As an urban park, Middleton is surprisingly well looked after and on Tuesday the wildflower group enjoyed a wonderful woodland walk through acres of native bluebells. It wasn’t our first choice as we were hoping to go to Bretton woods, but the complicated booking system was off-putting.
Bluebells at Middleton Woods
Middleton is the largest ancient woodland site in West Yorkshire – mainly oak, beech, hazel, and willow and birdsong fills the air although we were only able to distinguish great tit and blackcap. A return visit was made today as I wanted to see the lower woods which were even more spectacular than the upper woods. Alongside the small, natural lake in the middle of the park is the visitor centre and cafe; the lake has been tarmacked round for public use but is full of roach, tench and rudd with frogs, newts and toads; a real little oasis. Urban parks have their benefits as the bluebell woods are very accessible for all abilities and best of all it was reasonably quiet.
Mallard ducklings