Winskill Stones
Situated in the magnificent landscape of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Winskill Stones is a 74-acre area of limestone grassland and limestone pavement.
Winskill Stones ©Simon Williams/Plantlife
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.
Over 160 different vascular plants have been recorded at Winskill Stones including noteworthy species such as Spring Sandwort, Horseshoe Vetch, Meadow Saxifrage, Mossy Saxifrage, Mountain Everlasting and Moonwort.
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
A number of bird species nest on the reserve including skylark, lapwing and curlew. Management of the reserve is steered by an advisory group which includes representatives from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, the farming community and local residents.
Location: near Settle, Yorkshire Dales National Park, North Yorkshire. Grid Reference: SD 834 664
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links
Map and directions Click below to see the map and directions for the reserve
See how close this reserve is to the National Cycle Network. Click below to see the map
Further details
For further details contact the Plantlife Office or e-mail joe.costley@ plantlife.org.uk