well as lots of dragonflies, various fish and other birds like yellow wagtails. It was peaceful by the river but unfortunately the traffic on the A65 was a bit intrusive at times. We (my wife, dog and I) enjoyed our visit though and I'm sure we shall be back.
I have been many times with my camera over recent years. It's a pleasant flat walk by the river with a few benches, lots of wildlife and wide variety of flora.
Brilliant and accessible nature reserve, always something to see
I have now led four walks from Burley in Wharfedale to Ben Rhydding Gravel Pits nature reserve, two being part of our Burley Summer Festival, and two being part of our regular monthly Sunday morning walks programme. The walks proved very popular with approximately 30 people each time, and the feedback has been superb. In particular people have mentioned the quality and accessibility of the information about plants and trees, birds, insects and animals that our guide on each occasion, Steve Parkes, was able to provide. Providing a new entrance to the reserve for walkers from Burley direction was the icing on the cake in terms of making the reserve more accessible to the village. The nature reserve is now firmly on the map as far Burley is concerned, and we look forward to maintaining regular visits in the future.
We took a group of 16 Scouts to the reserve and with the help of the volunteer warden Steve we observed small mammels which were safely caught and released for conservation studies, built coppice wigwams and helped with a bird watching screen. Steve was excellent with the scouts and the reserve is really beautiful.
A hidden gem. Peace and tranquility at the foot of Ilkley Moor. It's a nice, short, flat walk along the River Wharfe with plenty of wildlife to look at along the way.
