グレートアンドリトルプレストンでののおすすめウォーキング＆ハイキングルート

Plenty of water fowl!

Lovely staff in the cafe, nice hot cuppa with a view

Pushchair friendly purple route

St Aiden's RSPB Reserve is a significant nature reserve located near Castleford in West Yorkshire. It covers over 600 acres and is part of the Aire Valley. It was developed on former coal mining land, transforming it into a thriving habitat for wildlife

Something that doesn't belong. Near the sign by the pedestrian gate...

Great shots of the wear.

Note to self; Wear wellies and not walking boots in winter.

The RSPB site is the main draw but a bonus is the awesome relic of this former opencast coal mine which is the behemoth Walking Dragline Excavator parked by the side of the RSPB cafe. The stretch of walk on the west from the Lemonroyd Marina is a bit dull being enclosed by a wire fence but once the waterways of the bird sanctuary open up, the walk becomes a delight. Easy walking, all on the flat and about 5 miles in length.

really enjoyed this trip this morning we're just trying out the old railway line, but couldn't resist having a coffee and croissant at the RSPB and a few circuits around the RSPB then back on the old railway line. just brilliant.

The Greenhouse Cafe on the Methley side of St Aidens is an excellent stopping place for Drink or something to eat well worth a try, their smoked salmon with cream cheese bagel sandwich are awsome

Fantastic gravel riding

Nice pork pie and a loo stop

St Aidan's is an RSPB nature reserve located between Leeds and Castleford. Visiting now and seeing how well-established it is, it's hard to belive that the 400-hectare site was formerly an opencast coal mine. Some of the huge old machinery has been left on site by the entrance as a reminder of the past. The lakes are a great place to spot birds and there are walking trails and bridleways cutting across the reserve. It's very easy to get to by bike as as both the NCN67 and 697 run right next to it. It's lovely just to ride through or spend a day there. There's a small cafe and toilets on site too. https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/st-aidans/

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.

What a view for having a coffee

Looked stunning today and very hot

Be prepared to get muddy

A serene waterside spot, sheltered by the surrounding woodland. It makes for a great place to stop and have a nosey at the characterful array of vessels and barges that line the marina. Combine an amble here with nearby RSPB St Aidens, where you can spot hen harriers, skylarks, bitterns, short-eared owls and black headed gulls.

A photo of "Oddball" and a Hawk

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 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EZCd07SKqE