Barrington Nature Park

Barrington Nature Reserve is located between Colston and Cross Gates – an up-and-coming suburb in east Leeds.

Walking

The reserve has a couple of kilometres worth of walking. Ideal to bring the dog and let them off the leash.

There’s a marked trail on site but the path is grassy and uneven. Take care if you’re using nearby footpaths, as Austhorpe Lane is busy.

Flora

The reserve is a blend of dry and wetland. Most notably the wide open green space is a meadow of wild grass with a range of wildflowers flourishing in season.

If you want to witness the area at peak attractiveness, capture the fields of green and  yellow at sunrise and sundown.

Fauna

Wetlands are fantastic places to spot a huge variety of birds. In the 3 larger lakes and 2 smaller ponds grebes, coots and moorhens can make an appearance. The insect life is teeming during the spring and summer months; expect to see dragonflies, damselfly and butterflies.

Pond Dipping

All you need is a net, a tray, and some spoons to reveal what might be lurking in the depths of the ponds in Barrington Nature Reserve. Dipping down could uncover dragonfly nymph, great diving beetle or a froglet or two!

The nature reserve is light on amenities for visitors. There are no bins, no lighting and no pathed paths onsite making it difficult to navigate in poor weather.

Around a half-mile walk away is the Devon. This popular chain pub serves world inspired dishes and a wide range of drinks.

There is very limited parking just off Austhorpe Lane, LS15 8GB (Google Map Directions) – the track is unpaved and at the start of a walking route into the nature reserve.

Barrington Nature Reserve is made up of uneven bumpy ground that could be unsuitable for a wheelchair user, particularly during wet weather.