We don’t live near the sea: 61 miles, to be exact. But sometimes, on a hot day, only a wide expanse of water will fit the bill. And that’s what Nosterfield, fewer than four miles away can provide. It was – and still is – a gravel quarry. On any day of the week, you’ll see great yellow trucks lumbering down the road, laden with gravel. Back before the 1980s, this area was a lunar landscape: sand and gravel pits, gargantuan earthmovers,spoilheaps. Some of it still is.
But in the 1990s, a professional landscape architect, Simon Warwick, spotted its potential. He’d noticed how even as an industrial site, the area attracted thousands of migrating ducks and geese each autumn. Parts of the site were no longer economically viable and no longer being worked. Not without considerable difficulty, he established the Lower Ure Conservation Trust, and focused on creating an area of wet grassland, with water attached – sometimes extensive lakes, and at other times drying out into muddy scrapes. Native flora were allowed to regenerate naturally.
Wildfowl are delighted. Wading birds are enchanted. 200 species of bird make use of this service station for birds, halfway between the important migratory staging posts of the Dee Estuary and Teesmouth. Birdspotters and nature lovers generally love this place, and the well-appointed hides that are a feature of the site are rarely out of use.
If, like us, you’re strictly amateur in your knowledge of birds, you might love it too. It’s a tranquil place, except when the birds are having spirited and raucous exchanges, and a perfect place to spend an hour or two at any time of year. But especially on a hot day in summer, with a cooling breeze drifting from the waterside. With wild cherries, apples, plums and blackberries on offer, you’ll even have a snack provided.
From Pyrenees to Pennines 
Sounds and looks like an ideal place to be in this hot weather especially, thanks for taking us there.
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I gather you have got it much MUCH hotter than us. We have settled down to ‘ordinary’ summer temperatures, though humid with it.
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What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. I live a long way from the sea, though only a 40 or so miles from Lake Michigan. Thank you for reminding me that there are treasures everywhere, you just have to look around. Have a wonderful weekend.
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Yes, I know you love a lakeside environment too. Hope you get there again before the end of the hols!
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I’d hate to be away from the sea but this is an acceptable alternative. And so good for the environment. 🙂 🙂
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Yes. Good for the soul too.
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What a remarkable and healing transformation. So nice to have tranquil places close to home.
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Yes, we’re lucky to be able to count it as our ‘back yard’.
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What foresight Warwick had! To turn a site that was probably pretty ugly into such a treasure–very neat.
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Yes – hard to know whether humans or wildlife are the most appreciative. By numbers, wildlife, for sure!
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I love the contrasting colours and textures (grey skies, cracked earth, and green grass) in your pictures. Looks perfect for a quiet getaway. 🙂
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You’re so lucky to have this charming and peaceful place so nearby, Margaret! It is possible to camp there?
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Sadly for you, no. Apart from the pathways through the site, every available inch is given over to wildlife.
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We seemed to have lost quite a bit of wet grassland and its associated wild plants. It is great to see somebody took the time and energy to go against the grain. Nicely captured too.
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It’s a site that continues to expand. My not-very-old OS map no longer accurately describes it at all.
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I would love to see it in the fall with the migrating birds!
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You would indeed. It’s a hive of activity!
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