Yorkshire Dales nature reserve to be extended

The national nature reserve will increase in size by 179 hectares

A nature reserve is to be expanded to become part of the King's Series of National Nature Reserves.

Ingleborough National Nature Reserve (NNR) in the Yorkshire Dales will increase in size by 179 hectares (442 acres) to 1,186 hectares (2,930 acres).

The upland landscape has habitats which are home to nationally significant wildlife populations including the northern brown argus butterfly, curlew and Yorkshire sandwort.

The extension will allow for improved public access to nature, with visitors to the reserve benefitting from closer access to Ribblehead Station on the Settle to Carlisle railway line.

The King's Series of National Nature Reserves were established to celebrate the coronation of the King in 2023 and Ingleborough will be the 12th.

Areas being added to the NNR include:

• Salt Lake Quarry (Yorkshire Wildlife Trust nature reserve)

• Ashes Pasture (Yorkshire Wildlife Trust nature reserve)

• Bellfield's Pasture (Yorkshire Wildlife Trust nature reserve)

• Selside Shaw (Yorkshire Wildlife Trust nature reserve)

• Ashes Shaw (Yorkshire Wildlife Trust nature reserve)

• Gauber Pasture (Natural England)

• Swarth Moor (Natural England)

The Yorkshire Dales are home to a third of the UK's remaining limestone pavements, famous for being tooth-like structures, and Ingleborough has some of the finest and best-preserved examples.

Although only about 8% of what was originally there remains as between 34,000 and 41,000 tonnes of limestone pavement was removed from Ingleborough until it became protected in the 1990s.

Limestone pavements host a rich variety of plant life including rare holly ferns, lichens and mosses

The reserve is also home to several threatened species and is the only place the Yorkshire sandwort can be found.

It is also just one of four places in the UK where visitors can see Teesdale violets, and one of two places in Yorkshire where purple saxifrage grows.

The site supports nationally important wildlife species including curlew as well as the black grouse and ring ouzel – both on the red list of threatened birds.

Natural England's Tony Juniper said: "The breathtaking beauty and rich natural wonders of the Yorkshire Dales are national treasures.

"Today's extension to the Ingleborough National Nature Reserve brings more of this wonderful place into active nature recovery, in the process helping to safeguard species found nowhere else in the UK."

The area includes the famous Ribblehead Viaduct

A partnership has been formed between Natural England's Ingleborough National Nature Reserve team, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, the University of Leeds, UBoC, the Woodland Trust, and WWF to further the restoration of wildlife habitats around Ingleborough in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Rachael Bice, from Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, said: "We're thrilled the vision and work of our partnership, volunteers, members and supporters has been recognised.

"This area is one of the most exciting and inviting places to enjoy the wilder side of our rich natural heritage."

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