RSPB - giving nature a home
Search
Close
Skip to content
Shop | Community
Log in | Sign up
  • About the RSPB
      About us
    • Our History
    • Our mission
    • How the RSPB is run
    • RSPB Media Centre
    • RSPB job vacancies
    • At home & abroad
    • International
    • England
    • Northern Ireland
    • Scotland
    • Wales
    • Get in touch
    • Contact us
    • RSPB offices
    • Connect with us your way
      Our activities
    • Gardening for wildlife

      Gardening for wildlife

      See our ideas to keep you connected to nature during coronavirus

    • Connect with us your way

      Connect with us your way

      From our regular emails to your favourite social media, there’s more than one way to keep in touch with nature

    • Our History

      Our History

      Discover how a campaign against feathers in fashion sparked a global force to save nature with more than a million members

  • Our work
      Nature conservation
    • Conservation and sustainability
    • Projects
    • Landscape scale conservation
    • Centre for Conservation Science
    • Satellite tracking birds
    • RSPB News
    • RSPB News
    • 'Our work' blog
    • Policy and Insight
    • Policy and Insight: England and Westminster
    • Casework
      Featured news
    • Mindful mornings

      Mindful mornings

      If you can’t get outside, why not bring the outside in by downloading our bird song radio app?

    • How nature can help protect our homes

      How nature can help protect our homes

      Following the floods this winter, watch how one area is using nature as a natural protector.

    • Casework

      Casework

      Catch up with the RSPB’s own nature detectives on the case as they look to save some very special places.

  • Birds & wildlife
      Wildlife guides
    • Identify a bird
    • Bird A-Z
    • Other garden wildlife
    • Guide to birdwatching
    • What is the Red List for UK birds?
    • Nature's Calendar
    • Nature's Home magazine
    • About Nature's Home magazine
    • Birds and wildlife articles
    • RSPB Podcasts
    • Nature's Home blog
    • Birds & Wildlife Advice
    • How you can help birds
    • Gardening for wildlife
    • Ask an expert
    • Wildlife and the law
    • How to report crimes against wild birds
    • Bird songs
    • Which bird song is that?
    • Most popular bird guides this month
    • Bird migration

      Bird migration

      Migrating birds have travelled thousands of miles just to get here. Find out why.

    • Who to contact if you spot an injured or baby bird

      Who to contact if you spot an injured or baby bird

      Read more advice about what to do if you find a bird that needs help

    • In for a duck

      In for a duck

      It’s nesting season for our waterfowl too but what are the rules you need to follow for ducks, geese or swans?

  • Get Involved
      Activities
    • Big Garden Birdwatch
    • Nature on Your Doorstep
    • RSPB Competitions
    • Dolphinwatch
    • #MyClimateAction
    • Community & advice
    • Join our local groups
    • How green are you?
    • RSPB Community
    • Get involved blog
    • Volunteering & fundraising
    • Volunteer
    • Fundraise
    • Help nature thrive as a corporate partner
    • Our grant funders
    • Campaigning
    • Campaigning in Scotland
    • Campaigning in Wales
    • Campaigning in England
    • Campaigning in Northern Ireland
    • The nature and climate emergency
    • Protecting wildlife sites
    • Campaign with us
    • Top activities to do
    • Nature on Your Doorstep

      Nature on Your Doorstep

      Great ideas on how your garden, or even a small backyard or balcony, can become a mini nature reserve

    • How green are you?

      How green are you?

      See some of the ways you can get into green living.

    • Campaigning

      Campaigning

  • Reserves & events
      Reserves A-Z Events Find a reserve
      Top reserves this month
    • Marshside

      Marshside

      This fantastic wetland site is located north of Southport town centre and has some of the best wildlife in the region.

    • Lytchett Fields

      Lytchett Fields

      The reserve has seen more than thirty species of wading birds.

    • Arne

      Arne

      Heathland home to more than 2565 species.

  • Fun & Learning
      For teachers
    • Supporting resources
    • Wild Challenge
    • School outreach visits
    • Big Schools Birdwatch
    • Sign up for the newsletter
    • School trip ideas
    • For kids
    • Fun factoids for all the family
    • Games and activities
    • Kids stories
    • RSPB kids competitions
    • For families
    • Big Wild Sleepout
    • Wild Challenge
    • Nature reserves for families
    • Robin Robin
    • Cameron's Cottage
    • Your Support
    • About Cameron's cottage
    • Latest kids' activities
    • Wild Challenge

      Wild Challenge

      Nature is an adventure waiting to be had. Get out, get busy and get wild!

