The Nature Trail at North Lakes

One of our highest priorities is to blend the park with the natural environment. We have tried to encourage the wildlife by managing the trees and hedges, maintaining the meadow and adding the fishing lake. Our success can be measured by the great variety of flora and fauna you can enjoy discovering on your visits here.

The Pine Wood.
Pine woods support only a third of the wildlife that can be found in deciduous woods. But there is still plenty to discover. The fallen trees here are home to several different types of fungi - see how many you can find. The Pine Wood is also the base for a long eared owl that calls the Park home. With quiet patience you might be lucky enough to spot him.

'Dingley Dell' and the two streams.
Crossing from the Pine Wood to the lower ground, on the opposite side of the main road through the site, you will come across 'Dingley Dell'. This is an area of cool, quiet shade where the stream slows and forms tranquil pools. Here you can spot young trout darting in and out of the rocks and enjoy the variety of bog plants along the banks.

As you follow the stream down its course you may be lucky enough to find wild strawberry, raspberry and blackberry. These are delicious when ripe. You might also spot one of the water voles that live in the banks, but these are shy and you need to be patient.

The streams and pools, Misty Tarn and our garden pond are home to many frogs and toads. You can see them, and their spawn and tadpoles earlier in the season, as you explore. But please exercise caution at night as they do tend to move around the Park a lot.

The banks of the streams have been deliberately left wild and natural. However, some areas are coppiced to encourage new growth and help sustain the wildlife. If you are interested in coppicing, hurdle making or woodland management we are hoping to run regular courses - use our contact form to tell us what you want to learn about.

On the flat ground near where the 2 streams meet is a small patch of uncut grass. Each year between June and August you can see the Common Spotted Orchid in bloom. This small, but beautiful, orchid is a native of northern heathland and has found a foothold in the seclusion of our Park.

Another visitor to the Park that you may see in this area, and in the woods along the streams, is the red squirrel. We have seen a pair with babies so we are hopeful that they will set up residence.

The Night Sky.
Not really a natural feature of the Park itself, but star gazing here can be awe-inspiring. We are well away from towns and villages so light pollution is very low. We have also kept the lighting on the Park to an absolute minimum. On a clear night just sit back and soke up the vast majesty of the heavens above you.

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