Moorlands Woodland Nature Reserve

Finding tranquility in a former Edwardian woodland garden near York, England

Apr 18, 2025

Moorlands Nature Reserve in early summer / ©AngieDawn

Today’s post is about a little-known nature reserve just outside York - Moorlands Woodland Nature Reserve. Now managed by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, this lovely little reserve was once an Edwardian woodland garden, part of the ancient Forest of Galtres. It’s a peaceful place to spend a couple of hours to unwind and just enjoy being in nature.

A single trail enters the reserve and soon splits to form a circular loop of about 1km. It can be muddy in winter, but is very easy walking at other times, suitable for all ages. In spring the entrance trail is surrounded by daffodils, creating a very welcoming scene.

A short way along the trail a couple of small ponds are encountered. Depending on the season these are good places to spot frogs and dragonflies as well as some colourful flowers. A well-placed bench allows you to take in the tranquil setting and enjoy listening to the birdsong.

A small pond bordered by flowering flame azalea shrubs / ©AngieDawn

Marsh marigold flowering beside a pond / ©AngieDawn

Being a former woodland garden, trees are of course a major feature of the reserve.

Moorlands contains many beautiful old rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias and camellias. In late spring and early summer the reserve is simply bursting with colour.

Camellias and rhododendrons / ©AngieDawn

Some of the rhododendrons are very old and fragile. It is important not to let children climb on these because they can easily be damaged.

Ancient rhododendrons in Moorlands / ©AngieDawn

There are many other old trees in the reserve, including maples, oaks and a couple of dawn redwoods. During the years we have been visiting some old trees have been damaged in storms, and I definitely wouldn’t visit in strong winds. A number of ash trees have also been felled recently for safety reasons after being infected with ash dieback disease.

I photographed the mossy old tree below, covered in bracket fungi, several years ago. The next time we visited the tree had fallen, and its stump has been decaying since.

Ancient tree, no longer standing / ©AngieDawn

Although it is always sad to see old trees damaged or destroyed, the fallen trees and branches in Moorlands are not wasted. Many are left lying on the ground to provide important deadwood habitat for invertebrates and fungi. Some are used to create wildlife-friendly deadwood fences, and some turned into benches, quirky sculptures and carvings.

Moorlands is a great place to be a bug! As well as all the dead wood and leaf litter on the reserve there are some very welcoming bug hotels. So important, given the huge reduction in flying insect numbers in recent years.

An interesting feature in the centre of the reserve is a treehouse built around a tree trunk! This is, of course, popular with kids. But it is also big enough for adults, and makes an excellent bird hide as it overlooks some feeders. I have seen woodpeckers, jays, treecreepers and nuthatches in the trees around here. Owls sometimes roost in the old trees, and buzzards are often seen circling overhead.

The trees in Moorlands support lots of bats as well as the many species of birds. Bat boxes have been provided, and several species have been recorded on the reserve.

Although undoubtedly at its most vibrant in spring when the rhododendrons and azaleas are flowering, Moorlands is also well worth a visit in autumn. This is the best time to spot fungi among the leaf litter. It is also when the maple trees are at their most colourful.