Hob Moor Local Nature Reserve - Parks and open spaces directory

Hob Moor Local Nature Reserve
Hob Moor Drive
Dringhouses and Woodthorpe

Hob Moor Local Nature Reserve is part of the Knavesmire, one of York's ancient commons. The land is unimproved pasture which is traditionally grazed over the summer months by cows. This has ensured that a special floristic habitat thrives and provides valuable breeding habitat for skylark and meadow pipit, both of which are endangered species in the United Kingdom.

Hob Moor Local Nature Reserve has some great archaeological features, including two types of ridge and furrow. The broad medieval type which covers the majority of the central areas, and the narrow Napoleonic ridge and furrow, is evidence of cultivation on site up to recent times.

Across on the Little Hob Moor is the Plague Stone and the Hobstone.

Walks

A walk around the moor makes for a pleasant escape from the bustling city anytime of year! In the late spring early summer the moor transforms into a sea of yellow buttercups, in the winter try visiting early morning before the frost melts away to see the moor under a blanket of white, and the sun rising! A circular walk around the moor should take an experienced walker just over an hour to complete, but give yourself a little longer to take in the scenery and great views of the Minster, and have a read of the interpretation panels telling the story of the moor as you walk!

The path is well trodden all the way around the moor and is easy to follow. Be aware of cattle grazing on the moor from late spring through to the end of summer too, they shouldn't bother you, but if you have a dog with you, it's best to keep it on a lead!

Wildlife

Birds - meadow pipit, skylark (several pairs breed each year), whinchat, wheatear, yellow wagtail (passing through during migration periods), merlin (recorded most years).

Wildflowers/Grasses - buttercup, bulbous buttercup, common sorrel, pignut, common bent, cats ear, harebell, heath bedstraw, tormentil, sheep's sorrel, heath grass, English elm, guelder rose, hazel.

Open access.

There is a surfaced foot/cycle path around edge of site. The other paths are informal.

The site can be accessed from Tadcaster Road past the Hob Moor allotments and also from Holly Bank Grove, Hob Moor Drive, Green Lane, Windsor Garth, Thanet Road and North Lane.

The cycle path can be accessed through a gateway on Thanet Road.