Moor Lane, Kirkby-on-Bain, near Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire

Kirkby Moor Nature Reserve

Mixed-habitat reserve

Source image

6.8

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

Check

Cost

Peaceful

Feel

HeathWoodlandLakeWalkersWildlife loversPhotographers

Why it's Wildland

6.8

Kirkby Moor is the largest remnant of the once extensive heathlands of the Woodhall district. Its heath, grassland, woodland, scrub and a former reservoir lake preserve a varied landscape shaped by glacial deposits and nutrient-poor soils.

This is more than a patch of heath: at 75 hectares, Kirkby Moor is the largest surviving remnant of the Woodhall district’s former heathlands. Heather, moss and lichen sit alongside woodland and a reservoir lake, with waymarked routes and bird hides offering a practical way to explore its varied habitats.

Peaceful · Wild

Find your way

Open map

Moor Lane, Kirkby-on-Bain, near Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire

Opening map…

Explore around here Get directions

The experience

Follow one of the two waymarked routes through the reserve’s heathland and mixed habitats, taking time at a bird hide and looking for insects. The reserve is open at all times, but its paths are not suitable for visitors with mobility issues. Allow 1–2 hours as a suggested visit; route distances and durations are not supplied.

Things to do

Follow a waymarked route

Choose one of the two waymarked routes available in the reserve. The source does not give route distances, surfaces or durations; close gates behind you.

Pause at a bird hide

Use one of the reserve’s bird hides to watch wildlife. Specific sightings at the hides are not guaranteed by the supplied reserve information.

Look for insects and flowering heather

Insect spotting and blooming heather are highlighted by the Trust. Exact flowering and insect activity dates are not specified.

Explore the reserve’s changing habitats

Notice the heather and wavy hair-grass, moss and lichen communities, woodland, developing scrub and the low-lying southern area with its former reservoir lake.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · Allow 1–2 hours; route duration is not specified.

A first look at the heath

01
Park carefully on the roadside and walk to the pedestrian gate.
02
Follow one of the reserve’s two waymarked routes, closing gates behind you.
03
Pause at a bird hide and look for insects and the reserve’s varied heathland, woodland and scrub habitats.

Verified history

Kirkby Moor is the largest remnant of the once extensive heathlands of the Woodhall district. The reserve’s sands and gravels were deposited in delta conditions on the edge of the great Fenland Lake during the last Ice Age. Leaching of mineral nutrients subsequently produced podsol soils. The southern part of the reserve contains a lake originally made as a reservoir.

Hidden details

A landscape shaped by an Ice Age lake — The reserve’s sands and gravels were deposited in delta conditions on the edge of the great Fenland Lake during the last Ice Age; nutrient leaching later produced podsol soils.

The southern reservoir lake — The reserve’s low-lying southern part contains a lake that was originally made as a reservoir.

Heathland alongside woodland and scrub — Heather and wavy hair-grass, with moss and lichen communities, dominate a large part of the reserve; oak, birch and pine woodland and developing birch, hawthorn and sallow scrub add further habitat.

When to go

· Not specified by the supplied sources.

The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust gives March to September as the best time to visit. It also highlights insect spotting and blooming heather, without specifying peak dates.

Check conditions before visiting. The supplied reserve information does not describe weather-dependent path conditions.

What to look for

Look for the contrast between heather and wavy hair-grass, moss and lichen communities, woodland and developing scrub. The southern low-lying area contains a lake originally made as a reservoir. The Trust also highlights insect spotting and blooming heather.

The story

Heathland remnant and Ice Age delta deposits

Best time to go

March to September; the Trust identifies this as the best visiting period. Heather is highlighted by the Trust, but its peak flowering dates are not specified.

The Trust recommends March to September. Heather and insect spotting are among the reserve’s listed attractions; exact seasonal peaks are not given.

How long to spend

1–2 hours

Perfect for

Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Photographers

Practical information

Opening & access

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust says the reserve is open at all times. Enter on foot through the pedestrian gate; park carefully on the roadside. Two waymarked routes are available. Not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility issues. No dogs are permitted, except assistance dogs.

Parking

Please park carefully on the roadside. Access the reserve on foot through the pedestrian gate. Nearest postcode LN10 6YY.

Toilets

Check before visiting.

Check before visiting

Food & drink

Check before visiting.

Check before visiting

Dogs

No dogs permitted; assistance dogs only. Close gates behind you.

Accessibility

Not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility issues. Access is on foot through a pedestrian gate.

Cost

Check before visiting

Water

Lake; the southern part of the reserve is low-lying and contains a lake originally made as a reservoir. Swimming or paddling permission is not established.