Nearest Town: Burnley Grid Ref: SD 807 325 Lowerhouse Lodges is a diverse site comprising of two lodges (one of which is used for angling by the Burnley & Pendle Anglers). Other habitats include swamp, plantation, wet willow wood, grassland and hay meadow. The eastern boundary of the reserve is marked by Green (or Molly) Brook. This fast flowing stream supplies water to both lodges and passes through areas of neutral grassland and willow scrub. The southern boundary comprises of 3 hectares of hay meadow. A survey by the Wildlife Trust in 2001 identified 66 species including Cuckooflower, Common Knapweed, Meadow Vetchling, Bird's-foot-trefoil and Zig Zag Clover. There are small areas of woodland on the reserve supporting native species such as Alder, Hawthorn, Ash and Silver Birch. The Trust is currently working with Gawthorpe Environmental Movement and Burnley Borough Council to restore water to the upper lodge. Improvements will also be made to footpaths through the reserve. Regular volunteer days are held on the reserve during the week and at weekends. Lowerhouse Lodges forms part of the East Lancashire Local Nature Reserve Project Number of plants recorded: 200 including lady's mantle, knapweed, water plantain, large bittercess, wild teasel, meadowsweet, marsh woundwort, St John's wort, common valerian. Number of birds recorded: 60 including snipe, jack snipe, water rail, little grebe, great crested grebe, goldeneye, coot, linnet, sparrowhawk, willow warbler, kingfisher, grey heron, goldcrest. Also look out for: dragonflies and damselflies, butterflies. For more information contact: John Lamb East Lancashire Conservation Officer tel: 01772 324129
email: jlamb@lancswt.org.uk |
Size: 11 hectares Ownership: leased by Burnley Borough Council Declared a Local Nature Reserve in 2000
How to get there
On Foot: The main entrance is on foot down Knotts Lane off Lowerhouse Lane. Road: From junction 10 on the M65 take the A671 towards Burnley. At the next roundabout turn right onto Accrington Rd. Turn right at the first set of traffic lights onto Liverpool Rd. Go over the M65 then at the right hand bend turn left onto Lowerhouse Lane and continue to the junction with Knotts Lane. There is limited roadside parking. Leeds & Liverpool Canal: 200m north east of canal at Molly Wood Bridge. Lowerhouse Lodges
Lowerhouse Lodges
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