List of local nature reserves in England facts for kids

Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) are special places in England where nature is protected, and people can enjoy it. Think of them as local parks, but with an extra focus on wildlife and plants. These areas are officially recognised by local councils, who are in charge of looking after them.

What are Local Nature Reserves?

Local Nature Reserves are places that are important for nature, and they are also great for people to visit and learn from. They are chosen because they have special wildlife, plants, or geology. The idea is to protect these natural treasures for everyone to enjoy, now and in the future.

Who looks after them?

Each Local Nature Reserve is officially named and cared for by a local authority. This is usually your local council. They make sure the land is managed in a way that helps nature thrive, while also allowing people to explore and connect with the outdoors.

Why are Local Nature Reserves Important?

LNRs play a super important role in keeping our local environment healthy and happy.

Helping Wildlife and Plants

These reserves provide safe homes for many different kinds of animals, birds, insects, and plants. They can be woodlands, meadows, wetlands, or even old quarries. By protecting these areas, we help stop rare species from disappearing and keep our local ecosystems balanced.

Places for People to Enjoy

LNRs are fantastic for people too! They offer peaceful spots for walking, birdwatching, or just relaxing in nature. They are also brilliant outdoor classrooms where you can learn about local wildlife and how to protect it. Many LNRs have paths, signs, and even visitor centres to help you explore.

Connecting with Nature

Spending time in nature is good for our minds and bodies. Local Nature Reserves make it easy for people, especially kids and families, to get outside and experience the beauty of the natural world right on their doorstep. It helps us all feel more connected to our environment.

How are Local Nature Reserves Chosen?

The process of choosing an LNR involves a few steps to make sure the area is truly special and can be properly looked after.

Finding Special Places

First, local councils or community groups identify areas that have important wildlife, plants, or interesting natural features. This could be a woodland with rare trees, a marsh that is home to unusual birds, or a meadow full of wildflowers.

Official Recognition

Once a suitable area is found, the local council officially declares it a Local Nature Reserve. This means it gets special protection under the law. It also means the council commits to managing the area for both nature conservation and for people to enjoy.

Exploring Some Local Nature Reserves

There are hundreds of Local Nature Reserves across England, each with its own unique character. Here are just a few examples from the long list:

