It’s now officially The Wildlife Trusts’ #BigWildWalk 2023 (16^th-30^th October)!

It’s not too late to sign up to fundraise as part of Big Wild Walk and explore our wild world whilst fundraising to protect it. It doesn’t have to be a huge hike, it can be climbing the height of a mountain on your stairs or simply walking at your local park or nature reserve!

In the spirit of all things active and autumnal, we asked staff what their favourite reserves were for a peaceful walk. Below they have listed their firm favourites and the exciting wildlife they have seen there.

Longworth Clough

0.5 miles north west of Egerton, Bolton, Lancashire, BL7 9PU

Longworth Clough is my favourite as it is large and has a feeling of remoteness that I don’t think you get on many of our reserves. The ponies are also a big plus as they let me stroke them, eventually. We have a lot of work to do there, but I’m glad as I love spending time there. 

John Haddon, South Lancashire Reserve Officer

I recently decided to visit Longworth Clough, as it’s a reserve I hadn’t been to before. Even on a grey, drizzly day, it was a beautiful place to explore with lush greenery all round.

The peaceful sounds of the stream soundtracked our walk as we listened for birds (with a little help from my phone we identified calls of the long-tailed tit, jay, goldcrest, blue tit, robin, crow, meadow pipit and reed bunting), and as we climbed the path out of the reserve, we enjoyed beautiful views over the hills and all the way down to Manchester.

We even got to watch a kestrel hunting over the moors. I would really recommend visiting this hidden gem!

Laura Cronin, Fundraising and Digital Marketing Officer

My favourite reserve is Longworth Clough in Bolton. Around Eastertime the sessile oaks are not quite in full leaf, leaving gaps to spy on the shy migrant birds newly arrived from Africa.

In the past I've seen the oak woodland specialists like pied flycatcher and redstart, but no wood warbler: I will however keep trying!

John Loder, Trustee

Preston Junction LNR

Preston, PR1 9RF

Preston Junction lies just over the River Ribble, crossing the old East Lans railway bridge that dissects Avenham and Miller Park in Preston city centre. The real strength of this reserve is its proximity to the city centre - not many cities can have such an extensive amount of walking routes and countryside close to their centres.

There is a network of good quality paths replacing the old railway lines, giving the reserve its name, Preston Junction.  Pathways run along the old railway embankments giving elevated views of the surrounding fields, river and city skylines. 

Various walking routes are signposted, from a 20 minute stroll to a full day walk that could also take in Fishwick bottoms and Brockholes Nature Reserve. Together with the well-defined tarmac paths there several more informal tracks through the fields either side of the embankment.

There is a real patchwork of habitats to take in, lovely areas of wildflowers, mixed woodland, arable fields, ponds, streams and more. Buzzards and kestrels are regularly seen overhead, lapwings and oyster catchers in the fields adjacent to the river and herons and little egrets at the river’s edge. If you are very lucky, you may see an otter in the river or one of the steams.

Chris Taylor, Volunteer Coordinator

Aughton Woods

Five miles north east of Lancaster, between Aughton and Caton, Aughton, Lancashire

I recently discovered a new LWT nature reserve that I had not been to before but is now one of my favourites: Aughton Woods near Crook O’ Lune, a couple of miles east of Lancaster.

I visited on the first day of meteorological autumn and was accompanied by the sound of falling acorns (it’s quite a “mast year” this year), and soon the leaf colours, especially reflected in the mighty River Lune, will be extraordinary. Highly recommended as an autumn walk!

Tom Burditt, CEO

Cutacre

Off Mort Lane, close to the Wigan/Salford border, Lancashire

Cutacre is practically on my doorstep and has become a firm favourite of mine. I recently witnessed some swallows migrating above, drawn in by their unique bird call. If you're looking to practice your birdsong ID skills, this is the place to be. Just use an ID app on your phone and you're likely to pick up three or four different birds at any one time,

The first time I visited, the sound of Lapwing made me stop in my tracks and one soared overheard, showing off! Bittersweet nightshade and a pink form of yarrow both caught my attention recently too.

I love that it is quite a flat and open reserve, so I’ve often seen people in wheelchairs out enjoying nature on the paths.

Lydia German, Senior Content and Campaigns Officer

If you decide to visit any of these reserves, or are generally fundraising for us as part of Big Wild Walk, don’t forget to tag us on X or Instagram or send us a message on Facebook and we’ll reshare your photos. We’re looking forward to seeing what you get up to!