This reserve is designated as a Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) due to its species-rich grasslands.

Ashes Pasture is made up of a number of different habitat types including acid grassland, wet flush, wooded gill, hay meadow, neural and calcareous grassland. The diversity of habitats and environmental factors lead to high botanical diversity. The site can be divided into the predominately acid grasslands on its upper slopes with areas of calcareous influence leading to high plant diversity. The lower pastures are managed as a hay meadow which produces a herb-rich grassland.

The reserve supports several nationally rare species of flora including over 12 species of orchid such as the nationally scare small white orchid; bird’s-eye primrose; and blue-moor grass.

A wooded gill on the reserve provides suitable habitat for black grouse, while the rush pasture provides cover for snipe through the winter. 

Come the spring common spotted orchid, fragrant orchid and wood cranesbill bring colour to the meadow and curlew can be heard calling from the fields surrounding the meadow.  

In summer greater butterfly orchid, devil’s bit scabious and globeflower can be seen and skylark call over the reserve.

The autumn months offer the potential to see painted lady butterfly and common carder bee and in winter snipe use the rushes as cover and meadow pipit can be seen.

• Spring: Plants - Fragrant orchid; Wood cranesbill; Birds - Curlew; Cuckoo
• Summer: Plants - Greater butterfly orchid; Devils-bit scabious; Globeflower, Heath Spotted Orchid; Birds - Skylark, Barn Owl, Stonechat, Willow Warbler
• Autumn: Invertebrates - Painted lady; Common carder bee; Birds - Flocks of finches & thrushes
• Winter: Birds - Meadow Pipit, Barn owl, Kestrel

Public transport
The nearest train station is Ribblehead, from where it is a 1.5 mile walk along the road to the reserve.

By car
Off the B6479 I mile south of the B6255 junction (Ribblehead)