From its source at Waterloo Lake in Roundhay Park, Wyke Beck runs through the Gipton, Seacroft, Killingbeck and Halton boroughs of east Leeds, emerging into the River Aire opposite Rothwell Country Park.
Throughout this urban setting in east Leeds, grasslands are interspersed with woodland, scrub and hedgerows, providing a valuable habitat corridor for many birds and mammals. The freshwater of the beck also provides a home for the white clawed crayfish (the UK’s only native species of crayfish).
Along the Wyke Beck Valley are five local nature reserves (LNRs):
Habitat and wildlife
Wykebeck Woods is an area of ancient semi-natural, broad-leaved wet woodland south of Roundhay Park. The meadow on the hillside provides a varied display of wildflowers through the summer with the woodlands below having a breeding bird assemblage including song thrush and tree creeper.
There is historical and archaeological interest with the remains of a formal designed garden (part of the grounds of the now demolished Asket Hill House) which includes tree species such as Lombardy poplar. There are also the remains of a collapsed stone footbridge, stone weir and a large stone bridge and carriage drive.
Access
A surfaced footpath runs through the reserve with entrances on Wetherby Road and Easterly Road.
Habitat
Arthur’s Rein is an area of semi-improved grassland with areas of less intensively mown, species-rich grassland providing a varied wildflower display in the summer. It lies adjacent to the Wyke Beck, south of Easterly Road (A58) and north of Foundry Lane. There are scattered trees and small areas of planted broad-leaved woodland a mixture of broad-leaved trees, including alder, common oak, sycamore and willow.
Access
A surfaced footpath runs the length of Arthur’s Rein from Easterly Road to Foundry Lane. The
Wyke Beck Cycle Way runs parallel with the footpath on the eastern side of Wyke Beck.
Habitat and wildlife
Killingbeck Fields (running parallel with Wykebeck Valley Road from Foundry Lane to York Road) is an area of species rich neutral grassland divided up by a complex of old hedgerows, which generally follow the curve of the contours and terraces cut into the side of the valley.
A section of the Wyke Beck runs through the site and is an important refuge for the nationally threatened white clawed crayfish. Small woodland blocks, scrub and a pond add further dimensions to the mosaic of habitats alongside the flower rich meadows which are annually cut for hay.
The diversity of Killingbeck Fields LNR provides habitats for breeding birds but also birds of prey (such as kestrels, buzzards and red kites) which circle over the open fields hunting for prey. You may even spot a kingfisher darting along the beck!
Access
A formal surfaced path runs through Killingbeck Fields from Foundry Lane to York Road. There are also informal paths which cross the fields and meadows. Please note that throughout 2019 there will be some closures to footpaths during the next phase of works of the
Wyke Beck Valley programme.
Habitat and wildlife
Primrose Valley has a mosaic of habitats including large areas of species rich grassland, and blocks of broad-leaved trees such as oak, beech, silver birch, sycamore and wild cherry, mixed with some coniferous species. There are also areas of scattered scrub and hedgerows. To the east of the site is a pond which has records of frog and smooth newt.
Access
Surfaced footpaths cross the site providing circular walks with informal paths providing lots of options for lengthening your walk. An informal path also climbs up a short hill on the southern side giving great views over Leeds. There are access points at Sutton Approach (off York Road opposite the retail park), Lucy Avenue (off of Selby Road) and Primrose Lane.
Habitat and wildlife
Halton moor is the southern most nature reserve in the Wyke Beck Valley. It is made up of species rich grassland, deciduous woodland and scrub. The nature reserve runs along Wyke Beck from the junction of Cartmell drive and Halton Moor Avenue in the north and follows the beck south to the Garforth cycle route (which is also part of Sustrans’ route 66).
Access
The reserve has surfaced paths and cycle ways as well as informal paths crossing the grassland. There are various access points along Cartmell Drive as well as Neville Road, Halton Moor Avenue and along the Garforth cycle route which links up Halton Moor Road.
Wyke Beck Way
The Wyke Beck Way is part of the Leeds Core Cycle Network providing a 6 mile long route from Temple Newsam to Roundhay Park. This signposted route follows quiet roads, cycle tracks and parkland paths giving an easy and direct cycling alternative through the Wyke Beck Valley.
View details of the cycle path and map on Sustrans.
Wyke Beck Valley Programme
The Wyke Beck Valley programme started in 2018 and aims to provide enhanced flood risk management in east Leeds and at the same time provide enriched green spaces for the communities along the valley.
Three nature reserves are so far included in this programme, which will not only provide enhanced, naturalised flood risk management and increase the range of pollinator habitats and biodiversity throughout the Wyke Beck Valley, but also improve access for all to these fantastic green spaces in east Leeds.
Work at Arthur’s Rein
In 2018, work was carried out at Arthur’s Rein to improve the capacity of a previously underground storm drain and create two scrapes. The drain was transformed into an open channel, which will allow more water to be stored in a flood event. This channel and the scrapes were also planted with native aquatic and marginal plants to provide important nectar and seed sources for insects and birds and increase biodiversity.
Work at Killingbeck Fields
Work is underway on Killingbeck Fields to provide enhanced flood management through the construction of a flood defence wall with a naturalised flood attenuation pond and associated embankment. This will allow for the nature reserve to be flooded in a controlled manner, during an extreme flood event, reducing the risk of flooding to properties downstream.
As part of the scheme here, Killingbeck Fields LNR will be enhanced with a range of habitats increasing habitats and biodiversity across the reserve. A series of seasonal wetlands, ponds and reed beds will be created and native woodland and wildflower planting will be undertaken once construction is complete. Pedestrian access to the site will be improved with the construction of a network of surfaced paths.
Work at Halton Moor
Halton Moor is the third nature reserve to benefit from works being carried out as part of the Wyke Beck valley programme. During 2019, footpaths will be resurfaced, new benches will be installed, areas of grassland will have wildflower seeds sown to create fantastic pollinator habitats and trees will be planted across the site.
Funding and partnerships
The Wyke Beck Programme has received £2.55 million funding from West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) and Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) through the Leeds City Region Growth Deal – a £1 billion package of Government investment to accelerate growth and create jobs across Leeds City Region.
In addition Leeds City Council are working with a range of partners on the Wyke Beck Valley programme: WSP, Colas, Jacksons, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Groundwork and the Environment Agency.
Latest news
Keep up to date with work at Wyke Beck Valley by following these Twitter accounts:
