Withnell Local Nature Reserve
Location
Main entrance - Bolton Road, Abbey Village. Please follow the brown tourist signage.
Entrance 2 - Fellstone Vale, Withnell, PR6 8UE.
Parking
There is no dedicated parking for the site.
About the area
This 4.7 hectare site is a former railway cutting which links the village of Withnell, with Abbey Village. The area has been designated as a conservation area and forms an important wildlife corridor between the Nature Reserve at Withnell Fold and the West Pennine Moors. It is a Green Flag park.
Visitors enjoying the walk between the villages can expect to see a large variety of wildlife including the Grey Squirrel, Common Shrew, Weasels and Stoats. Bats are also thought to roost under the aqueduct at night. A stream, pond and marshy areas host a number of amphibian species such as frogs, toads and newts. The abundance of berries and insects accommodate a valuable bird rich habitat which includes Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Green Woodpeckers.
There is a Withnell Local Nature Reserve Working Day - First Monday of every month 10am till 2pm (except Bank Holidays). The group meet at the Fellstone Vale entrance.