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Winskill Stones
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Winskill Stones © Tony Dilger / Plantlife
Location: near Settle, Yorkshire Dales National Park, North Yorkshire
Grid Reference: SD 834 664
Situated in the magnificent landscape of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Winskill Stones is a 74-acre area of limestone grassland and limestone pavement.
Limestone pavement is one of Britain’s most threatened habitats; vast areas have been destroyed since the 1950s to meet the demand for garden rockery stone.
Management of the reserve is overseen by an advisory group which includes representatives from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, the farming community and local residents.
Wildflowers at the reserve
WHAT TO SEE AND WHEN
April: ramsons
May: wood-sorrel, early-purple orchid, cowslip
June: moonwort, pignut, meadow saxifrage, crosswort, mouse-ear hawkweed, common rockrose
July: kidney vetch, common twayblade, limestone bedstraw, wild thyme
August: Carline thistle
Over 160 different vascular plants have been recorded at Winskill Stones. These include noteworthy species such as spring sandwort, horseshoe vetch, meadow saxifrage, mossy saxifrage, mountain everlasting and moonwort.
A number of bird species nest on the reserve including skylark, lapwing and curlew.
Directions
Click here to download a map of the reserve.
From Settle take the B6479, turn right into Langcliffe village and follow the Malham road. Winskill Stones lie about a mile further on, past the second cattle grid. There is a small lay-by for cars. The road between Malham and Langcliffe is unsuitable for coaches or caravans. The nearest train station is Settle, which is 3 miles from the reserve.
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