Woodside

Highland cattle at Woodside Farm, Gavin Henderson

Highland cattle at Woodside Farm, Gavin Henderson

Woodside Farm Map

Woodside Farm Map

Sculpture trail at Woodside Farm, Gavin Henderson

Sculpture trail at Woodside Farm, Gavin Henderson

Viewing platform at Woodside Farm, Gavin Henderson

Viewing platform at Woodside Farm, Gavin Henderson

Great tit at Woodside Farm, Gavin Henderson

Great tit at Woodside Farm, Gavin Henderson

Bee orchid at Woodside Farm, Jon Preston

Bee orchid at Woodside Farm, Jon Preston

Woodside

PLEASE NOTE: BIRD FLU HAS BEEN DETECTED NEAR THIS RESERVE - DON'T RISK SPREADING IT. PLEASE FOLLOW THIS GUIDANCE. 

The Trust’s farm - on the Nutbrook Trail next to Shipley Country Park is home to many farmland birds, wild flowers including orchids, invertebrates, brown hares and water voles. A great day out to see farming and conservation working hand-in-hand. Do a spot of pond dipping, den building and follow a sculpture trail.

Location

What3Words:// fell.winter.like

Shipley
Ilkeston
Derbyshire
DE75 7JL

OS Map Reference

SK 4495 4398
A static map of Woodside

Know before you go

Size
74 hectares
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Entry fee

No
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Parking information

Park at Derbyshire County Council's Mapperley Reservoir car park (grid ref SK435436) or Shipley Country Park car park (grid ref SK431454). Both are pay and display.
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Bicycle parking

Yes
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Grazing animals

Cattle and sheep.
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Walking trails

BIRD FLU HAS BEEN DETECTED NEAR THIS RESERVE - DON'T RISK SPREADING IT. PLEASE FOLLOW THIS GUIDANCE. 

There are a variety of walking options around the farm and the adjoining country park.

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Access

Path condition varies across the site. Many paths are suitable for wheelchairs, however distance from suitable parking and ground conditions can affect access.

Dogs

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Facilities

Cafe/refreshments
Picnic area
Outdoor play area

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

Summer for meadows bursting with wild flowers and butterflies

About the reserve

This land was purchased by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust early in 2011 and is the largest protected area in the county outside the Peak District National Park.

It is on the site of the former Woodside Colliery, one of the four that operated in this area until the 1960s. It contains a variety of habitats, including woodland, hay meadows and grasslands and a network of small wetlands.

The grasslands are important for invertebrates, including several butterfly species such as common blue, gatekeeper, comma and meadow brown.

Several species of ladybirds, grasshoppers and shieldbugs are also found here, as well as dragonflies and damselflies including the magnificent emperor dragonfly. Among the mammals that have been recorded on the site are brown hares and water voles.

We are still discovering the wildlife of this extensive area of land and are starting to manage the habitats to encourage more birds, invertebrates and other wildlife. Parking at either Shipley Country Park Visitor Centre or Mapperley Reservoir gives access to a network of paths including the Nutbrook Trail, a 10-mile traffic-free path for use by walkers, cyclists and horse riders.  The Nutbrook café is adjacent to the nature reserve and is open on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays.

Off the Nutbrook Trail is our impressive new viewing tower, giving commanding views over the farm and surrounding countryside. Follow the Trail to Lodge Cottage and then look for the concession path near our new mole sculpture! We are managing the extensive areas of grassland through a farming enterprise, which involves the sale of beef reared on the farm.

Our aim is to produce good quality meat products on a farm which demonstrates good conservation practices. The farm now features a new education barn and garden, which is open to everyone. There are willow domes, ponds, a meadow for sweeping and a woodland as well as a covered picnic area. 

Contact us

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust
Contact number: 01773 881188

Volunteer here

Get hands on
Woodside Festival, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust

Woodside Festival, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust 

Woodside Festival 2019

Super early bird tickets on sale

Take a look at the latest sightings

Nearby nature reserves

Download our nature reserve leaflets

Check out the reserve map

Woodside Farm Map

Woodside Farm Map

Play Wild rating

 Play Wild all year round within all permissible areas.

Learn more about Play Wild.

Play Wild green

Play Wild green