Off Outgang Lane, Maltby, South Yorkshire S66 7JX

Maltby Low Common Nature Reserve

Mixed-habitat reserve

Place photograph

6.5

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

Free

Cost

Peaceful

Feel

WetlandFarmlandWalkersWildlife loversPhotographers

Why it's Wildland

6.5

On just seven hectares, limestone bank, flat grassland and wetter and drier ground sit close together, creating an unusually varied patchwork of plants and insect life.

Maltby Low Common earns its place through close-up variety rather than dramatic scale: different grassland conditions meet on a compact reserve, and more than 400 insect species have been recorded across the commons. Come in the flowering season and take time to notice how the plants change between the limestone bank and wetter ground.

Peaceful · Secluded

Find your way

Open map

Off Outgang Lane, Maltby, South Yorkshire S66 7JX

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Explore around here Get directions

The experience

Explore the reserve slowly, comparing its different grassland conditions and looking for flowers and insects. For a longer outing, the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust suggests walking on to Maltby Far Common; paths can be wet and muddy.

Things to do

Compare the grassland habitats

Notice the transitions between the steep limestone bank, flat grassland and wetter and drier areas; the reserve is particularly notable for these habitats sitting close together.

Allow time to explore at your own pace

Look for grassland flowers and insects

In later spring and summer, look for the reserve’s grassland flowers and watch for butterflies and other insect life. The source names grass-of-Parnassus and field scabious among limestone grassland species.

Walk to Maltby Far Common

A footpath connects the reserve to adjoining Far Common. The two commons can be explored as a circular walk of around two miles; expect paths that may be wet or muddy.

Around 2 miles for the circular walk

Make a day of it

Quick escape · Under 1 hour

Quick Common wander

01
Enter from the reserve access and explore the paths across the different grassland areas.
02
Pause at the limestone bank, then compare it with the flatter and wetter ground.
03
Return the way you came; no specific short circuit is confirmed by the supplied source.

Half day · Half day

Walk on to Maltby Far Common

01
Explore Maltby Low Common, taking time to notice the changing grassland and flowers.
02
Follow the footpath to adjoining Maltby Far Common.
03
Allow for wet or muddy paths and check current conditions before setting out.

Hidden details

Three grassland conditions close together — The steep limestone bank, flat grassland and wetter and drier patches make this a place to look for contrasts in plant communities, not just a single uniform meadow.

A rich record of butterflies and moths — Yorkshire Wildlife Trust reports well over 400 insect species recorded across the commons, including dark green fritillary, brimstone, orange-tip, small copper, wall, heath, cinnabar and silver Y moth.

When to go

March · April · May · June · July · August · September · No specific time of day is confirmed by the supplied source.

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust recommends March to September; later spring and summer bring the strongest interest in grassland flowers and insects.

Paths are fairly flat but can be wet and muddy. Check conditions before visiting.

The route

surface: Paths are fairly flat but can be wet and muddy
distance: Around 2 miles for a circular walk to Maltby Far Common
route shape: Circular walk linking Maltby Low Common and Maltby Far Common
start point: Maltby Low Common Nature Reserve; access off Outgang Lane
parking start: Small car park on Lansbury Avenue, about 40 metres from the railway bridge on Outgang Lane; alternatively park at Far Common on Stoneywell Lane.
shorter alternative: Explore Maltby Low Common only; the source does not specify a distance or circuit for this option.

Steep limestone bank
Flat grassland and wetter and drier areas
Grassland flowers and insect life

Worth pairing with

Maltby Far Common

Adjoining common reachable by footpath; the two commons can be combined in a circular walk of around two miles.

Roche Abbey

Suggested by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust as a nearby option for a longer day. Check current access and visitor information before travelling.

What to look for

Look for the contrast between the steep limestone bank, flat grassland and wetter ground. The reserve source names grass-of-Parnassus and field scabious among the limestone grassland plants, and records a wide range of butterflies and moths across the commons.

Best time to go

March to September; later spring and summer are particularly rewarding for grassland flowers and insects.

March to September, with later spring and summer especially good for grassland flowers and insects. Check conditions before setting out, as paths can be wet and muddy.

How long to spend

1–2 hours

Perfect for

Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Photographers