Fairburn Ings Walk
This lovely nature reserve in the Aire Valley has some nice footpaths to follow around the substantial site.
The reserve includes a number of pretty lakes and nice riverside paths along the River Aire. You can look out for hundreds of different species of birds from a number of bird hides. Habitats in the reserve include flood meadows, wet fenland, marsh and reed bed, woodland and scrub.
To continue your walking you can pick up the Wakefield Canal in Castleford and enjoy a waterside walk along the towpath.
Postcode
WF10 2BH - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsPlease click here for more information
Fairburn Ings Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Fairburn Ings Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Fairburn Ings OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Fairburn Ings Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
Just north of the reserve there's the little village of Ledston where you could enjoy some refreshments at The White Horse. The historic pub dates to the 15th century and serves great traditional British food. There's a cosy interior with roaring fires, and a pleasant outside seating area with views of the village. You can find them at postcode WF10 2AB for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
The reserve is a nice place to walk the dog but please keep them on leads or under close control because of the wildlife. There's a dog parking area and a dog bowl. The White Horse mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
A couple of miles south west of the reserve you'll find Pontefract Park. There's another nature reserve here with habitats including grassland, a lake, woodland, wetland and small areas of open water. Also nearby is Brockadale Nature Reserve.
Our Castleford Walk also starts from the visitor centre at the reserve. It takes you along the river to Allerton Bywater and RSPB St Aidan's to the north west of the town. The reserve is another great place for bird watching with bittern, marsh harrier and skylark to look out for.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
On the boardwalk. A network of boardwalks, made from recycled plastic, allow visitors right into the marshy area to the west of the main lake at Fairburn Ings RSPB reserve.
Gatekeeper Butterfly
Village Bay hide at Fairburn Ings RSPB nature reserve. Here you can look out for birds such as bittern, willow tit, kingfisher and grey heron.
Top of Fairburn Cut. Cut Showing the remains of the wharf where boats were loaded with limestone from quarries near the village, part of which can be seen on the horizon.
View towards the reserve. Looking from the top of the limestone escarpment over fields of barley towards the water of Fairburn Ings. The houses on the horizon are Ferry Fryston, an estate in the north-east of Castleford.
Newton Ings - on the western side of the site. Southwesterly view from Newton Farm over the flooded ruins of Newton Priory. The chimneys and towers in the distance are the chemical plant in Castleford. The town of Castleford in the far distance.
Newton Priory ruins. Despite its name, it was probably only ever a medieval manor house. This section of wall is all that remains. Note the cormorants.
River Aire and Three Bridges. Despite its common name, it's actually one bridge with three arches carrying the Castleford– York railway line over the River Aire. Note the swings! Fairburn Ings is behind the tree-covered bank in the right background.