Broadleaf woodland in the steep sided valley of the River Nidd, managed as a nature reserve.
Bilton Beck & Rudding Bottoms
read more
Birk Crag, Cardale Wood & Oak Beck
A steep, wooded valley, with outcrops of millstone grit at the top. The rocky Oak Beck flows in the valley floor. Predominantly deciduous woodland with a diverse range of shade loving plants and bryophytes.
Birkham Wood
Ancient broadleaf woodland on the south bank of the River Nidd near Knaresborough.
Bishop Monkton Ings
An area of species-rich marshy grasslands and wet broadleaf woodlands. It is on private property.
Brimham Rocks
A cluster of Millstone Grit tors that dominates the local landscape. They are surrounded by a variety of upland plant communities such as dry and wet heath, birch woodland and acid bog.
Burton Leonard Lime Quarries
A disused Magnesian Limestone quarry that supports a mix of limestone grassland, scrub and broadleaved woodland with a rich calcareous flora.
Cayton Gill
Very interesting valley fen over limestone surrounded by woodland and acid grassland.
Coal Bank Wood, Mickley
Small woodland over limestone with wet woodland, fens, flushes and marshes
Crimple Valley, Pannal to Spofforth
A mix of farmland, woodland and rough grassland surrounding Crimple Beck. The land is mostly privately owned, but a network of public footpaths runs through the valley.
Eavestone Lake
A secluded lake and surrounding mixed woodland.
Ellington Banks
A very interesting site used as a military training area, with limestone grassland, scrub woodland and pools.
Farnham Gravel Pits
Formerly gravel workings, the south lake is managed by the Society as a private nature reserve. Access is restricted to Society members only.
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal
Extensive parkland with many mature specimen trees, ornamental lake and stream.
Gillbeck Farm Wood
A small ancient deciduous wood on a steep valley side.
Grange Quarry Wood
Mixed woodland, mostly deciduous. The rocky Oak Beck runs the full length of the site. There are two grassy meadows and some outcrops of Millstone Grit.
Guisecliff Wood
Ancient broadleaf woodland on the edge of the moors above the River Nidd.
Hackfall Woods
Ancient woodland above the River Ure with abundant wildlife and some interesting 18th century historical features
Haverah Park & Beaver Dyke Reservoir
Mixed farmland and the small Beaver Dyke Reservoir (also called John o’ Gaunt’s Reservoir due to the proximity of John o’ Gaunt’s Castle ). There is a path around the reservoir taking in the pathway over the dam. Two benches on the north side offer a good vantage point over the water (there is no access to the water’s edge). The larger lower reservoir was drained in 2015.
Helenfield Nature Reserve
A young broadleaf woodland recently established as a nature reserve. There is a small pond in the south east corner of the wood.
Hell Wath Local Nature Reserve
Ancient woodland, grassland and river habitats
High Batts Nature Reserve
High Batts is mixed woodland and clearings on the bank of the River Ure. It is a private nature reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest. There are three hides, from which members can view the wildlife at the Reserve.
Hookstone Wood Local Nature Reserve
Two old quarry ponds which date back to the nineteenth century, and a large area of mixed woodland. It is a Local Nature Reserve.
How Stean Beck and Gorge
The How Stean Beck flows off the West Nidderdale moors and through a deep limestone gorge before meeting the River Nidd.
Lumley Moor Reservoir
A reservoir with interesting aquatic and marsh flora. The reservoir is owned by Yorkshire Water and is used to top up Swinsty Reservoir when necessary.
Marfield Wetlands
A former sand and gravel working with lakes, ponds and surrounding fen, wet grassland and woods.
Nidd Gorge
Mixed woodland in the steep sided valley of the River Nidd.
Paddy Wood, River Laver
A small, private woodland nature reserve by the River Laver
Plumpton Rocks
Historic, landscaped woodland with a wide variety of trees and a large lake; spectacular outcrops of Millstone Grit.
Quarry Moor Nature Reserve
On the site of an old Magnesian Limestone quarry, the reserve has interesting unimproved calcareous grassland and geological features.
Ripon Loop
A nature reserve within a large loop of the meandering River Ure.
Sandy Bank Wood
Remnant heathland on top of quarry
Scar House & Angram Reservoirs
Two large reservoirs and surrounding boulder-strewn hillsides with rough grassland and moorland on the higher slopes. There is some mixed woodland below Scar House dam.
Skrikes Wood
Ancient woodland with moss covered boulders and stream with wet rock faces.
Staveley Nature Reserve
Two large, flooded former gravel pits, fringed with rushes, along with several small pools and drainage channels. Some extensive grassland and small areas of woodland.
Swinsty Moor and Reservoir
Swinsty Moor Plantation and the adjoining Swinsty Reservoir have a variety of coniferous plantations, mixed woodlands and open water.
Sylvan Nature Reserve
A recently planted woodland on the bank of River Nidd.
The Pinewoods
Mixed woodland, including many Scots Pines, from which the site takes its name.
Upper Nidderdale
The upper reaches of the River Nidd and valley, with rough pasture, woodland, many exposed outcrops of limestone and entrances to cave systems, such as Goyden Pot
Valley Gardens
A formal gardens in the centre of Harrogate, which is planted with an interesting variety of mature trees.
Members Area
View the Society's latest publications in this area of the website reserved for Members.
Trip Reports
View a detailed roundup of all our Field Trips in the Harrogate District and beyond.
Latest News
The latest wildlife news from around the Harrogate District that may be of interest to naturalists.