• Abbey Fishponds in Vale of White Horse: A watery haven that might be home to fish and other pond life.
• Abney Hall in Stockport: Often a mix of historic parkland and natural areas, great for walks.
• Abney Park Cemetery in London Borough of Hackney: A fascinating place where history and nature meet, often home to diverse plants and animals in an urban setting.
• Acomb Wood and Meadow in York: A combination of trees and open grassy areas, perfect for spotting different species.
• Adderbury Lakes in Adderbury: Lakes are vital for many water birds and insects.
• Alney Island in Gloucester: An island often means unique wetland habitats, attracting many birds.
• Anglers Country Park in Wakefield: A park with a focus on fishing, but also important for the nature around its waters.
• Anton Lakes in Test Valley: Lakes and rivers are crucial for biodiversity, supporting everything from fish to dragonflies.
• Arger Fen in Suffolk: Fens are wet, boggy areas that are incredibly rich in plant life.
• Arlington Reservoir in East Sussex: Reservoirs, while man-made, become important homes for waterfowl and other wildlife.
• Aylestone Meadows in Leicester & Blaby: Large open meadows are fantastic for wildflowers and insects like butterflies.
• Babbs Mill in Solihull: Often a mix of habitats, providing space for various creatures.
• Baggeridge Country Park in South Staffordshire: Country parks are large areas offering diverse habitats and recreational opportunities.
• Barnes Common in London Borough of Richmond upon Thames: Commons are open spaces, often with a mix of grassland and scattered trees, important for urban wildlife.
• Barnsbury Wood in London Borough of Islington: A small, hidden woodland in the city, showing how nature can thrive even in busy areas.
• Barrow Hill, Dudley in Dudley: Hills can offer unique views and different types of soil, leading to varied plant life.
• Beacon Hill, Brighton in Brighton & Hove: Coastal hills can have special plants that cope with salty air and strong winds.
• Bedfont Lakes Country Park in London Borough of Hounslow: A country park with lakes, great for birds and aquatic life.
• Belfairs in Southend-on-Sea: Often refers to ancient woodlands, which are incredibly valuable for biodiversity.
• Bentley Priory in London Borough of Harrow: Historic parkland with ancient trees and grasslands, providing a home for many species.
• Berrow Dunes in Sedgemoor: Sand dunes are unique habitats, home to specialist plants and insects that can survive in sandy, windy conditions.
• Berry Head in Torbay: A coastal headland, important for seabirds and cliff-dwelling plants.
• Billingham Beck Valley Country Park in Cleveland: A valley with a beck (stream), offering a mix of habitats along the water.
• Blackley Forest in Manchester: Forests are vital for carbon capture and providing extensive habitats.
• Blue Lagoon in Milton Keynes: Often former quarries that have filled with water, creating new wetland habitats.
• Boggart Hole Clough, Charlestown in Manchester: A clough is a steep-sided valley, often wooded, providing shelter and unique microclimates.
• Borsdane Wood in Wigan: Woodlands are crucial for many species, from tiny insects to larger mammals.
• Bovey Heathfield in Teignbridge: Heathlands are rare habitats, important for specific plants and ground-nesting birds.
• Bracken Bank in Castle Morpeth: Banks can offer varied conditions, supporting different plant communities.
• Branston Water Park in East Staffordshire: A water park that balances recreation with nature conservation.
• Brent Reservoir / Welsh Harp in London Boroughs of Barnet & Brent: A large reservoir, a key site for migrating birds.
• Brereton Heath in Cheshire East: Heathlands are open, often sandy areas with heather and gorse.
• Bretton Country Park in Wakefield: Another country park, offering a wide range of natural experiences.
• Brown Moss in Shropshire: Mosses often refer to boggy, wetland areas, which are rich in unique plant species.
• Bumble Hole in Dudley: Often a former industrial site that has been reclaimed by nature, showing how land can recover.
• Burbage Common and Woods in Hinckley & Bosworth & Blaby: A common with woodlands, providing diverse habitats.
• Byron's Pool in Cambridge: A pool can be a small, enclosed water body, important for amphibians and insects.
• Camley Street Natural Park in London Borough of Camden: An urban nature reserve, showing how nature can thrive in the heart of a city.
• Cann Woods The Andy Stevens LNR in Plymouth: Woodlands are essential for many species.
• Cassiobury Park in Watford: A large urban park with significant natural areas.
• Chard Reservoir in South Somerset: Reservoirs are important for water birds and as a water source.
• Chevin Forest Park in Leeds: A large forest park, great for hiking and wildlife spotting.
• Chorleywood Common in Hertfordshire: A common is an open space, often grazed, with diverse plant life.
• Clara Vale in Gateshead: A vale is a valley, often with a river or stream, creating lush habitats.
• Clayfield Copse in Reading: A copse is a small wood, providing shelter and food for animals.
• Clifton Country Park in Salford: A country park with a mix of habitats.
• Coate Water in Swindon: A large lake, important for waterfowl and dragonflies.
• Colwick Woods in Nottingham: Woodlands are vital for biodiversity.
• Crane Park Island in London Boroughs of Hounslow and Richmond-upon-Thames: An island in a river, providing a unique, undisturbed habitat.
