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Habitat and wildlife
Wykebeck Woods is an area of ancient semi-natural, broad-leaved wet woodland south of Roundhay Park. The meadow on the hillside provides a varied display of wildflowers through the summer with the woodlands below having a breeding bird assemblage including song thrush and tree creeper.
There is historical and archaeological interest with the remains of a formal designed garden (part of the grounds of the now demolished Asket Hill House) which includes tree species such as Lombardy poplar. There are also the remains of a collapsed stone footbridge, stone weir and a large stone bridge and carriage drive.
Access
A surfaced footpath runs through the reserve with entrances on Wetherby Road and Easterly Road.
Click to expand Wykebeck Woods and Asket Hill
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Habitat
Arthur’s Rein is an area of semi-improved grassland with areas of less intensively mown, species-rich grassland providing a varied wildflower display in the summer. It lies adjacent to the Wyke Beck, south of Easterly Road (A58) and north of Foundry Lane. There are scattered trees and small areas of planted broad-leaved woodland a mixture of broad-leaved trees, including alder, common oak, sycamore and willow.
Access
A surfaced footpath runs the length of Arthur’s Rein from Easterly Road to Foundry Lane. The
runs parallel with the footpath on the eastern side of Wyke Beck. Wyke Beck Cycle Way
Click to expand Arthur’s Rein
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Habitat and wildlife
Killingbeck Fields (running parallel with Wykebeck Valley Road from Foundry Lane to York Road) is an area of species rich neutral grassland divided up by a complex of old hedgerows, which generally follow the curve of the contours and terraces cut into the side of the valley.
A section of the Wyke Beck runs through the site and is an important refuge for the nationally threatened white clawed crayfish. Small woodland blocks, scrub and a pond add further dimensions to the mosaic of habitats alongside the flower rich meadows which are annually cut for hay.
The diversity of Killingbeck Fields LNR provides habitats for breeding birds but also birds of prey (such as kestrels, buzzards and red kites) which circle over the open fields hunting for prey. You may even spot a kingfisher darting along the beck!
Access
A formal surfaced path runs through Killingbeck Fields from Foundry Lane to York Road. There are also informal paths which cross the fields and meadows. Please note that throughout 2019 there will be some closures to footpaths during the next phase of works of the
.Wyke Beck Valley programme
Click to expand Killingbeck Fields
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Habitat and wildlife
Primrose Valley has a mosaic of habitats including large areas of species rich grassland, and blocks of broad-leaved trees such as oak, beech, silver birch, sycamore and wild cherry, mixed with some coniferous species. There are also areas of scattered scrub and hedgerows. To the east of the site is a pond which has records of frog and smooth newt.
Access
Surfaced footpaths cross the site providing circular walks with informal paths providing lots of options for lengthening your walk. An informal path also climbs up a short hill on the southern side giving great views over Leeds. There are access points at Sutton Approach (off York Road opposite the retail park), Lucy Avenue (off of Selby Road) and Primrose Lane.
Click to expand Primrose Valley
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Habitat and wildlife
Halton moor is the southern most nature reserve in the Wyke Beck Valley. It is made up of species rich grassland, deciduous woodland and scrub. The nature reserve runs along Wyke Beck from the junction of Cartmell drive and Halton Moor Avenue in the north and follows the beck south to the Garforth cycle route (which is also part of Sustrans’ route 66).
Access
The reserve has surfaced paths and cycle ways as well as informal paths crossing the grassland. There are various access points along Cartmell Drive as well as Neville Road, Halton Moor Avenue and along the Garforth cycle route which links up Halton Moor Road.
Click to expand Halton Moor
