The North of Wakefield is not as well served as the South by nature reserves and open areas, mainly due to its proximity to Leeds. However, there are some areas where you will see many species in one visit - particularly between May and July. Click on the photos to enlarge.
The area around Outwood railway station has become a bit of a nature reserve. Lupins, in many colours, are profuse - particularly in late May and June. Immediaetely to the east of the station (ie behind the Wakefield bound platform) is a recreational area which is good for wild flowers around the margins.
If you follow the path by the railway fence northwards, you will come to an actual nature reserve - the Lofthouse Colliery Nature Park. Apart from access from the railway station, it can be accessed by Lingwell Nook Lane at Lofthouse Gate and Westgate Lane at Lofthouse. This is on the site of the old Lofthouse Colliery which was in operation between 1877 and 1981.
There are a variety of habitats including heathland, woodland (Oak, Ash, Hazel, Birch and Rowan) and a pond and marshy area. Flowers include Lupin, Meadow Buttercup, Coltsfoot, Teasel, Ragged Robin and Ox-Eye Daisy. There is a circular walk too. Click here for a map.
Stanley Ferry Flash is the area immediately South-West from Stanley Ferry, and can be accessed from the Aire and Calder navigation near the Stanley Ferry pub, Balk Lane or Ward Lane. Stanley Ferry Flash is a mixture of marsh, swamp, water and grassland, and is an area of Scientific Special Interest. This area was agricultural land, but is became flooded, and hence unsafe, as a result of mining subsidence. Southern Marsh orchids and Musk Mallow can be seen here.
A leaflet "Southern Washlands Nature Corridor" has been produced by Wakefield council. It features 4 walks, and can be downloaded here. Search "Southern Washlands".
Just south of (and accessible from) Ferry flash is the site of the old parkhill colliery. This area is just to the west of the Aire and Calder Navigation. The colliery closed in 1983, and the paths here follow the original paths through the colliery.
In summer, the hill itself is a wild flower meadow, with many varieties of wild flower including Sainfoin in abundance.
Stanley Marsh is a small local nature reserve, situated on Lime Pit Lane in Stanley, just off the main Aberford Road, approximately 1.5 miles north of Wakefield city centre. There is a circular path which covers the woodland and meadow habitats, whilst giving views of the open water.
The venue is good for wild flowers, butterflies, bumble bees, dragonflies and damselflies.
The area of interest is at the bottom of Wrenthorpe Park - look out for the wooden bridge in the first picture.
There is an amazing variety of flowers here (2011), this may be because the ground looks as though it has been churned up. It is definitely worth a visit in summer.
Species include Goats Rue (both lilac and white), Water Mint, Redshank, Pale Persicaria and Purple Loosestrife.