Lowerhouse Lodges provided water for one of England's largest cotton mills, Lowerhouse Mill, which is closed in 1933 during a cotton trade depression. The lodges eventually became a landfill site until 1993 when objections from local residents led to the lodges being managed for wildlife and angling and in 2000, the site was designated as a Local nature reserve.
Our work on Lowerhouse Lodges
The Trust is currently working with Gawthorpe Environmental Movement and Burnley Borough Council to restore water to the upper lodge. Improvements are also being made made to footpaths through the reserve. The site has been split into two sections, with the lower lodge being used by anglers and the upper lodge held exclusively for wildlife conservation.
What to see
The 11 hectare reserve has many habitats including wetland, woodland, grassland and scrub. Surveys carried out by The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside have identified a diverse range of 198 vascular plants, and over 60 bird species have been identified, 16 of which are of 'conservation concern'. 14 species of butterfly have also been recorded on the site along with darter dragonflies and Water Vole, which is a Lancashire Biodiversity Action Plan species.
Site Summary
Size: 11 hectares
Ownership: leased by Burnley Borough Council
Declared a Local Nature Reserve in 2000
How to get there
On Foot: The main entrance is on foot down Knotts Lane off Lowerhouse Lane.
Road: From junction 10 on the M65 take the A671 towards Burnley. At the next roundabout turn right onto Accrington Rd. Turn right at the first set of traffic lights onto Liverpool Rd. Go over the M65 then at the right hand bend turn left onto Lowerhouse Lane and continue to the junction with Knotts Lane. There is limited roadside parking.
Leeds & Liverpool Canal: 200m north east of canal at Molly Wood Bridge.
For more information about this site please contact:
John Lamb
East Lancashire Conservation Officer
tel: 01772 324129
email: John Lamb
