High Leys NNR
High Leys NNR comprises five hedged fields that were once part of High Leys Farm, a property where modern farming methods were never practised.
County: Cumbria
Main habitats: Lowland Grassland
Area: 9 Ha
Site map: Nature on the Map
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The fields were last ploughed in the 1940s and traditional farming has preserved the flower-rich neutral grassland with over 130 plant species being recorded here.
There is variable drainage on the site resulting in the formation of damp and marshy areas near drier grassland. Vegetation at the site is also influenced by mineral-rich groundwater rising from a spring.
Grasses at the site include crested dog's-tail, purple moor, downy oat and quaking, with sedges such as long-stalked yellow, tawny, flea and hairy.
Wildflowers seen here include marsh marigold, black knapweed, cuckoo flower, tormentil, ox-eye daisy, marsh willowherb, yellow rattle, smooth hawksbeard and lousewort. There are several orchid species including common spotted, greater and lesser butterfly, early purple, northern marsh and heath spotted.
The reserve also supports breeding populations of willow warbler, curlew, lapwing and meadow pipit; and butterflies such as common blue, green-veined white, painted lady and meadow brown.
The best time to visit is summer, when there is most botanical interest.
Location and access
The reserve is almost immediately adjacent to the A5086, 1 km south east of the village of Rowrah.
The nearest train station is in Whitehaven (9 km to the west) served by Northern Rail. For details of local bus services go to the Traveline website.
There is no official car parking at the reserve, but there is a lay-by at the site's entrance.
The reserve is on Route 71 of the Sustrans National Cycle Network.
Although permission is not required to access the reserve, visitors are advised to contact the site manager in advance. For details email Natural England's Cumbria office, or telephone 01697 350005.
Facilities
The nearest toilet and refreshment facilities are in local towns and villages.
