St Aidan’s is a stunning nature reserve that’s close to Leeds city centre. With lots of trails to explore on foot or bike, it’s super easy to enjoy the spectacular views and wonderful wildlife. As the reserve is in the care of the RSPB, birdlife is especially abundant, as you might expect. Keep a look out for birds including bitterns, avocets, black terns, skylarks and meadow pipits.

Pat

October 1, 2020

Mountain biking

Picture of "Oddball" the machine that excavated the open cast mine
Love this place and thanks you to the volunteers for keeping it so nice

Pat

October 1, 2020

Mountain biking

The machine is "oddball" and was used to excavate the open cast mine
St Aidan's is a 400-hectare nature park located between Leeds and Castleford in West Yorkshire, England. The land was formerly an opencast coal mining area that was flooded in 1988, after the riverbank collapsed. Repairs and remediation required its own act in Parliament to allow the necessary works to go ahead
Take a look inside

Nearby routes

Best routes near RSPB St Aidan's Nature Reserve

4.9

(38)

230

riders

1. Lemonroyd Marina – RSPB St Aidan's Nature Reserve loop from Burley Park

45.1km

03:07

200m

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Moderate

4.8

(11)

147

riders

2. Lemonroyd Marina – Rothwell Greenway loop from Outwood

46.0km

03:10

330m

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Moderate

4.8

(13)

116

riders

3. Woodlesford Lock – Skelton Lake loop from Cross Gates

28.9km

02:10

180m

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Moderate

Details

Informations

Elevation 80 m

Weather

Today

Sunday 15 March

10°C

3°C

88 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 22.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See nearby routes

Take Me There

Location: Great And Little Preston, Leeds, Yorkshire And The Humber, England, United Kingdom

Other Popular Places to Check Out

RSPB St Aidan's Nature Reserve

Old Coal Mine Railway Path

Castleford Greenway Art Bridge

View from Caroline Bridge

Ledsham St. Mary's Church

Aire and Calder Navigation Cycleway

Woodland Path

View of the Main Lake

Bench With View of the Lake

Sharlston Common Bridleway

Cormorant at St Aidan's Nature Park

County of North Yorkshire Sign

RSPB St Aidan's Nature Reserve

1. Lemonroyd Marina – RSPB St Aidan's Nature Reserve loop from Burley Park

2. Lemonroyd Marina – Rothwell Greenway loop from Outwood

3. Woodlesford Lock – Skelton Lake loop from Cross Gates

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Sign up or log in to keep exploring this route

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️