When Yorkshire Water plc decommissioned the Rodley Water Treatment Works in 1993 it was with a wish that their land should be developed as a nature reserve. The Aire valley, an important flyway for migrating birds.

It’s different from most wetland reserves as the wetland areas were all dug out from scratch from rough grassland close to the River Aire.

In 2023, Rodley Nature Reserve came top in BBC Wildlife Magazine’s poll to find the favourite wildlife spots in Yorkshire and Humberside. This result meant that the Reserve went into the national final and came fifth overall in the list of brilliant wildlife locations in the UK. Nominations were made by a panel of 60 conservationists, writers, presenters and photographers who produced a shortlist by region which was then put to the public vote.

Rodley Nature Reserve Trust is a registered charity run by a board of trustees.

The Phil & Lit has granted several small sums to the Trust to help them with projects.

There will be a guided tour, led by volunteers, for up to 30 Phil & Lit visitors.

You are welcome to bring a picnic lunch. We will need to leave by 14:30 when the entrance gate will be locked.

Car Parking is available just after crossing the bridge over the River Aire – a 200m walk from the Visitor Centre. Further parking and blue badge parking is available adjacent to the Visitor Centre.