Map reference
OS 1:50,000
Sheet No. 91
Grid reference NY 757 086
Size
4.4 hectares
Status
Local Wildlife Site
Access
The reserve is accessed directly from a public road via a stone stile. There are steps down the embankment onto the track bed. Once on the track the route along the reserve is level (0.8km/0.5 miles from entrance to far end). The two parts of the reserve are connected by a footbridge. On the southern section of the reserve, steps connect the upper and lower tracks.
Directions By car From A685 approximately 4km/2.4 miles north east of Ravenstonedale or 0.75km/0.45 miles south west of Kirkby Stephen West Station take turning signposted Smardale. Take the right hand turn for Waitby, go under the railway bridge and turn right at junction. Waitby Greenriggs Nature Reserve is approximately 0.75km/0.45 miles from this junction. Park on left immediately before bridge. By bicycle The reserve is 1km/0.5 miles from National Route 71 Walney to Wear. By public transport Trains run from Appleby in Westmorland and Dent to Kirkby Stephen West. Buses run from Oxenholme, Sedbergh and Brough to Kirkby Stephen.
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Waitby Greenriggs
What to expect on the nature reserve: habitat, wildlife and more (hover over an icon for more info)
Waitby Greenriggs occupies a short section of the old Stainmore Railway and the Eden Valley branch line where these two lines converge. The cuttings and embankments have developed a very diverse grassland flora with over 200 species of flowering plant recorded. The nature reserve is at its best between May and August.
What to see
Bird's-eye primrose can be seen in May in wetter areas, but from mid to late June is when the majority of orchid species flower including northern marsh, fragrant, common spotted, fly, lesser butterfly and frog orchid. Watiby Greenriggs is the only place in Cumbria where all three sub-species of fragrant orchid grow together. Globeflower, salad burnet, meadow cranesbill and oxeye daisy can also be seen in June. July sees the appearance of the beautiful marsh helleborine and other flowers such as yellow rattle, meadowsweet, harebell and restharrow. Finally, in August, devil's-bit scabious, grass of Parnassus and the diminutive autumn gentian appear. These species all colonised the site following the building of the railway in the 19th century and indicate that the surrounding land was once much richer in wild plants than it is today.
Up to 20 species of butterfly can be seen on the nature reserve over the course of the summer. Rabbits and hares occur on the nature reserve and frogs breed in the old drains alongside the track. Tawny owls have bred and buzzards are frequently seen. The nature reserve is maintained by annual late summer grazing and manual scrub control.
History
The nature reserve was purchased in 1987 from British Rail.
Find us on
Protecting Wildlife for the Future
Registered in England as Cumbria Wildlife Trust Limited,
a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 724133.
Registered Charity No. 218711.
Overview
What to see
