Reserves accessible by public transport
Going greener - the transport way
Looking for days out that still provide excitement at a little less cost? Perhaps you’ve gone green and have ditched your car for something more climate friendly – or maybe you just really like buses and trains?
As it happens, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust has over 100 reserves stretched right across Yorkshire. Most people aren’t more than 15 miles from one, and many are much closer. We have a huge variety of reserves to suit everyone, from families looking for a day out to the serious wildlife enthusiast, and all bar one of them are entirely free to visit.
What’s more – all of the below are reachable via public transport!
North Yorkshire East Yorkshire South Yorkshire
North Yorkshire
Stretching from Ingleton in the Dales to Filey on the Yorkshire coast, North Yorkshire has a huge amount to offer - wherever you are!
Staveley
A superb wetland site lying close to the River Tutt, with regular sightings of otters and several orchid species among the highlights. Staveley has good accessibility for pushchairs and wheelchairs, and Bus 21 from Knaresborough passes through the centre of Staveley village a few hundred metres from the reserve.
Garbutt Wood Nature Reserve
Garbutt Wood
This spellbinding woodland is at its most magical when the flowers are out in May and June, and the songs of redstarts, blackcaps and other breeding birds create an enchanting atmosphere. From a cliff top height of 305m, the nature reserve tumbles 150m to its western boundary just above Lake Gormire. Bus M4 to Helmsley/Redcar and Cleveland stops at Sutton Bank Visitor Centre, as do buses from Thirsk, and the reserve is a short walk along the Cleveland Way.
Chafer Wood Nature Reserve - Laura Popely
Chafer Wood
Enjoy an uplifting and invigorating walk through this idyllic broadleaved woodland and take in the breath-taking views across the Vale of Pickering. Bus 128 runs through Ebberston along the A170 from Scarborough, a short walk from the reserve.
Hop back on the 128 heading back towards Scarborough and get off at Jacobs Mount to also visit Harland Mount, set on a steep hill ascending out of Scarborough and offering beautiful views across the town and over the sea.
Filey Dams
The last remaining freshwater marsh of any size in the area, Filey Dams is a magnet for migratory birds but is also a haven for plants, small mammals and amphibians. There is wheelchair access to the main hide and pond-dipping platform. The reserve is a ten-minute walk from Filey railway station, or buses regularly serve Filey from Scarborough.
Leyburn Old Glebe
A traditional hay meadow, Leyburn Old Glebe is rich in flowers in spring and summer, supporting a range of orchids including the burnt tip orchid and the green winged orchid. The 156/157 buses running between Leyburn and Hawes stop in Wensley less than 1km away.
East Yorkshire
The heartlands and coastlands of Yorkshire, spanning from York across and down to Hull and the wonderful wilderness inbetween.
Photo by Luke Thornton on Unsplash
Spurn
Catch the number 71 Spurn Explorer bus from Hull Interchange on weekends and bank holidays to enjoy Yorkshire's very own Land's end, complete with a lighthouse, an ex-military truck safari (bookable on our website here) and a fantastic cafe.
(C) Lana Huntley
Askham Bog
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s oldest reserve (of over 75 years) sits just on the outskirts of York. It has abundant wildlife and a short fully-accessible boardwalk, as well as wider meadows to be explored. Askham Bog is right next to the Askham Bar Park and Ride bus stop in York, or easily cyclable from the town centre.
Flamborough Cliffs
Home to one of the UK's largest mainland seabird colonies, including our colourful parrot-like puffins in May and June, a trip to Flamborough cliffs is also a fantastic chance to see what marine mammals you can spot - from seals to dolphins! The Number 14 bus runs from Bridlington to North Landing, which also links up with the 12 Coaster from Scarborough.
Barlow Common
A former rubbish tip which is now a flourishing wildlife rich brownfield site with tranquil lakes, open grasslands and meadows. Twenty-five hand-carved wooden waymarkers act as check points around the reserve, alerting visitors to the huge variety of wildlife present. The Number 8 bus to Drax from Selby passes very close to the reserve - the entrance to the nature reserve is about 50 metres from the nearest bus stop.
North Cave Wetlands (C) John Potter
North Cave Wetlands
A reserve actively turning from quarry into wildlife haven, and a great place to spot all sorts of birds. Footpaths are mainly grass and stone surface - all on a flat level for very easy walking, wheelchairs and pushchairs, and there is a food van and toilets on-site. Bus 55 from Hull stops at North Cave village, a 15 minute walk from the reserve.
South Yorkshire
Nestled on the flat Humberhead Levels, South Yorkshire is home to Barnsley, Doncaster, and some cracking reserves!
(C) Jono Leadley
Potteric Carr
The remnants of a once-immense fen bog nestled on the edge of Doncaster, Potteric Carr is a huge reserve of national significance both for its wildlife and habitat. Our only pay-to-enter reserve, Potteric has a visitor centre including a shop, café and toilets, and is entirely accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Get Bus 72 from Doncaster station to the Catesby Business Park B&Q nearby, and the reserve is a 5-minute walk.
(C) Norman Hearne
Dearne Valley Country Park
A wildlife haven less than a mile from Barnsley Town Centre and extending for two miles along the River Dearne, the Park is one of the best places to see kingfishers in the Valley. However, the spectacular 80-hectare park has something to offer for everyone including a skatepark, wildlife pond and picnic benches, and a range of accessible tarmac paths.
Many regular bus services from Barnsley Town Centre (57, 59, 59A) stop at the bus stop at the main car park entrance on Pontefract Road. Alternatively, the reserve is a 15-minute walk from Barnsley railway station.
Sprotbrough Flash
Picturesque Sprotbrough Flash is one of the richest wildlife sites in South Yorkshire. Meader along the River Don towards the gorge, enjoy the woodland wildflowers or climb to the top for some fantastic views. The towpath along the Don is accessible, as are the bird hides.
Sprotbrough village is served by the 541 bus from Doncaster Interchange, and the reserve is a less than a 1km walk south from the village, or the nearest train station is at Conisbrough is approximately 2 miles to the west of the site.
(C) Jim Horsfall
Carlton Marsh
A wetland nature lover’s delight and a core wildlife site of the Dearne Valley, Carlton Marsh hugs the Cudworth Dyke and is best viewed from the footpath on the old railway line running the length of the site. Bus 57 from Barnsley Interchange to Royston or the 59 from Barnsley to Wakefield route stop at the top of Shaw lane, and the nature reserve is a ½ mile walk away on the right hand side.
West Yorkshire
Covering the urban heart of Yorkshire including Leeds, Wakefield and Huddersfield, there are plenty of reserves for you to get out and explore!
(c) Marianne Fairclough
Stirley
Once intensively farmed, Stirley is now an education centre with a garden, orchard and wildflower meadows. There are toilets and a picnic area on-site. Stirley is 20-minute walk from Berry Brow train station, accessible via Huddersfield, or you can get Bus 354 or 341 from Huddersfield which stop close by.
(C) Emma Lusby
Adel Dam
A little gem of a woodland and wetland nature reserve on the edge of Leeds with regular kingfisher and duck visitors. Adel is accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs up to the first of the hides. Take Bus X84 from Leeds or Otley, and alight at Golden Acre Park.
Letchmire Pastures
When the sun begins to shine and the days get longer delicate bee orchids bloom in this wild, reclaimed former colliery site, where meadows and a young woodland thrive. The 163 and 166 buses run from Leeds city centre to Allerton Bywater - alight on Station Road.
If you want to explore further, Owl Wood and Pit Plantation and Hollinhurst Wood are easily accessible along the Lines Way route.