    • Fun factoids for all the family

      Fun factoids for all the family

      Find out more about the nature and wildlife outside your window.

    • Youth membership

      Youth membership

      As well as a free gift and magazines, you’ll get loads of ideas for activities to try at home.

  • Join & Donate
      Join us
    • Choose a membership
    • Family membership
    • Youth membership
    • Gift membership
    • Make a future richer in nature. Become a Life Fellow today.
    • Renew your membership
    • Donate
    • Philanthropy & Major Gifts
    • Our appeals
    • Make a one-off donation
    • Make a regular donation
    • In Memory Donations
    • Plant a celebration tree
    • In memoriam booklet download form
    • Leave a gift to nature in your Will
    • Why Include a Gift to Nature in Your Will
    • How to Include us in Your Will
    • Information for executors & solicitors
    • Download your free guide
    • Other ways to help
    • Gift Aid
    • Support us when you shop
    • RSPB Images
    • RSPB second-hand binocular scheme
    • Win with the RSPB
    • Payroll Giving
    • Stamp out albatross deaths
  • Login to your account Sign up for an RSPB account
  • Shop
  • Community
  • Home
  • Reserves & events
  • Reserves A-Z
  • Leighton Moss

Leighton Moss

gallery image
gallery image
gallery image
gallery image
gallery image
gallery image
gallery image
gallery image
gallery image
gallery image
gallery image
gallery image
Address
RSPB Leighton Moss, Myers Farm, Storrs Lane, Silverdale, Carnforth LA5 0SW
Grid ref
SD478750
What3Words
trespass.orange.crumble

Leighton Moss boasts the largest reed bed in north-west England and is home to a wide range of spectacular wildlife including otters, bearded tits, marsh harriers, egrets and red deer. See for yourself! 

Plan your visit

Opening times

  • Nature reserve: open daily, dawn-dusk.
  • Main car park: open daily, dawn-dusk.
  • Accessible car park: open daily, dawn-dusk.
  • Allen and Eric Morecambe car park: open daily, dawn-dusk.
  • Visitor Centre: open daily
    9.30am-5pm, 1 February-30 November.
    9.30am-4.30pm, 1 December- 31 January.
  • Shop: open daily
    9.30am-5pm, 1 February-30 November.
    9.30am-4.30pm, 1 December- 31 January.
  • Café: open daily
    9.30am-5pm, 1 February-30 November.
    9.30am-4.30pm, 1 December- 31 January.
  • Toilets: open daily
    9.30am-5pm, 1 February-30 November.
    9.30am-4.30pm, 1 December- 31 January.

Festive opening times

  • Christmas Eve: nature reserve and car parks open, dawn-dusk. Visitor centre, shop, café and toilets open, 9.30am-3pm.
  • Christmas Day: nature reserve, visitor centre, shop, café and toilets closed.
  • Boxing Day: nature reserve and car parks open, dawn-dusk. Visitor centre, shop, café and toilets open, 9.30am-4.30pm.
  • New Year’s Eve: nature reserve and car parks open, dawn-dusk. Visitor centre, shop, café and toilets open, 9.30am-3pm.
  • New Year’s Day: nature reserve and car parks open dawn-dusk. Visitor centre, shop, café and toilets open, 9.30am-4.30pm.
  • All other days in the festive period are open our usual winter opening hours as above.

Entrance charges

Free entrance to RSPB members
Yes
Adults
£9
Children
£4.50 (5-17 years)
Free entrance for first child
Free entrance for under 5s
Student
£6
Free entrance for carers
Yes
Other discounts
  • Half price entry for non-members arriving by public transport or bicycle.
  • Everyone can enter the cafe and visitor centre for free.

Facilities

  • Visitor centre
  • Car park
  • Toilets
  • Accessible toilets
  • Baby changing
  • Pushchair friendly
  • Café
  • Picnic area
  • Binocular hire
  • Guided walks
  • Viewing point
  • Nature trails
  • Shop
  • Educational facilities

Accessibility

  • Download full accessibility statement (PDF)

How to get here

By train

Silverdale station is on the Manchester Airport/Preston to Barrow line and is only 250 metres from the reserve. Turn left out of the station entrance, then left again and then right.

By bike

National Cycle Route 6, Regional route 90 (Lancashire Cycleway).

By road

Leighton Moss is near the village of Silverdale, just 3km (2 miles) from Carnforth and is signposted from the A6 north of M6 junction 35.

Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.

Get directions from Google Maps
View on What3Words
RSPB reserves on Google Earth

Information for dog owners

Dogs are welcome on the Causeway (the public right of way through the middle of Leighton Moss) and the designated dog-friendly path.

The dog-friendly path leads from the visitor centre before emerging onto a road. After a short walk along the road you may join the Causeway, a public bridleway through the middle of the site where dogs are permitted. Well behaved pets are also welcome in the Causeway Hide halfway along the Causeway.

Please keep dogs to these designated routes and rights of way only. When using them, please keep your dog on a lead and under close, effective control at all times.

  • Dog water bowls and shaded tie-up area are available at the back of the visitor centre.
  • Dogs are permitted in the shop and may be brought through the visitor centre to access the dog-friendly trail.
  • Sorry, dogs aren’t permitted in the café other than assistance dogs.
  • There are no dog waste bins on the nature reserve, we ask that you please take dog waste home with you to dispose of.
  • Our team in the visitor centre will be happy to give you further details and directions upon arrival.


Other than the Causeway and dog-friendly route, sorry, dogs are not permitted anywhere else on the nature reserve (except assistance dogs), due to the sensitive wildlife and habitats here.

We know that the countryside is a dog walking paradise. It’s important to remember the special surroundings here are wonderful havens for rare wildlife. Even if dogs are very well behaved, wildlife can easily become startled by a dog they perceive as a predator.

Disturbing wildlife does more than simply causing it to move away; it uses up their energy, decreasing their chance of survival regardless of season. Thank you for protecting the special wildlife by not exercising your dog on the nature reserve.

  • Other exciting dog walking routes are available to enjoy in the local area, see the Arnisde and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty map.
  • Dogs die in hot cars, please do not leave your dog in the car when visiting us.

Group booking information

Bringing a flock? We welcome group bookings.

Please notify us of your visit in advance. Whether it is to discuss coach or minibus parking arrangements, pre-book tables in our café, arrange a tailored introductory talk or organise a bespoke guided walk for your group, we can ensure that your needs are attended to.

If you are a nature tour leader, we would love to work with you to make the most of your trip for your guests.

For all group visits, please contact us on 01524 701601 or email leighton.moss@rspb.org.uk so we can arrange your visit to your specific requirements.

Schools booking information

For full details on our exciting programme of curriculum-linked outdoor education sessions, visit our school trips information.

Come along to our stunning reserve and bring your classroom learning to life with a selection of fascinating wildlife experiences. Our National Curriculum linked learning sessions are led by qualified, enthusiastic leaders and are designed to support a range of classroom topics to suit all abilities. The reserve has a variety of awe-inspiring habitats including woodland, reedbed, streams ponds as well as a large classroom (The Holt) and award-winning visitor facilities. 

  • We have a number of programmes to choose from for a half or full day visit from Early Years, to Primary and Secondary school and A-Level.
  • We also welcome bookings from uniformed and youth groups and can tailor your visit to suit your needs.
  • To book your visit or to find out more, contact schoolbookings@rspb.org.uk.

Also, check out our fantastic range of resources for teachers, or take on the Schools’ Wild Challenge.

Downloads

Helping you find your way around. PDF, 677Kb

Leighton Moss map

Café menu

Contact Leighton Moss

  • RSPB Leighton Moss, Myers Farm, Storrs Lane, Silverdale, Carnforth LA5 0SW
  • leighton.moss@rspb.org.uk
  • 01524 701601
  • @RSPBLeightonM
  • Find us on facebook

What will you see?

Our star species

    Wading Avocet Illustration

    Avocet

    Avocets can be seen from the hides overlooking the Allen and Eric Morecambe Pools in spring and summer.

    Bearded tit male

    Bearded tit

    A year-round attraction here in the extensive reedbeds. They form flocks in autumn.

    Bittern illustration

    Bittern

    Bitterns may be present all year round but they are easier to see in the winter. On frosty days they can often be seen sitting at the edge of the pools or walking across the ice.

    Marsh Harrier male in flight

    Marsh harrier

    Marsh harriers may be seen all-year round and in spring they can be seen skydancing over the reedbeds.

    Water rail

    Water rail

    Watch out for Water rail venturing onto exposed mud when the water drops in late summer and autumn or onto ice in winter.

