Amy Lewis
Accessibility on our nature reserves
Access for all
We believe that limited mobility shouldn't mean missing out on wildlife. Many of our reserves have accessible paths and boardwalks, disabled facilities and accessible bird hides, so you can fully immerse yourself in the great outdoors and discover the wonderful wildlife that lives on your doorstep.
Ade Clarke @ClarkePictures
The natural world should be for everyone
We are working hard to make sure our beautiful reserves can be accessed by everyone.
Find your nearest accessible nature reserve
Not sure where to go for your next nature walk? Plan ahead and find an accessible nature reserve in Lancashire.
Brockholes
Brockholes Nature Reserve by Charlotte Varela
A wetland wonder that brims with beautiful birds. Most of the footpaths are level and surfaced, and the kissing gates are accessible for smaller wheelchairs. There is a vehicle access gate next to all kissing gates on surfaced paths - if you use a large mobility vehicle or pushchair you can obtain a key to these gates.
Lunt Meadows
David Price
Not only is Lunt Meadows a haven for wildlife, it also acts as a vital flood storage reservoir and is home to a 9,000 year old Mesolithic archaeology site. This birder's paradise features a mosaic of wetlands, reedbeds and grasslands home to a huge variety of wildlife. The fully accessible Learning Centre is home to a lovely cafe, and a newly surfaced path leads form the car park to an accessible viewing platform from which you can take in the whole Lunt Meadows vista.
Mere Sands Wood
Great crested grebes by Andrew Parkinson/2020VISION
A tranquil wildlife oasis that is a haven for wildfowl, waders and wildflowers. The three hides and two viewing screens all include accessibility features including smooth, unobstructed entry ways and floors, with plenty of room to manoeuvre inside. They also feature windows at various heights, some with benches and others with open window bays for wheelchair access. Most of the paths around Mere Sands Wood are now surfaced and wide enough for wheelchair users and people with prams or buggies. Sparrowhawks, buzzards, great-crested grebes and great-spotted woodpeckers are just a handful of the breeding species.
Cross Hill Quarry
Most of the footpaths in this mosaic of woodland and meadows are wheelchair-friendly. Cross Hill Quarry is a haven for orchids, while spring brings migrating warblers, grey wagtails and sand martins.
Foxhill Bank
Foxhill Bank by Alan Wright
A hidden gem in the heart of Oswaldtwistle. The reserve is wheelchair accessible, but there are some steep steps on circular routes. Jewel-like kingfishers brighten up the brook and dippers bob along the rocks.
Little Woolden Moss
Short-eared owl at Little Woolden Moss Credit Ben Secker
Little Woolden Moss was once an industrial horticultural peat extraction site, scarred, barren and devoid of life. But visit today and you will be met by a sea of cotton grass, sphagnum moss, rare peatland plants and an array of amazing wildlife. A surfaced path (or varying widths) runs around three sides of the site and provides access to a viewing area with bench. There are some kissing gates which should be accessible to smaller wheelchairs and buggies, but may not be suitable for mobility scooters or larger wheelchairs.
