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51) Staveley Nature Reserve, Boroughbridge, Staveley, Knaresborough, HG5 9LQ.
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Distance:
My route covers 4.16 miles in total tho you can limit yourself to one section of the reserve if you want a shorter distance.
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Terrain:
Fairly substantial gravel laid car parks, a choice of parking - either at the first car park as you enter Staveley Village via Minskip Lane - or you can park in a nearer car park to the main hide - accessed of Main Street, Staveley.
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Facilities on site:
Staveley Nature Reserve is managed by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, car parking is not charged but you are kindly asked to pay a £3 donation per vehicle - payment is via payment collection boxes.
Dogs are permitted as long they are kept on leads - only guide or assistance dogs are permitted to enter the large and small enclosed bird hides.
No visitor centre or toilets on site, ~No shops nearby, there is a pub near called "The Wild Swan" but during my visit it was closed - so I am unable to tell you if it has any disabled facilities.
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All of the reserve paths are suitable for all wheelchairs - especially as the site is quite flat. The main bird hide is very large - no step and ample viewing from a chair. a new small hide has recently been provided which again is excellent from a wheelchair. A couple of the smaller hides are accessed via steps. If you park at the Minskip Road end then there are a few gates to get through- doable from a wheelchair or power chair - a great thing about the reserve is that unless livestock is in the fields you are entering - then the gates are tied back out of use - which makes exploring from a wheelchair very easy. Gates and access is excellent if you park off the access lane from Main Street.
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About the reserve:
The nature reserve has large lakes, reed beds, woodland, marsh and meadow sections.
The site has a number of Barn Owl boxes located - these have been used by these beautiful owls. Lots of small bird and bat boxes across the site. Many geese, fowl, small birds, many raptors visit - during my visit I watched a Peregrine take a Lapwing. Otters have been known to frequent Staveley. Deer , Stoat, Voles.
Numerous waders depending on the water level during your visit. Many insects, butterfly, moths, dragonfly, many different types of wildflowers. Rabbits, Hare, and evidence of our more elusive larger mammals.
​https://www.ywt.org.uk/nature-reserves/staveley-nature-reserve
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A great deal of thought has clearly been made to make Staveley as assessable as can be achieved.
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