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51) Staveley Nature Reserve, Boroughbridge, Staveley, Knaresborough, HG5 9LQ.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
A great deal of thought has clearly been made to make Staveley as assessable as can be achieved.
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