The Kilnsey nature reserve

The limestone water meadow at Kilnsey Park is designated a nationally important Site of Special Scientific Interest because of its vast array of wild orchids and other wild flowers and grasses.

Orchids you are likely to see are:

Early Marsh; Narrow-leaved Marsh; Common Spotted; Twayblade; Early Purple and Fragrant.

During the spring and summer you will see other hybrid wild orchids, noticeable by their vigour and size.   Other flowers worthy of note are the Tormentil and Milkwort. 

We are also very privileged to have been selected by Natural England as a location for the reintroduction of one of the rarest plants in Britain, the Lady’s -Slipper Orchid. Up until 1930 this flower was thought to be extinct, then a single plant was rediscovered growing in a remote location in Yorkshire. It took decades to discover how to propagate young orchids. Plants were introduced at Kilnsey in 2007 and flowered for the first time in 2009. 

We would like to thank the members of Wharfedale Field Society who visit Kilnsey Park on a very frequent basis during the flowering season and identify the various plants for the benefit of all of our visitors.