Mere Sands Wood

Towering pine trees, dappled with sunshine, stretching away from camera in the pine woodland of Mere Sands Wood

Mere Sands Wood by Charlotte Varela

Welcome to Mere Sands Wood

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.
Lancashire Wildlife Trust

Explore our peaceful wildlife haven

Nestled amongst the peaceful agricultural landscape of Rufford, Mere Sands Wood is a true wildlife haven, home to dragonflies, kingfishers, bitterns and so much more! 

Explore the reserve

 

Take a look at some of our most frequently asked questions below

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

A fly agaric mushroom poking out of the grass

Fly agaric by Dawn Monrose

A secret garden

Mere Sands Wood is a wildflower and fungi haven. Spring and summer bring orchids, yellow-wort and yellow bartsia, while autumn and winter usher in fly agaric, earthballs and common stinkhorn.

A child in a wheelchair visiting an accessible nature reserve

Ade Clarke @ClarkePictures

Accessible nature trails

95% of paths are suitable for wheelchairs and prams, while six of our hides are fully accessible.

A lake at Mere Sands Wood on a peaceful sunny day

Mere Sands Wood by Phil Smith

A mosaic of wild spaces

Dry heath, woodland, wetland and sandy, wet meadows combine to create a true wildlife refuge. You may even spot rare species like red squirrels in the conifers!

Our Visitor Centre and Cafe

Beautifully clad in wood from the reserve, the visitor centre blends into the reeds and is the perfect place to relax during your visit. Come inside for a brew and a bite to eat in our cosy cafe before browsing the nature-themed shop. Enjoy the view of the lake or birds on the feeders through our floor-to-ceiling windows - fitted with bird-safe glass from Pilkington AviSafeâ„¢.

Wildfowl, waders and abundant wildflowers thrive in this tranquil oasis of lakes and woodland.

Star species

With woods, lakes, meadows and heath meeting in one magical nature reserve, there is so much wildlife to see at Mere Sands Wood. Some species only stay for a brief holiday, while others live here all year-round, but one thing's for sure - there is always something special to spot.

Mere Sands Wood: Visitor Hub and Cafe

This project is part-funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas

Mere Sands Wood: Visitor Hub and Cafe is part-funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development

The project also received additional funding from individual Lancashire Wildlife Trust members and supporters, as well as:

We received funding from a number of organisations for the Mere Sands Wood Visitor Centre