
© John Smith


Know before you go
Entry fee
Free accessParking information
Parking is available on Adbolton Lane – there is a small car park at the main entrance to the south of the road, and a layby on the northern side.Grazing animals
Cattle graze the fenced off compartments during the summer and autumn.Walking trails
There are four designated trails. Site is accessible for wheelchair users.
Access
There are cafés and toilets at Holme Pierrepont Country Park – a short walk or drive away.
Access to the reserve is open at all times. The site has accessible trails for wheelchair users and pushchairs. Contact the Trust for more information.
Dogs
Facilities
When to visit
Opening times
Open at all timesBest time to visit
Seasonal highlights include Grey wagtail and Reed warbler in Summer, and Redwing, Fieldfare and Gadwall in Winter.About the reserve
This reserve, created in 1982, is believed to be the first of its kind in the country laid out specifically for the benefit of wheelchair users. Once a commercial gravel pit, this area has been colonised with plants and animals. A range of wetland birds can be seen on the reserve, such as great crested grebe, kingfisher and reed bunting.
In 2014 with significant support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Environment Agency, Rushcliffe Borough Council and Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s members and donors, we were able to purchase land adjacent to the original Skylarks site and embark on the exciting ‘Not a Blott on the Landscape’ project, an ambitious program to transform the newly purchased land into a 115 acre accessible nature reserve, providing a vital natural haven, protecting important habitats and securing a legacy for the 100,000 people who live within 10 minutes of the reserve.
The funding available allowed us to significantly invest in access improvements and engagement programmes set to work to reach out to people and inspire them to visit, participate and learn. Key to this idea was that the project should engage people across varied themes, namely the natural heritage and the archaeological significance of the site.
Skylarks Nature Reserve has routes and walks for all, including a 2 mile footpath linking viewing screens and board-walks, situated at prime locations around the site, allowing fantastic views and access to lakes, woodlands, ponds, reed beds, meadows, scrapes and islands.
Species
Contact us
Environmental designation

Skylarks Factsheets
Sklarks factsheet - Introduction
Skylarks factsheet - Birds
Skylarks factsheet - Mammals
Skylarks factsheet - Pond life
Skylarks factsheet - Plant life
Skylarks factsheet - Woodland
Skylarks factsheet - Insects
Skylarks factsheet - Butterflies
Skylarks factsheet - Sounds
Skylarks factsheet - Archaeology
Skylarks zone map
© Michael Welsh