Townclose Hills nature reserve in Kippax is highly recommended, as is the nearby section of the Lines Way (the Lines Way runs past the western side of the reserve). There are many rare plants to be seen here. The first half of July possibly being the best time to go, but there is always something to see through the flowering season. Recommended.

The first photo shows the panoramic view from Townclose Hills. For more information, please see the following link.

Examples of the flowers to be seen are Clustered Bellflower (photo 2), Common Spotted Orchid, Bee Orchid, Eyebright, Cowbane, Hairy St Johns Wort, Agrimony, Wood Sage, Kidney Vetch, Marjoram and Spiny Restharrow.

An interesting part of the Lines Way is around the wet area which has low railings next to it (see photo 3). Here; Crosswort, Watercress, Fool's watercress and Bugle with tall spikes (photo 4) can be seen.

Just outside Wakefield, Fitzwilliam Country Park is next to Fitzwilliam railway station, and free car parking is available in the station car park on Wentworth Terrace. Access is also available from the A638 Doncaster Road. Either take the path opposite Bracken Hill, or the charmingly named Dicky Sykes Lane.

Bee orchids grow here (photo 3), and they can be seen right next to the paths. I am not sure whether they flower every year, but they flowered in June 2012 when the photo was taken. The information board says that Common Spotted Orchids can be seen, but I have not seen any yet.

Other flowers that can be seen, amongst others, are Restharrow, Golden Melilot, Tufted Vetch, Purple Loosestrife, Centaury and Field Scabious.

Frickley Country Park is a new (2009) park on the eastern edge of South Elmsall on the location of the former colliery yard and spoil heap of Frickley Colliery. It can be accessed from Broad Lane, which is the terminus of the 485 bus route from Wakefield. Alternatively, it can be accessed from Doncaster Road (B4622) - leaving South Elmsall from the bus/rail station, there is a (quite well hidden) sign and entrance path on the right hand side, as soon as the houses end. This takes you to the location shown in photo 1.

Plenty of wild flowers have been introduced, or have seeded themselves, including Cornflower, Corn Cockle (photo 3), Hop Trefoil, Hedge Bedstraw, Black Horehound, Common Toadflax and Red Campion. Corn Cockle must have been introduced, because it is practically extinct. However the plant seems to have established itself so far.

There is also a rough area which is worth investigating between the country park and Westfield Lane (next to the football ground). Again, I think that flowers have been introduced here because you can see Cornflower in various colours such as pink and purple.

Breary Marsh lies adjacent to Golden Acre Park in Bramhope and can be reached from the car park for Golden Acre Park just off the A660 Otley Road. For more information, please see the following link.

Flowers that can be seen, amongst others, are Primrose, Wood Sorrel (2nd photo), Meadowsweet, Ragged Robin, Wild Angelica, Common Spotted Orchid and Greater Stitchwort.

Common Valerian (photo 3 - not common in West Yorkshire) can be seen near Paul's pond (photo 1).

Rothwell Country Park is to the North of Rothwell, and is accessed from First Avenue, which is off the A639 Leeds Road. There is access to the Aire and Calder Navigation and the Trans Pennine trail at the northern point of the reserve. There is access to the reserve from Woodlesford railway station via the canal tow path (photo 4).

I have not see any rare flowers here, but Agrimony, Red Bartsia, Ribbed Melilot, Field Scabious, Wild Carrot, Meadow Cranesbill, Hop Trefoil, Greater Knapweed and Tufted Vetch have been noted.

There is a sculpture trail, and also a summit climb, which gives panoramic views of Leeds city centre (photo 2).

There does not seem to be a circular route, which means returning to the start point, where there is a signpost giving directions to the different parts of the reserve.

This reserve is in the Ravensthorpe area of West Dewsbury, and is accessed via Park Road, off the A644 Huddersfield Road.

There is a 'circular' route around the reserve, which is roughly oblong in shape, and would take around 45 minutes to complete.

The best area for flowers is the eastern edge of the reserve, behind Ravensthorpe Road and Meadow Bank (photos 2 and 4).

On my visit in June 2012, I did not see any rarities, but did see good displays of flowers along the eastern edge. Comfrey, Sheeps Sorrel, Meadow Buttercup, Field Forgetmenot, Beaked Hawksbeard and Hedgerow Cranesbill were all noted.

This is a new (as at 2014) nature park in South Leeds / North West Wakefield.

Local areas included are Thorpe Wood, East Ardsley Fall and Dolphin Beck Marsh (see below).

The initial phase runs either side of the railway line from Lingwell Nook on the Wakefield border to Thorpe Wood, and forms the first phase of a much larger scheme that will enhance the green corridor that links South Leeds with Rothwell Country Park and the Lower Aire Valley.

This is very close to Ardsley and Thorpe Nature Park (above).

It extends for just under a mile from Station Lane at Thorpe (very close to the M62) to Lingwell Gate Lane near The Nook pub.

The first part is a pleasant, slightly undulating, walk through woodland with the beck to your right hand side.

The second part is close to a well planned modern development of houses which overlook the pond / marsh (last photo)

Access at the south-eastern point is via the sharp corner of Borrowdale Road. There are frequent buses from Castleford Bus Station.

This local nature reserve has a varied habitat of woodland and open ground.

If you head in a north-westerly direction, and walk through a new housing estate, you can make your way to the old colliery village of Fryston

Wild flowers include Marjoram, Dogs Mercury, Goatsbeard, Cowslip, Southern Marsh Orchid, Harebell and Field Scabious.

Access is via a path on Whistler Drive near the XScape centre (see photo 1). This takes you under the M62 and across the race track itself. Make sure there is no racing on the day you plan to come.

The area of interest is furthest from the grandstands, close to the M62. There is heath, marsh and water.

I went in early June, and there wasn't anything special to report.

Flowers include Creeping Buttercup, Meadow Buttercup, Sheeps Sorrel, Common Sorrel, Heath Bedstraw, Yellow Flag and Watercress.

Mill Pond Meadow is on the Wakefield to Pontefract road at the junction with Huntwick Lane (opposite the Linpac factory).

This is a new (2012) nature reserve, and trees have been planted to remember local men who lost their lives in the first world war (see last photo).

The information board says that there are Common Spotted Orchids, but when I went at the beginning of June, there were only Southern Marsh Orchids, and lots of them.

Small local reserve with a circular path, and benches to sit down on.

Access from Cleckheaton Road at Low Moor is via a signposted road that passes between two pubs. Walk along this road, and you will see the entrance (photo 1).

This is a small local reserve that has areas of heathland and a small pond.

Before you reach a golf course, look behind you to the right, and you will see a bridge over the railway line. Cross this bridge, and walk straight across the mini roundabout. This leads you to Toad Holes Marsh (see below).

This local reserve is best accessed after a visit to Railway Terrace (see above)

Enter via the path to the left of the industrial unit (photo 1), and descend through the trees (photo 2).

This area has been reclaimed by local residents, and is a nice quiet oasis in quite a busy area.

If you walk past the pond, and take the left fork at a branch in the paths, this will lead you to further down Cleckheaton Road, a few hundred yards from where you started.

Access is via Station Road at Allerton Bywater.

There is an elevated path round three sides of the water; from where, birds can be observed.

I went early in the year, so do not know what flowers there are to see.

If you make your way over to the river Aire, you can follow the elevated river path back to Castleford town centre or Lock Lane (last photo).