Wokefield Common Nature Reserve
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Outdoors
BUGGY FRIENDLY
Yes
What it’s like
Free woodland trails and glades to wander, with dragonflies to spot and a flat easy-access route for pushchairs and scooters.
Waymarked trails wind through woodland and open glades here, and the main draw for kids is the dragonfly spotting along the way. There's no set route you have to follow, so a short loop for a toddler on a scooter or a longer wander for older kids who fancy exploring both work fine.
Entry's free and there are two car parks, the main one off Goring Lane and a smaller spot at the end of Bunces Lane, both free too. If you've got a pushchair or a wheelchair, the easy-access route is your best bet: a 0.8km stretch of flat, gently undulating natural path that's fine for robust mobility scooters. Stray off that onto the minor paths though and it gets steep and uneven fast, especially where they cross wet gullies.
That's really the one catch. After rain those minor paths turn soft and puddly, so if you're picturing a clean pair of trainers by the end, stick to the main trails. Dogs are welcome throughout, which makes it an easy one to combine a family walk with letting the dog have a proper explore too.
There's nothing to book and no entry fee, so it suits a spontaneous afternoon more than a planned outing. Bring your own snacks though, as there's nothing on site to buy.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- Two car parks: main car park off Goring Lane west of Hollybush Lane junction, and small parking area at end of Bunces Lane
- Pushchairs
- Pushchair access on the easy-access route (0.8km, flat terrain)
- Wheelchairs
- Easy-access route (1km/0.6 mile waymarked trail) suitable for robust mobility scooters on gently undulating naturally surfaced path
- Dogs
- Permitted
- The easy-access route is the one to pick for pushchairs or scooters, not the minor paths
- Minor paths get steep and muddy after rain, especially near the wet gullies
- No food on site, so bring your own snacks
- Both car parks are free
Plan your visit
Is it free to visit?
Yes, entry's free and so is the parking at both car parks.
Is there anywhere to park?
Two free car parks: the main one off Goring Lane near the Hollybush Lane junction, and a smaller one at the end of Bunces Lane.
Can we take a pushchair or wheelchair?
There's a dedicated easy-access route, 0.8km of flat, well-surfaced path suitable for pushchairs and robust mobility scooters. The other minor paths are steeper and uneven, so they're not the ones to pick with wheels.
What will the kids actually do?
Mostly wander the trails and glades looking for dragonflies. It's an unstructured sort of visit rather than one with set activities.
Are dogs allowed?
Dogs are permitted around the reserve.
Does it get muddy?
The main paths are well-drained, but minor paths crossing the wet gullies get soft and puddly after rain. Worth choosing your footwear with that in mind.
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