Barrie Wilkinson

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust

Barrie Wilkinson

Willoughby Branch Line

Disused railway with areas of scrub and grassland.

Location

Farlesthorpe - Willoughby road

Alford

Nearest postcode LN13 9PG

OS Map Reference

TF 474 736

Know before you go

Size

5 hectares

Parking information

Small parking area available

Grazing animals

Sheep

Walking trails

A linear, public footpath runs the length of the reserve

Access

Uneven mown grass tracks, can be muddy after wet weather; not suitable for wheelchair users

Dogs

No dogs permitted

Assistance dogs only

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

April to July

About the reserve

The reserve is part of the disused branch railway from Willoughby to Mablethorpe. Since the line was taken up in 1971, the track has developed into a fine wildlife area with ashwood, hawthorn scrub and grassland supporting a varied flora, including abundant bird's-foot trefoil and restharrow, hemp-agrimony, spotted-orchid, twayblade, lady's bedstraw, yellow-wort and great burnet.

Butterflies include common blue and several species of skippers and browns. Whitethroat, lesser whitethroat, blackcap, sedge warbler, redpoll and other finch species, and occasionally nightingale, nest in the reserve. Hips and haws attract fieldfares and redwings in winter, and barn owls frequently use the track for hunting.

Nearest postcode LN13 9PG. Please note - postcodes are for the nearest registered address as we are unable to get postcodes for nature reserves.