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Distance:

There are many trails to explore around Potteric Carr Nature Reserve. 

The route I usually do is around 5 miles, though you can do as much or as little as you desire.

There is a wheelchair route marked out with signposts - that I follow but I also go off piste!

Terrain:

The reserve is around woodland and wetland on reasonably wide paths. The paths are well trodden as the reserve is widely used by naturalists, bird watchers etc. 

 

Some sections are on compacted wide dirt tracks - some on tarmac, a few sections if you chose to do them are narrow but passable for all wheelchair / powerchair and pushchairs / prams. A few paths on the reserve have steps but these are not on my chosen route. There are also no gates to be negotiated.

 

Facilities: There is a lovely café at Potteric Carr, also toilets and a disabled loo.

 

Please check before you go to see if the reserve is open and what facilities are available – such as the toilets, cafe and hides.

 

The site is operated by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (YWT), there is an admission charge for none members of the YWT, £4.50 per person, Children £3.00 and they have a concessions rate of £3.50

Carers are admitted free.

The car park is quite large, there is a disabled parking area.  

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There is now a Tramper Mobility Scooter available for a half or full day hire- you will need to book this. 

 

Entry to the reserve is along a path from the car park to the visitor centre, go up the ramp and through the entrance – if you’re on a wide mobility scooter etc then the staff can open up the double door for you.

 

Go out the café door onto the wooden section – here is a great place to see the first lake – red beds, usual fowl and perhaps the elusive Bittern!

 

Head down the ramp towards the reserve trails. There is an accessible route marked out but do explore further – many of the paths are ok for most mobility scooters / wheelchairs. There are a few paths with steps at the end but these are obvious so you can spot them and avoid.

 

My own route takes in the main paths and extends to the far end of the reserve. There are a couple of little hills – but these are not too steep. 

 

Most of the nature reserves wildlife hides are accessible to wheelchair users, wheelchair viewing points are in most hides. The hides have wooden movable benches in them that you can move . – the openable windows open from bottom to top so can be a little awkward if you are on your own.

 

Wildlife is in abundance at Potteric, all the usual British species , Deer, Stoats, voles.

Exellant for British butterflies, dragon fly and Damsel.

 

There are Bittern , Kingfisher, Marsh Harrier, Avocet, frequent at the reserve so keep your eyes and ears open. It really is one of my most highly recommended wildlife locations to visit.

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