Days out
Langford Lowfields
South CollinghamOpenSee opening timesThis reserve proves wonderful things happen when we work together for nature – come to this former quarry to witness wetland wildlife in all its glory.
About
⚠ Autumn Amble guided walk at Langford on Sunday 20th October: Autumn Amble at RSPB Langford Lowfields
What was once a sand and gravel quarry is now a thriving wetland wildlife haven. At the heart of this growing reserve is a flourishing reedbed where Bitterns boom, Brown Hares leap and Marsh Harriers swoop.
Langford Lowfields is a wonderful example of what happens when we work together to support nature. The reserve is a partnership between the RSPB and Tarmac, that showcases wetland habitat creation and provides much-needed habitat for threatened wildlife.
As well as being a blueprint for rewilding industrial sites, this Nottinghamshire nature reserve is home to a host of ever-changing wildlife spectacles, featuring an all-star cast. Spring is breeding season and an ideal time to see and hear the iconic Bitterns alongside 10 species of noisy warblers. Summer sees the reserve alive with colourful wildflowers and Hobbies zipping after their dragonfly prey. In autumn, wildfowl flocks begin to gather and wading birds drop in to refuel on their long journeys south. Cold winter days bear witness to ghostly Barn Owls and Starling murmurations, which twist and turn through the skies.
We manage Langford Lowfields primarily for the benefit of the wildlife that uses it and the reserve will continue to develop and expand as time goes on. The reedbed that sits at the heart of the reserve is the largest in the East Midlands and with parts of the site having been restored by Tarmac as recently as 2018, the reedbed features a diverse range of habitats from bare muddy islands through to mature stands of reed.
Key reedbed management tasks include the planting of reed seedlings during the summer and the cutting of older reed during the winter. The reedbed is complemented by areas of grassland, scrub and a woodland. Work in the woodland is focused on increasing diversity and on giving the oak trees more room to spread, whilst the thorny scrub blocks are managed to ensure a mix of age structures, supporting as many insect and bird species as possible.
Download our trail map, to help you plan your visit.
At a glance
15 spaces.
Situated off Cottage Lane.
There is a height restriction barrier of 2.2m.
Bicycle rack.
There is one Blue Badge holder space available. This is situated 50m from the entrance to the public footpath bordering the reserve, but 850m from the entrance to the internal visitor trails. There is no charge for Blue Badge holders.
No toilet facilities on-site.
The nearest public toilets are in Newark-on-Trent around 5 miles away.
No baby changing facilities on-site.
The nearest public toilets are in Newark-on-Trent around 5 miles away.
The surfaced public footpath running from the car park up the eastern boundary of the site is most suitable for pushchair users; however pushchairs have successfully been used on the mown grass paths on the main visitor trails.
The surfaced public footpath running from the car park up the eastern boundary of the site is most suitable for wheelchair users; however motorised mobility scooter users have successfully used the mown grass paths on the main visitor trails.
No toilet facilities on-site.
The nearest public toilets are in Newark-on-Trent around 5 miles away.
BBQs are a fire risk, endangering other people and the precious wildlife and habitats here. They are not permitted on the nature reserve at any time.
Sorry, dogs are not permitted on the nature reserve (except assistance dogs), due to the sensitive wildlife and habitats here.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all parts of the reserve.
See what’s here
Contact Langford Lowfields
langford.beckingham@rspb.org.uk Langford Lowfields Nature Reserve, Cottage Lane, Collingham, Nottinghamshire, NG23 7RF 01636 893611