Dryham Lane, Brough, East Riding of Yorkshire HU15 2LY
North Cave Wetlands
Mixed-habitat reserve
Place photograph
6.8
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
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Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.8A former sand and gravel quarry reshaped into a wetland reserve, where lakes and bird hides make wildlife watching the main event.
North Cave Wetlands has a clear sense of change: a worked quarry has become a landscape of lakes, reedbeds, meadows and wildlife. A short circular route and bird hides make it rewarding without requiring a long walk.
Peaceful · Wild
Find your way
Open mapDryham Lane, Brough, East Riding of Yorkshire HU15 2LY
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The experience
Allow around an hour for the 1.7-mile circular route, or longer if you want to pause at the bird hides and watch the wetlands. Seasonal birdlife is a reason to return at different times of year.
Things to do
Walk the circular route
Take the reported 1.7-mile loop through the reserve; AllTrails describes it as easy, with 19 feet of elevation gain.
0.5–1 hour
Watch from the bird hides
Pause at the hides named on the circular route, including South Hide and East Hide, and watch the reserve’s lakes and wetlands.
Look for seasonal birdlife
The supplied route information highlights spring avocets and common terns, and wintering flocks of wildfowl.
Look for summer dragonflies
The route information identifies summer dragonflies as a seasonal highlight.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 0.5–1 hour
Quick Escape: the wetlands circular
- 01
Start at North Cave Wetlands.
- 02
Follow the 1.7-mile circular route.
- 03
Pause at a bird hide and scan the lakes and wetland for wildlife.
- 04
Return to the start.
Verified history
The reserve occupies a former sand and gravel quarry. A supplied first-person account says the site was quarried from 1990; after quarrying ended, a landfill proposal was opposed locally and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust acquired the site to develop as a wetland reserve, with help from the aggregates company that had operated the quarry.
Hidden details
Look across the former quarry landscape — The reserve’s lakes are part of its transformation from sand and gravel workings into wetland habitat; the supplied account identifies the site’s quarry past.
When to go
· Morning, particularly on a calm, clear day.
The supplied route information names spring avocets and common terns, summer dragonflies and wintering wildfowl. It supports a year-round visit, with different wildlife interests by season.
Check the forecast before setting out; no specific weather or path-condition guidance is supplied.
The route
- ascent
- 19 ft
- distance
- 1.7 miles
- duration
- 0.5–1 hour
- difficulty
- Easy
- route shape
- Loop
- start point
- North Cave Wetlands; confirm the precise route start on arrival.
- parking start
- The reserve has parking; charges were introduced on 17 August 2026 according to Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. Check current arrangements.
- South Hide
- East Hide
- St Helen’s Farm Viewpoint bird hide
- Seasonal birds and wetland wildlife
What to look for
Scan the lakes and reedbeds for birds, and pause at the bird hides. AllTrails names St Helen’s Farm Viewpoint, South Hide and East Hide as route highlights.
The story
Former sand and gravel quarry developed into a nature reserve.
Best time to go
Year-round; spring and summer bring breeding birds and dragonflies, while winter is highlighted for wildfowl.
Choose a calm, clear morning for wildlife watching; winter is noted for wildfowl, while spring and summer bring breeding birds and dragonflies.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Wildlife lovers · Birdwatchers · Walkers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust nature reserve with wetland trails. Check current access information before travelling.
Check before visiting
Parking
Parking is available; Yorkshire Wildlife Trust says parking charges were introduced on 17 August 2026. Members park free. Check current arrangements before visiting.
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Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
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Accessibility
The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible car park and entrance. Check with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust for current path and hide accessibility.
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Cost
Paid parking reported; check current charges.
Check before visiting
Water
Lakes and wetlands; swimming or paddling permission is not established.
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around North Cave Wetlands
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
