A Winter Walk around Brockholes Nature Reserve

A couple of weeks ago we visited Brockholes, a local nature reserve, on a frosty afternoon.

Our walk started from the Floating Visitors’ Centre.  Yes Floating !

400 tonnes of wood and concrete float on a pontoon in the middle of the lake.

The design and construction are fascinating to read about and information can be found here as I can’t begin to describe or explain how it all works.

There should be a sense of mysterious discovery through the reeds that inspires people to come and explore,” says Adam Khan, as we walk along a curving path that cleverly frames glimpses of the rooftops between landscaped beams. “We wanted the building to sit like a creature with its nose poking out of the foliagearchitect Adam Khan

 

Visitors Centre Brockholes LWT Preston Floating

Visitors Centre Brockholes ©HelenBushe

 

One of the trails follows part of the Ribble Way:

Ribble Way Signpost Brockholes Nature Reserve

Ribble Way Signpost ©HelenBushe

 

This part of the trail can also accommodate cyclists:

The Trail

The Trail ©HelenBushe

 

The cycle trail veers off uphill before Boilton Woods, keeping the woods tranquil for both walkers and wildlife:

Bolton Woods Brockholes nature reserve

Boilton Woods ©HelenBushe

 

Out of the woods we walked on the boardwalks through the reedbeds:

Frost on the Boardwalk Brockholes Nature Reserve

Frost on the Boardwalk©HelenBushe

 

We saw lots of  waterfowl, woodland birds, a couple of  birds of prey , a vole and a few grey squirrels.

After a couple of hours walking and talking it was back to the restaurant in the Visitors’ Centre for cake and coffee which we enjoyed whilst watching the ducks swim right up to the full-length windows.

Details about Lancashire Wildlife’s Trust’s nature reserve at Brockholes can be found here.

To see how bloggers from around the world have interpreted Cee’s Which Way Challenge this week,  click on this link:

 


20 Comments

Ali Grimshaw · 15 February 2017 at 16:36

Very inviting photos. Thanks for sharing.

    HMB · 15 February 2017 at 17:44

    Thanks Ali. We’re lucky to have this nearby.

micketalbot · 11 February 2017 at 20:51

Congratulations on having your post featured by Cee on Cee’s Foto Fun Challenge, well done,
Mick

    HMB · 11 February 2017 at 22:12

    Thank you. Glad you like it.

Rupali · 8 February 2017 at 18:47

Beautiful collection.

    HMB · 8 February 2017 at 18:54

    Thank you

klara · 8 February 2017 at 18:29

beautiful day for a beautiful walk in a beautiful nature. nice photos.

    HMB · 8 February 2017 at 18:32

    Thanks Klara.

Cee Neuner · 8 February 2017 at 16:39

Congratulations! I have selected your post to be featured on Cee’s Which Way Photo Challenge.
http://wp.me/p3ZTqs-5Ld
I sure hope you are having a terrific week.

    HMB · 8 February 2017 at 18:14

    Aw….thanks Cee. I do particularly enjoy Which Way?

Cee Neuner · 3 February 2017 at 15:57

Your photos are splendid for this week’s which way. Thanks Helen for playing along this week. 😀

    HMB · 3 February 2017 at 17:25

    Thanks Cee. We go walking a lot, so this is a great challenge for me to post on.

Laurie Graves · 3 February 2017 at 14:03

What a beautiful, beautiful place! It works with the landscape rather than against it.

    HMB · 3 February 2017 at 14:14

    Thanks Laurie. It is an amazing place and I so appreciate you thinking so too. We go there a lot as it’s only a 20 minute drive.

      Laurie Graves · 3 February 2017 at 14:46

      I would, too, if lived within twenty minutes of such a beautiful place.

Leah · 3 February 2017 at 01:49

You’ve introduced us to yet another stunning place! Your pictures inspire me to wrap up in my warm clothes and head out for a lovely UK walk. I will be looking for your personal list of favourite walks before I return. You sure capture the beauty of your environment.

    HMB · 3 February 2017 at 14:15

    Hi Leah! Wait till weather improves a bit! And then all the trails are here for you. Thanks for commenting. Much appreciated.

Pat B · 2 February 2017 at 21:29

I love going to nature reserves. These are great photos for this challenge. Thank you for sharing this part of the world here.

    HMB · 2 February 2017 at 22:00

    Thanks Pat. I’m so glad you like it.

I'm always pleased to read comments.....

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