Askham Bog Nature Reserve
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
York
What it’s like
A free boardwalk trail through ancient bog woodland where kids can spot birds and hunt for frogs without needing wellies.
A 750m boardwalk loops through the reserve, flat and wide enough for buggies, with benches dotted along the way if someone's legs give out halfway round. It's proper bog woodland, so step off the boards and the ground turns soft and uneven fast, which is part of the appeal for older kids wanting to poke about but a bit of a hazard for anyone under school age.
There's no set list of things to do beyond walking and looking, but that's rather the point. Bird watching is the obvious draw, and the meadows beyond the boardwalk are worth the detour if you've got binoculars and a patient six-year-old. Dexter cattle sometimes graze the site in summer, which is either a lovely surprise or mildly alarming depending on how your kids feel about cows up close.
Entry's free, there's no booking, and the car park at the entrance has room even if it lacks disabled bays. There are no toilets on site though, the nearest ones are a fifteen-minute walk away at Askham Bar, so sort that out before you set off. Wet weather makes the boardwalk slippery, and the site itself suggests June to September as the better months if you want the bog at its best rather than its muddiest.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Good for school-age kids keen on birds and bog wildlife
- Parking
- Car park at entrance. No disabled spaces but spacious
- Pushchairs
- Boardwalk suitable for buggies
- Wheelchairs
- Boardwalk accessible. Sloped track from car park
- Getting there by bus or train
- Askham Bar Park and Ride bus stop adjacent
- The boardwalk gets slippery when wet, so mind your footing after rain
- Dexter cattle sometimes graze the reserve over summer
- Overnight camping isn't allowed
- Askham Bar Park and Ride stop is right next to the reserve if you fancy the bus instead
Plan your visit
Is it free to visit?
Yes, there's no entry charge and nothing to book.
Is the boardwalk buggy friendly?
The 750m circuit is fine for buggies, with a sloped track down from the car park and benches along the way. Step off the boardwalk though and the ground gets soft and boggy fast.
Are there toilets?
Not on site. The nearest accessible toilets are at Askham Bar car park, about a 15 minute walk away.
When's the best time to go?
The site itself points to June through September for the best conditions.
Can we cycle around the reserve?
No cycling on the paths, but you can rack your bike in the car park before you walk in.
Is there parking?
A car park right at the entrance on compacted gravel, though there are no dedicated disabled spaces.
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