What's here? at Dove Stone
Available on site
Open at all times Main council managed car park just outside Greenfield. 117 spaces plus four Blue Badge bays.
RSPB members can park here for free with their membership card on display in the windscreen.
Alternatively, there is a smaller RSPB car park at Binn Green, off the A635 Greenfield to Holmfirth road.
There are accessible toilets at the main car park managed by Oldham Council, RADAR key needed. Open Mon-Sat 8am – 5.15pm, Sun 8am – 4pm The toilets at Binn Green are permanently closed.
Prior to your visit, please contact the reserve directly for detailed information.
Prior to your visit, please contact the reserve directly for detailed information. Main visitor trail part tarmac, part gravel surfaced 2.5 mile (4 km) circular route around Dove Stone Reservoir. Fairly level but steep in two places. Radar keys are required to access stock gates.
Viewpoint at Binn Green car park up short, wide, surfaced track. Two wheelchair accessible picnic tables. There are future plans to improve the gravel surfaces around the site to make them easier for wheelchair access.
There are toilets at the main car park managed by Oldham Council. Open Mon-Sat 8am – 5.15pm, Sun 8am – 4pm The toilets at Binn Green are permanently closed.
There is sometimes a hot food van on site as well as an ice cream van in the main car park, mainly at weekends or in good weather only. These are not managed by the RSPB and we recommend bringing your own food and drinks if this is likely to impact your visit.
There are 5 picnic tables and benches at Ashway Gap picnic area, including 2 with wheelchair/pushchair friendly seating.
Guided Walks
All trails and public rights of way are open. Main visitor trail part tarmac, part gravel surfaced 2.5 mile (4 km) circular route around Dove Stone Reservoir.
Fairly level but steep in two places. Radar keys are required to access stock gates. Starts about 50m from the Blue Badge bays in main car park.
Wooden benches (most with backs and some with arms) at fairly regular intervals along path 1.5 mile (2 km) trail around adjacent Yeoman Hey Reservoir. Rough, undulating grassy track and can be muddy Part Tarmac/part gravel steep track up to Chew Reservoir, 1.5 miles (2.5 km).
Access to reservoirs and woodland trails from RSPB car park down a 1.5 mile (2.5 km) steep woodland track with steps and narrow stone stile.
Several informal woodland trails as well as large areas of open access countryside. There are future plans to improve the gravel surfaces around the site to make them easier for wheelchair access.
Not available on site
There are no dedicated baby changing facilities.
BBQs are a fire risk, endangering other people and the precious wildlife and habitats here. They are not permitted on the reserve at any time.
Schools are welcome though there are no formal educational facilities onsite. If more information is needed prior to a visit, please contact us. Groups are welcome though some activities will need permission from United Utilities and it is helpful if you could let the RSPB site team know you are coming.
Please email Miriam.biran@rspb.org.uk.
There is no visitor centre at this reserve.
There are no covered viewing points, hides or viewing screens at this reserve. There is a bird feeding viewpoint close to the Binn Green car park which is accessed using a short, wide, surfaced track with a gradient.
Restrictions
Dogs are welcome on the footpaths around the reserve, but please do not allow your dog to chase wildlife and remember that dogs can disturb birds that nest on the ground or damage their eggs. Between March and July all dogs must be kept on a lead at all times.
Disturbing wildlife does more than simply causing it to move away; it uses up their energy, decreasing their chance of survival regardless of the season.
Please clean up after your dog, there are 4 dog waste bins on the reserve for your convenience, please take the bagged waste to one of these bins.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all parts of the reserve.