Reserve Closure
This reserve will close on Thursday 14 November for an all-staff meeting. Please check locally for site specific closure times and details.
Days out
Dearne Valley – Old Moor
Barnsley and RotherhamClosed | Opens tomorrowSee opening timesChase a butterfly in our meadow blooming with wildflowers, watch for the blue flash of a Kingfisher or borrow a pond dipping kit to see what creatures lurk beneath.
About
Wander through wetland habitats at Old Moor, stopping to take in sweeping views from the hides, Kingfisher-spotting opportunities and the chance to hear the elusive Bittern boom. This family-friendly nature reserve is teeming with wildlife. Enjoy idyllic walks, wildlife watching, pond-dipping plus an adventure playground for kids.
In spring, Great Crested Grebes put on a show for mating season, while summer sees the meadow come alive with orchids, wildflowers and butterflies. In autumn, look out for Barn Owls swooping across the reedbeds and meadows. The winter months bring vast flocks of ducks and geese including Wigeons (listen out for their whistling call), and birds of prey which send them scattering into the sky.
Old Moor is a brilliant reserve for little ones, with an adventure playground, wild play areas and The Lookout, a hide especially designed for families. You can hire discovery backpacks and we have family trails and activity sheets. From April to the end of October you can also hire pond dipping kits.
Find our downloadable trail maps below, to help you plan your visit.
At a glance
We have 250 spaces with 6 Blue Badge spaces in our tarmacked car park. Additionally there is a drop-off point closer to the visitor centre. Please note, there is no lighting in car park, no height restriction barrier. Overnight parking or camping is not permitted and the car park is locked overnight). Bicycle racks are available.
We have two accessible toilets, one has changing facilities (table and hoist). They are located just next to our visitor centre, accessed via the courtyard.
Changing units are located in the mens, womens and accessible toilets on the ground floor, just next to our visitor centre, accessed via the courtyard.
All the paths are flat and have hard surfaces, although there are some inclines with refuge points. The trail to the Bittern Hide does have a steep gradient with refuge points and hand rail. Seating and refuge points are available at intervals of approximately every 100 m with and without backs.
All the paths are flat and have hard surfaces, although there are some inclines with refuge points. The trail to the Bittern Hide does have a steep gradient with refuge points and hand rail. Seating and refuge points are available at intervals of approximately every 100 m with and without backs.
Mens, Ladies and accessible toilets are located just next to our visitor centre, accessed via the courtyard with additional Mens and Ladies toilets upstairs in the Cafe.
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.
Dogs are welcome in the courtyard at Old Moor, but no dogs, except assistance dogs, are permitted on the reserve, or in the Visitor Centre due to the sensitive wildlife and habitats here.
We know that the countryside is a dog walking paradise. It’s important to remember the special surroundings here are wonderful havens for rare wildlife. Even if dogs are very well behaved, wildlife can easily become startled by a dog they perceive as a predator.
Disturbing wildlife does more than simply causing it to move away; it uses up their energy, decreasing their chance of survival regardless of season.
Thank you for protecting the special wildlife by not exercising your dog here.
Other exciting dog walking routes are available to enjoy in the local area; try our satellite sites at Adwick Washlands, Gypsy Marsh or Edderthorpe where dogs are welcome on a lead or under close control.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all parts of the reserve.
See what’s here
This is a great location to spot Kingfishers
The vibrant azure and copper feathers of the Kingfisher make them one of the UK’s most colourful and instantly recognisable birds. But blink and you’ll miss them – they dart along rivers and streams at high speeds. RSPB nature reserves and our care-taking teams provide safe wetland havens for these special birds and their fishy prey.
Read more about how we are working protect these birds and defend their habitats:
Save nature while you staycation
Holidaycottages.co.uk is working with the RSPB to restore UK woodland for future generations to enjoy. Every booking with Holidaycottages.co.uk supports woodland restoration projects at key RSPB reserves around the country, protecting the wildlife that makes the UK an extraordinary place for a holiday.
New to Holidaycottages.co.uk portfolio of handpicked self-catering holiday cottages is the Showcase Collection: Near RSPB Reserves. At these extraordinary homes, immerse yourself in the diverse landscapes of RSPB reserves and get up close to some of the UK’s most cherished native wildlife.
Find out about school visits
Bring your science and geography lessons to life with our curriculum linked sessions run by our learning team on the reserve. We offer a variety of hands on, practical sessions which you can choose from. Find out more about our school visits here.
Contact Dearne Valley – Old Moor
old.moor@rspb.org.uk schoolbookings@rspb.org.uk Dearne Valley - Old Moor, Old Moor Lane Wombwell, Barnsley, Barnsley, S73 0YF 01226 751593