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Gait Barrows National Nature Reserve

Gait Barrows NNR is a rich mosaic of limestone habitats including unique limestone pavement, yew woodland, fen and reedbed. The reserve contains the most notable pavement flora in Britain, and is important for its rich invertebrate communities. Around 800 species of moth have been recorded on the reserve, including the rare silky wainscot. The site also supports dragonfly and damselfly, and butterflies such as the Duke of Burgundy, high brown and pearl-bordered fritillary. Wood ant is common at the site and the rare narrow-mouthed whorl snail is also found here.

Highlights: Local bird life includes green woodpecker, garden warbler, reed warbler, blackcap, bittern and marsh harrier.

There is a very rich fungi flora at Gait Barrows with over 1600 species being recorded.

The best time of year to visit the reserve is the spring and summer for flowering plants and all year for woodland birds. Location: Please note that due to the sensitivity of the habitats on this reserve access is by permit only. For details email English Nature's Cheshire to Lancashire team, or telephone 01539 531 604.

The NNR is near Morecambe Bay, 2.5 km north of the village of Silverdale and 3 km south east of Arnside. By road, access is via minor roads from the A6 (M6). The nearest public car park is
1.5 km south west of the reserve on the road from Silverdale to Red Bridge village.

Grid reference: SD482771

For further details, click here.

These maps are intended as a guideline only; you must check the exact location of the reserve yourself. Wildlife Extra assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or usefulness of the information on this website.