• Cromwell Bottom in Calderdale: Often a riverside area, important for wetland species.
• Croxley Common Moor in Three Rivers: A moor is an open, often wet, uncultivated area.
• Cuckoo's Nook and The Dingle in Walsall: A "nook" and "dingle" suggest small, secluded, and often wooded valleys.
• Danes Dyke in East Riding of Yorkshire: A dyke can be a ditch or embankment, creating linear habitats.
• Dawlish Warren in Teignbridge: A sand spit with dunes, important for coastal wildlife.
• Decoy Country Park in Teignbridge: A park with a focus on a "decoy" (a pond used to catch ducks), now a wildlife haven.
• Denham Country Park in London Borough of Hillingdon & Buckinghamshire: A large country park spanning two areas.
• Dibbinsdale in Wirral: A valley, often with a stream, creating a rich habitat.
• Doffcocker Lodge in Bolton: A lodge often refers to a small lake or pond.
• Dulwich Upper Wood in London Borough of Southwark: An ancient woodland, very valuable for its long history of natural growth.
• Ecclesall Woods in Sheffield: Extensive woodlands, important for many species.
• Epsom Common in Epsom and Ewell: A common with a mix of habitats.
• Etherow Country Park in Stockport: A country park with a river (Etherow), providing varied habitats.
• Fairburn Ings in West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire County Council: "Ings" are water meadows, very important for birds.
• Far Ings in North Lincolnshire: Another "ings" site, indicating wetlands.
• Fleet Pond in Hart: A large pond, important for aquatic life and birds.
• Foots Cray Meadows in London Borough of Bexley: Meadows are vital for wildflowers and insects.
• Foxley Wood in London Borough of Croydon: A wood, providing essential habitat.
• Fryent Country Park in London Borough of Brent: A country park, offering green space in an urban area.
• Galleywood Common in Chelmsford: A common, often with heathland characteristics.
• Gillespie Park in London Borough of Islington: An urban nature reserve, showing how nature can thrive in the heart of a city.
• Grand Western Canal Country Park in Devon: A canal and its banks provide a linear habitat for many species.
• Guisborough Branch Walkway in Redcar and Cleveland: A former railway line converted into a nature trail.
• Gunnersbury Triangle in London Boroughs of Ealing and Hounslow: A small, triangular urban nature reserve.
• Habberley Valley in Wyre Forest: A valley, often with a stream, creating diverse habitats.
• Hainault Lodge in London Borough of Redbridge: A lodge often refers to a small building or area within a larger estate, now a nature reserve.
• Ham Lands in London Boroughs of Kingston upon Thames and Richmond-upon-Thames: Riverside land, important for wetland species.
• Hastings Country Park in Hastings: A large coastal park with cliffs and woodlands.
• Healey Dell in Rochdale: A dell is a small, secluded valley, often wooded.
• Hengistbury Head in Bournemouth: A prominent headland, important for its geology and coastal wildlife.
• High Elms Country Park in London Borough of Bromley: A country park with ancient woodlands.
• Hilbre Island in Wirral: An island, providing a unique and often undisturbed habitat for birds and marine life.
• Hockley Woods in Rochford: Woodlands are crucial for biodiversity.
• Horton Country Park in Epsom and Ewell: A large country park with diverse habitats.
• Hounslow Heath in London Borough of Hounslow: A heathland, important for its unique plant and insect life.
• Jacksons' Brickworks in Cheshire East: Former industrial sites can become valuable nature reserves as they are reclaimed by nature.
• Jubilee Country Park in London Borough of Bromley: A park created to celebrate a jubilee, now a nature haven.
• Kersal Moor in Salford: A moor is an open, uncultivated area, often with heathland plants.
• Kingfisher Country Park in Birmingham: A park named after a bird, suggesting a focus on water habitats.
• Lancing Ring in Adur: A "ring" might refer to an ancient earthwork, now a natural area.
• Lesnes Abbey Woods in London Borough of Bexley: Ancient woodlands with historical significance.
• Lindow Common in Cheshire East: A common with heathland and boggy areas.
• Lopwell Dam in West Devon: A dam creating a reservoir, important for aquatic life.
• Lye Valley in Oxford: A valley, often with a stream or river, creating diverse habitats.
• Lymington-Keyhaven Marshes in Hampshire: Extensive salt marshes, vital for wading birds and migratory species.
• Marton Mere in Blackpool: A mere is a lake or pond, important for waterfowl.
• Mayesbrook Park, South in London Borough of Barking and Dagenham: An urban park with natural areas.
• Mersey Vale Nature Park in Stockport: A park along the River Mersey, important for riverside habitats.
• Mill Hill in Adur: A hill, often with grassland or scrub, providing views and diverse habitats.
• Millington Wood in East Riding of Yorkshire: A wood, providing essential habitat.
• Moseley Bog in Birmingham: A bog is a wetland area, home to unique plants adapted to wet, acidic conditions.
• Moses Gate Country Park in Bolton: A country park with a focus on a "gate" (possibly a lock or weir), now a nature reserve.
• Mousehold Heath in Norwich: A heathland, important for its unique plant and insect life.
• Mudchute Park Farm in London Borough of Tower Hamlets: A farm and park, often with natural areas.
