Breary Marsh Nature Reserve is the best remaining example of a wet valley alder wood in West Yorkshire, a habitat which was once common along the streams and river valleys in the county. Much of nature reserve is also a site of special scientific interest, reflecting its importance for nature conservation.
Breary Marsh is next to the A660 Otley Road and the car park for Golden Acre Park. A network of footpaths and bridleways provides access throughout the site, and the swampy alder wood, which is the rarest of the site's habitats, can be enjoyed from a boardwalk.
The different habitats at Breary Marsh reflect differences in ground level, and range from waterlogged to drier habitats where the ground rises. 'Carr' is the name given to woodland on wet or waterlogged ground, and is often dominated by alder. Beneath the trees, pools of standing water are dotted with large clumps of greater tussock sedge. These tussocks are home to some of the increasingly scarce insects which are to be found at Breary Marsh.
Alder was once valued for the charcoal produced from its wood, which was widely used in the production of gunpowder! More recently, the fertile land on which alder grows has been extensively drained and cleared for farming.
The alder is well-adapted to a watery existence: its seeds even float in water. During the winter, the siskin, a member of the finch family, can be seen among the branches, feeding on the alder seed, of which it is particularly fond. The alder moth, also known as the alder 'dagger', has a striking caterpillar which can be found on alder, oak and other trees and shrubs. Down at ground level, among the large sedge tussocks, grows the lilac-flowered, though scentless, marsh violet.
Where the ground-level rises, the woodland is drier and is dominated by oak, birch, sycamore and beech. Both the beech and sycamore were planted in the early nineteenth century, but birch – a natural coloniser – has established itself in this drier woodland. Because of the drier conditions and different tree species, the range of plants and animals found here is noticeably different to those of the alder carr. Sedge, moss and reed give way to carpets of bluebell, fern and creeping soft grass.
Accessibility
Much of the nature reserve is accessible by scooter (although tree roots can make it a bumpy ride in places!) Scooters are available to hire from Golden Acre Park, but must be booked in advance. To book telephone: 0113 261 3064, giving at least 24 hour notice.
There are accessible toilet facilities at Golden Acre Park, and a cafe. If you would like more information about Golden Acre Park please follow the link to the right.
Nature trail
See the links to the right of this page for a map of the site and downloadable versions of the nature trail leaflet (including a large print version).
Getting there
This site is accessible by public transport – please see the Metro website for directions and routes.
Please note that the Parks and Countryside's Head Office main reception telephone number 0113 3957400 is staffed from 8.00am - 4.30pm Monday to Thursday and 8.00am - 4.00pm on a Friday. Outside of these hours you can leave a message on the answerphone.