Skipwith Common National Nature Reserve

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Overview

Skipwith Common NNR on the Escrick Park Estate is Natural England’s newest NNR and has a wide variety of habitats, from wet and dry heathland to scrub woodland, and its associated wildlife. It represents one of the last remaining areas of northern lowland heath in England. An incredible variety of plants and animals depend on the common for their survival. Skipwith Common’s heathland has stayed almost the same for thousands of years – with evidence of its use by man for at least 4,000 years. The common is dotted with Bronze and Iron Age features as well as much evidence of its more recent past with the remains of Riccall airfield, where Halifax bomber crews were trained during World War II. There is a variety of rare heathland plants and a rich collection of dragonflies and other insects, and also a huge variety of birds can be spotted in and around the reserve.

Location

ESCRICK, YO19 6EA

About the area

North Yorkshire, with its two National Parks and two designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is England’s largest county and one of the most rural. This is prime walking country, from the heather-clad heights of the North York Moors to the limestone country that is so typical of the Yorkshire Dales – a place of contrasts and discoveries, of history and legend.

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Escrick North Yorkshire Things To Do in North Yorkshire

Skipwith Common National Nature Reserve

ESCRICK, YO19 6EA

0300 060 3900

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Skipwith Common National Nature Reserve

Recommended by

Overview

Skipwith Common NNR on the Escrick Park Estate is Natural England’s newest NNR and has a wide variety of habitats, from wet and dry heathland to scrub woodland, and its associated wildlife. It represents one of the last remaining areas of northern lowland heath in England. An incredible variety of plants and animals depend on the common for their survival. Skipwith Common’s heathland has stayed almost the same for thousands of years – with evidence of its use by man for at least 4,000 years. The common is dotted with Bronze and Iron Age features as well as much evidence of its more recent past with the remains of Riccall airfield, where Halifax bomber crews were trained during World War II. There is a variety of rare heathland plants and a rich collection of dragonflies and other insects, and also a huge variety of birds can be spotted in and around the reserve.

Location

ESCRICK, YO19 6EA

About the area

Area image

North Yorkshire, with its two National Parks and two designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is England’s largest county and one of the most rural. This is prime walking country, from the heather-clad heights of the North York Moors to the limestone country that is so typical of the Yorkshire Dales – a place of contrasts and discoveries, of history and legend.

Explore North Yorkshire

Escrick North Yorkshire Things To Do in North Yorkshire