One of the few remaining hay meadows in our area, which is managed for the production of an annual hay crop. It lies within a loop of the River Nidd near Cattal.
Aubert Ings
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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.
Bishop Monkton Railway Cutting
Part of the disused London and North East Railway where it cuts through the Magnesian limestone. The unimproved calcareous grassland of this sheltered site is rich in insect life.
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.
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.
East Nidderdale Moors
High moorland on the eastern side of the upper Nidderdale valley, between Flamstone Pin and High Ruckles, including Dallowgill, Lofthouse, Pateley, Fountains Earth and Masham Moors. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
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.
Farnham Road verge
The roadside verge of Farnham Road has a rich limestone grassland flora
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal
Extensive parkland with many mature specimen trees, ornamental lake and stream.
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.
Greenhow (Duck Street) Quarry
An abandoned limestone quarry that is a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its geological features. It also has a rich limestone grassland flora.
Hay-a-Park Gravel Pits
A large, flooded former gravel pit and several smaller lagoons, with reedbeds, grassland and scrub.
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.
Nosterfield Local Nature Reserve
Originally a gravel quarry, the site has wet grassland and lakes over magnesian limestone. Three birds hides are open during daylight working hours.
Quarry Moor Nature Reserve
On the site of an old Magnesian Limestone quarry, the reserve has interesting unimproved calcareous grassland and geological features.
Ripon City Wetlands
Recently acquired by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, this area of lakes (former gravel workings) and surrounding reedbeds is a favourite birdwatching site.
Rossett Local Nature Reserve
This small urban nature reserve is located off a 400 metre long section of Rossett Drive, adjoining Richmond Avenue. There are several small, weedy ponds, along with some scrub and some grassland. It is a Site of Interest for Nature Conservation for its amphibians, particularly a breeding colony of Great Crested Newt.
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.
Valley Gardens
A formal gardens in the centre of Harrogate, which is planted with an interesting variety of mature trees.
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