• Newmillerdam in Wakefield: A "dam" creating a lake, important for aquatic life.
• Norsey Wood in Basildon: An ancient woodland, very valuable for its long history of natural growth.
• Nunhead Cemetery in London Borough of Southwark: A cemetery that has become a valuable urban nature reserve.
• Oare Marshes in Swale: Coastal marshes, vital for wading birds and migratory species.
• Ogden Water in Calderdale: A reservoir, important for water birds.
• Oxleas Wood/Shooters Hill Woodlands in Royal Borough of Greenwich: Extensive woodlands, important for many species.
• Pagham Harbour in West Sussex: A large natural harbour, vital for migratory birds.
• Parkland Walk in London Boroughs of Haringey and Islington: A former railway line converted into a nature trail.
• Perivale Wood in London Borough of Ealing: An ancient woodland, very valuable for its long history of natural growth.
• Pewley Down in Guildford: A down is an open, rolling hill, often with chalk grassland.
• Pugneys Country Park in Wakefield: A country park with lakes, popular for water sports and wildlife.
• Queen Elizabeth II Country Park in Wansbeck: A park created to celebrate a jubilee, now a nature haven.
• Rainham Marshes in London Borough of Havering: Extensive marshes, vital for birds.
• Reddish Vale in Stockport: A valley, often with a river or stream, creating lush habitats.
• Rickmansworth Aquadrome in Three Rivers: A park with lakes, important for aquatic life.
• Risley Moss in Warrington: A moss is a boggy, wetland area.
• Robinswood Hill Country Park in Gloucester: A hill with woodlands and grasslands, offering views and diverse habitats.
• Roding Valley Meadows in Epping Forest: Meadows along a river, important for wetland species.
• Ruislip in London Borough of Hillingdon: A large woodland area, now part of a National Nature Reserve.
• Rye Harbour in East Sussex: A coastal area with salt marshes and shingle, vital for birds.
• Saltwells in Dudley: A former industrial site that has been reclaimed by nature, showing how land can recover.
• Scadbury Park in London Borough of Bromley: A park with ancient woodlands and grasslands.
• Seaford Head in Lewes: A coastal headland, important for seabirds and cliff-dwelling plants.
• Selsdon Wood in London Borough of Croydon: A wood, providing essential habitat.
• Shire Brook Valley in Sheffield: A valley with a brook, creating diverse habitats.
• Shoreham Beach in Adur: A shingle beach, important for coastal plants and birds.
• Siding Lane Woodland in St Helens: A woodland along a former railway line.
• Stanmer Park/Coldean in Brighton & Hove: A large park with woodlands and open spaces.
• Stanmore Common in London Borough of Harrow: A common with heathland and woodlands.
• Stanpit Marsh, Christchurch in Christchurch: A large salt marsh, vital for birds.
• Stover in Devon: A country park with a lake, woodlands, and heathland.
• Sydenham Hill Wood and Fern Bank in London Borough of Southwark: An ancient woodland, very valuable for its long history of natural growth.
• Telford Town Park in Telford & Wrekin: A large urban park with significant natural areas.
• Thatcham Reed Beds in West Berkshire: Extensive reed beds, vital for birds and other wetland species.
• The Chase - Barking in London Borough of Barking and Dagenham: A large open space, often with grasslands and scattered trees.
• The Wigan Flashes in Wigan: "Flashes" are wetlands created by mining subsidence, important for birds.
• Three Sisters in Wigan: A former colliery site that has been reclaimed by nature, now a country park.
• Tilgate Forest in Crawley: A large forest, important for many species.
• Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park in London Borough of Tower Hamlets: A cemetery that has become a valuable urban nature reserve.
• Troopers Hill in Bristol: A former quarry that has been reclaimed by nature, now a valuable urban nature reserve.
• Upton Country Park, Wakefield in Wakefield: A country park with a focus on a "country house" (Upton Hall), now a nature reserve.
• Vicar Water Nature Reserve in Newark & Sherwood: A nature reserve with a focus on a "vicar water" (a stream or river).
• Warton Crag in Lancaster: A crag is a steep, rocky hill, important for its geology and unique plant life.
• Waseley Hills Country Park in Worcestershire: A country park with hills, offering views and diverse habitats.
• Watermead Country Park - north in Leicestershire: A large country park with lakes and wetlands.
• Weston Woods in North Somerset: Woodlands, important for many species.
• Whisby Nature Park in North Kesteven: A nature park with lakes and woodlands.
• Wigg Island in Halton: An island, providing a unique and often undisturbed habitat for birds and marine life.
• Wormwood Scrubs in London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham: A large open space in an urban area, important for birds.
• Wren's Nest in Dudley: A geological site, important for its fossils and unique rock formations.
• Wynyard Woodland Park in Cleveland: A woodland park, important for many species.
• Yeading Woods in London Borough of Hillingdon: Woodlands, important for many species.

These are just a few examples, and each Local Nature Reserve offers a unique chance to explore and appreciate the natural world around us!

See also

• List of local nature reserves in Greater London
• List of local nature reserves in Scotland
• List of local nature reserves in Wales