Leighton Moss

⚠  Lower Hide – What’s Happening? 

We’re excited to announce that we’re replacing Lower Hide with a new structure. The works will start in September, due to finish in November 2024 – weather permitting. The new hide is being designed and built to give our visitors a better experience at RSPB Leighton Moss. For more details read our blog here. 

The hide will not be accessible whilst the work is carried out. We apologise for any inconvenience to visitors. Please take a look at our social media channels Facebook, @RSPBLeightonM / X where we’ll post regular progress updates. We’ll update this message with any significant news, including when the hide is open again. ⚠ 

Leighton Moss is home to the largest reed bed in north-west England. This sweeping expanse provides shelter to a spectacular range of wildlife including Otters, Bearded Tits, Marsh Harriers, egrets and Red Deer. Why not come and see for yourself?

Set against the shores of the nearby Morecambe Bay, this Lancashire nature reserve is a wetland paradise where wild creatures roam reedbeds, mudflats, coastal marsh and saltwater lagoons. Explore a bit further and you will also find pockets of woodland and limestone grasslands.

The team at Leighton Moss works to make sure the different habitats are places where nature can thrive. The reedbeds need to be extensively cut back in summer and winter to create ideal conditions for Bearded Tits, Otters, Bitterns and wintering wildfowl. We also monitor and manage the water levels all year round.

We have increased the size of the reedbeds in recent years, adding a further 200 hectares. Our inner marshes are grazed by cattle to create suitable conditions for these birds throughout the year.

The limestone grassland and woodland is managed by putting cattle out to graze and rotating when we cut back trees, to provide a mix of established trees and new growth.

Download our trail map, to help you plan your visit.