Recent sightings

Avocet Walking on mud at Havergate Island RSPB reserve

Find out about recent wildlife sightings at Leighton Moss.

read more

Nature spectacles

There are amazing sights to see and hear all year round at Leighton Moss. Spring sees the return of breeding marsh harriers when the birds engage in stunning aerial sky dances and the reedbeds come alive with the sound of singing warblers.

Dazzling wetland flowers and dazzling dragonflies add a splash of colour to the reserve in summer and otters fish for eels in the deeper meres. Autumn can bring huge numbers of waders to the area and visitors can catch glimpses of rutting red deer on calm evenings. Most winters vast starling murmurations may be seen swirling above the vast reedbeds as thousands of birds flock together before going to roost. Meanwhile large numbers of little egrets will gather in the trees at dusk, looking like festive decorations in the fading light. 

Seasonal highlights

  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter

In spring watch marsh harriers skydancing high above the reedbeds. Birdsong fills the air as resident birds and newly arrived migrants such as sedge and reed warblers claim their breeding territory.

On the Allen and Eric Morecambe pools, large flocks of black-tailed godwits stop off on their way to Iceland and the first avocets return to nest.

Summer sees the spectacular sight of marsh harriers engaging in aerobatic food-passes while red deer can be seen grazing by the Tim Jackson and Grisedale meres in the evenings. A succession of marsh flowers such as flag iris and woody nightshade bloom along the reserve tracks as dazzling dragonflies and damselflies shimmer in the sunlight.

Parties of bearded tits gather in family parties to gather grit from the trays along the causeway in the autumn months and huge flocks of starlings may be seen wheeling above the reedbed before going to roost.

Wildfowl and waders arrive from their northern breeding grounds to spend the winter on the reserve and otters, bitterns and water rails can be seen out on the ice during cold spells. Flocks of wigeons and greylag geese graze the saltmarsh at the Allen and Eric Morecambe pools, and are regularly disturbed by hunting peregrines and merlins.

About Leighton Moss

Habitat

Leighton Moss’ diverse habitats include reeds, woodland and limestone grassland. It also incorporates extensive areas of mudflats, coastal marsh and saltwater lagoons along the shores of nearby Morecambe Bay. 

  • Extensive reed-fringed wetlands providing a home for nationally and regionally important breeding populations of bearded tits, marsh harriers, reed warblers and bitterns.
  • Mixed woodland with nesting marsh tits, nuthatches, bullfinches and tawny owls as well as roving long-tailed tits, treecreepers and woodpeckers.
  • Wildlife ponds supporting dragonflies and damselflies, as well as newts, toads, frogs and fish such as pike, eel and perch. 
  • Coastal saltmarsh lagoons attracting large numbers of wading birds including avocet, oystercatcher, curlew, redshank and dunlin.

Conservation

Our reedbed is the largest in northwest England and is home to important breeding birds such as bearded tits, marsh harriers and water rails. Other wildlife includes otters, bitterns and wintering wildfowl. 

Our work includes extensive reed cutting in summer and winter, while managing the water levels all year round. In recent years we have also restored a further 200 hectares of reedbed. The mudflats and saltmarsh around Morecambe Bay support important wintering populations of oystercatcher and knot, as well as breeding redshanks and wintering wildfowl. 

We are grazing the inner marsh with cattle in order to maintain suitable conditions for these birds at all times of year. The limestone grassland and woodland supports a large variety of nationally important plants and invertebrates,  including the rare high brown and pearl-bordered fritillary butterflies. We are managing the woodland with rotational coppicing and grazing the grassland with cattle.

Partners

Supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund. Warton Crag Restoration Project supported by Lancashire Environmental Fund, Arnside & Silverdale AONB Grants Fund, and the Morecambe Bay Partnership.

Heritage Lottery Fund

Site information

Leighton Moss sits within the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 

It is designated as a Ramsar site as well as SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and SPA (Special Protection Area). The coastal areas are also designated SAC (Special Areas of Conservation).

Latest blog posts

  • Bitterns, ospreys and otters, oh my!

    It's been a wonderful couple of weeks for those visiting the reserve in the hope of seeing bitterns! Now that their eggs will have hatched, the females are making regular feeding fights - leaving the nests to go and stock up on fish with which to fee...

    Posted 21/05/2022 by Jon C
  • Swifts, Spoonbills & Other Signs Of Spring

    Despite the drizzle of recent days, it's been a bumper fortnight of sightings at Leighton Moss. The dense cloud cover has meant that large numbers of hirundines are feeding lower in the skies; sand martins and swallows are regularly skimming the surf...

