Messingham Sand Quarry
This pretty nature reserve near Scunthorpe has nice footpaths running around and between a series of lagoons. In the reserve you will find woodland, grassland and marsh. Look out for a wide variety of flora and fauna including orchids, wildflowers, heather and 20 species of butterfly. Wildlife sightings include Teal, wigeon, mallard, pochard, great crested grebes, kingfishers, linnets, chaffinch, bullfinch, great tit, Goldcrest, wren, sparrowhawk, and terns.
The site has a car park and a waymarked circular footpath to follow around the reserve.
If you would like to continue your walking in the area then you could head to the nearby Laughton Woods. It's located a few miles south west near Scotter.
Also nearby is the lovely Twigmoor Woods with its large ponds and lovely colourful rhododendrons.
Postcode
DN17 3RD - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsMessingham Sand Quarry Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Messingham Sand Quarry Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Messingham Sand Quarry OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Messingham Sand Quarry Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
Head east into Scawby and visit The Sutton Arms for some post walk refreshments. The pub is based a couple of miles east of the reserve in the centre of the beautiful village of Scawby, and has a large car park to the rear. They are renowned for their home-made food and do most of the ‘pub classics’ - all from scratch. They specialise in real ales, and recently won the CAMRA pub of the season award. There's also a nice garden area where to relax in during the summer months. You can find the pub on 10 West Street with a postcode of DN209AN for your sat navs.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Our Scunthorpe Walk takes you through the popular Central Park to Brumby Woods nature reserve in the town centre.
The circular Gainsborough Walk can also be picked up nearby. It starts in the town and uses part of the Trent Valley Way and the Chesterfield Canal to explore the area.
The interesting market town of Brigg is not far away. Here you can enjoy a waterside walk along the New River Ancholme to the Humber Bridge on the Humber Estuary near Hull and Barton Upon Humber.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Lincolnshire Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Messingham Sand Quarry Nature Reserve
Lake at Messingham Sand Quarry Nature Reserve
War memorial and New Row, Messingham. A view of the village located just west of the reserve.
A winter view