Great crested grebes by Andrew Parkinson/2020VISION
Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve
Location
Holmeswood Road
Know before you go
Parking information
Car park is open 24 hours. £2 charge applies; £30 annual pass available.Walking trails
The site is accessible by foot at all times.
Access
95% of paths are suitable for wheelchairs and prams (shortcut through the pine wood is not suitable for wheelchairs). Six hides, the viewing platform and Visitor Centre are fully accessible. Two motorised buggies are available for loan from the Visitor Centre.
Dogs
Facilities
When to visit
Opening times
Visitor Centre: Tuesday - Sunday, 9:30am - 4:30pm. Open on Bank Holiday Mondays.Visitor Centre closed for six weeks from 16 September.
Car park closed on the following dates:
- 4pm on 4 December until 10am on 5 December
- 4pm on 9 December until 4pm on 10 December
- 7am - 4pm on 10 December for pedestrians
Best time to visit
Year-roundAbout the reserve
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE VISITOR CENTRE WILL BE CLOSED FOR SIX WEEKS FROM 16 SEPTEMBER WHILE WE START REFURBISHMENTS
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CAR PARK WILL BE CLOSED ON THE FOLLOWING DATES:
- 4pm on 4 December until 10am on 5 December
- 4pm on 9 December until 4pm on 10 December
- 7am - 4pm on 10 December for pedestrians
Nestled amongst the peaceful agricultural landscape of Rufford, Mere Sands Wood is a true wildlife haven.
Spring and summer see new life bloom in the form of marsh orchids and broad buckler fern, while the air buzzes with dragonflies and birdsong. Keep your eyes peeled for species like bullfinches, tree sparrows, great spotted woodpeckers and even sparrowhawks as they fly to and from their nests in the woodland. If you are lucky you may spot the rare willow tit, and if you take a seat in one of the lakeside hides you may even see great crested grebes performing their elaborate courtship ritual.
Autumn and winter mark the arrival of overwintering birds like charming teal, handsome pintail and comical shoveler. Other water birds like little grebes, kingfisher, goosander and bittern have all drawn crowds in recent years, while the lakes and reedbeds also support water rail, reed buntings, goldeneye, pochard, gadwall and more. In all, over 170 bird species have been seen on the reserve, and 60 are known to have bred.
But Mere Sands Wood isn’t just a birder’s paradise – mammal-lovers will relish the opportunity to try and spot roe deer, stoats and foxes as they creep through the broadleaved and conifer woodland. A mature Scots pine plantation supports a small population of red squirrels, while water voles inhabit the ditches bordering the neighbouring arable land.
A mosaic of habitats including heaths and sandy, wet meadows encourages an impressive array of plants to flourish. Wildflowers like marsh helleborine, golden dock, yellow bartsia and lesser centaury add stunning splashes of colour, while the pink hues of common spotted, early and southern marsh orchids contrast beautifully with buttery yellow-wort.
You can find out more about our Mere Sands Wood nature reserve by listening to the audio trails at the bottom of this page. Enjoy!
Contact us
Environmental designation
Listen to our Mere Sands Wood audio trails
Hi-Tech Audio Trail
Sensory Audio Trail
History Audio Trail
Every time we go to Lancashire Wildlife Trust’s Mere Sands Wood, we find peace and encouragement, a new beginning… It’s part of who we are and we are the richer for it.