    Posted 06/05/2022 by Leighton
  • Ring-necked duck & other recent sightings

    The reedbed is bubbling with life at Leighton Moss; the arrival of sedge and reed warbler are filling the reserve with their chattering singing. These two warblers can be a little tricky to distinguish, but the reed warbler is more reliably rhythmic ...

    Posted 20/04/2022 by Leighton
  • Nature To Your Home & Spring Sightings

    After teasing us with a taste of spring last month, the chillier climes of the past week have seemingly stunted migration slightly. However, there is still plenty to see on the reserve! Chiffchaff and blackcap, the earliest of the warbler arrivals, a...

    Posted 12/04/2022 by Leighton
read our blog

Latest forum posts

  • Blog from Leighton Moss in 2014 about the visiting arrangements before the 1980’s

    This might interest new member members of the RSPB and how visiting Leighton Noss before the 1980’s was only by permit and only open 4 days a week and not open during the winter period, unlike now with RSPB reserves open 7 days a week all year round ...

    Posted 28/04/2022 by THOMO
  • Geese around Gressingham

    We have struggled to identify the large flocks of geese on the stubble fields in the village throughout the summer. I thought they were greylags but all the bird guides tell me that they are only winter visitors. Can anyone enlighten me?

    Posted 28/09/2021 by Magic Mike
  • Osprey nest gone up at Leighton Moss

    twitter.com/.../1420682111888023554

    Posted 29/07/2021 by Alan
  • Otters at Leighton moss

    Hi there I'm Jamie from Blackburn Lancashire and I have been visiting leighton moss since being a teenager and going camping in the area.. I have been lucky enough to see the otters at different times when visiting but I was wondering how long they h...

    Posted 02/06/2021 by Jamie jambo
read our forum

What people are saying about Leighton Moss

An absolutely brilliant trip. 14 scouts and 5 leaders all had a very interesting, educational and fun day out. Thank you for a very well prepared and interesting presentation. We will be back for more.

Lisa Clifford

It may have only been a brief visit to the reserve and the saltmarshes but every second was worthwhile. Leighton Moss is FANTASTIC - I can't wait to come back in May!!! I had three new species from the site alone, so if you haven't been yet - WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?????

Scott Petrek

I went to Leighton Moss as part of a school trip to Arnside and it was absolutely fascinating. I have already been recommending it to people. Big thanks to Angela and all the other staff at Leighton Moss.

Alex Caraher

Activities and events

Activities for children and families

For full information on events and to book tickets, please visit events.rspb.org.uk/leightonmoss

Ever wanted to explore the great outdoors with your family? At Leighton Moss we offer a unique chance to get immersed in a wild place and learn about nature. There are lots of activities and events on throughout the year to inspire nature loving families.

We have Wildlife Explorer backpacks and binoculars to hire as well as pond-dipping kits in spring and summer. Families can visit The Holt where you will find interactive display panels and activities for children of all ages. Explore themed, seasonal Wild Challenge quiz trails to discover more about the wildlife of Leighton Moss.

High chairs and children’s books are provided in the café.

Share this

  • Facebook Facebook Created with Sketch.
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest

You might also be interested in

Panoramic view of wetland, RSPB Leighton Moss reserve

Morecambe Bay

The countryside surrounding Morecambe Bay is peppered with exceptional sites and amazing habitats for wildlife.
RSPB Giving Nature a Home Campaign

Hest Bank at Morecambe Bay

Panoramic view of wetland, RSPB Leighton Moss reserve

Schools at Leighton Moss

Leighton Moss is a special place to explore with your pupils, with a range of unique habitats

We spend 90% of net income on conservation, public education and advocacy

Quick links

  • Contact us
  • Online Community
  • Vacancies
  • Media centre

Information for

  • Teachers
  • Policy makers
  • Farmers & landowners
  • Scientists

Our work in

  • England
  • Scotland
  • Wales
  • Northern Ireland
  • International

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram

Partnering with

BirdLife_logo

The RSPB is a member of BirdLife International. Find out more about the partnership

Fundraising Regulator logo OSCR logo

© The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654

  • Terms & conditions
  • Cookie policy
  • Privacy policy
  • Charter and statutes
  • About our site
  • Modern Slavery Act

Cookie Preferences

Accepting all non-essential cookies helps us to personalise your experience

Edit settings
Accept all

Essential cookies are required

These cookies are required for basic web functions

Enable analytics cookies

Allow us to collect anonymised performance data

Enable marketing cookies

Allow us to personalise your experience

Save settings
Read our cookie policy