Wander through wetland habitats at Old Moor, with sweeping views from the hides, this family-friendly nature reserve is teeming with wildlife. Enjoy idyllic walks, wildlife watching, pond-dipping plus an adventure playground for kids.
In spring, Great Crested Grebes put on a show for mating season, while summer sees the meadow come alive with orchids, wildflowers and butterflies. In autumn, look out for Barn Owls swooping across the reedbeds and meadows. The winter months bring vast flocks of ducks and geese including Wigeons (listen out for their whistling call), and birds of prey which send them scattering into the sky.
Old Moor is a brilliant reserve for little ones, with an adventure playground, wild play areas and The Lookout, a hide especially designed for families. You can hire discovery backpacks and we have family trails and activity sheets. From April to the end of October you can also hire pond dipping kits.
This is a great location to spot Kingfishers
The vibrant azure and copper feathers of the Kingfisher make them one of the UK’s most colourful and instantly recognisable birds. But blink and you’ll miss them – they dart along rivers and streams at high speeds. RSPB nature reserves and our care-taking teams provide safe wetland havens for these special birds and their fishy prey.
We have 106 spaces with 6 Blue Badge spaces in our tarmacked car park. Additionally there is a drop-off point closer to the visitor centre. Please note, there is no lighting in car park. There is a height restriction barrier, please use the intercom for assistance. Overnight parking or camping is not permitted and the car park is locked overnight). Bicycle racks are available.
We have two accessible toilets, one has changing facilities (table and hoist). They are located just next to our visitor centre, accessed via the courtyard.
Changing units are located in the mens and womens toilets on the ground floor, just next to our visitor centre, accessed via the courtyard, and in the cafe.
There are not baby changing facilities within the accessible toilets.
All the paths are flat and have hard surfaces, although there are some inclines with refuge points. Seating and refuge points are available at intervals of approximately every 100 m with and without backs.
We have accessible paper maps of the reserve which show seating and inclines as well as distances and family maps which show play features. You can get copies of these from our Welcome Hub.
All the paths are flat and have hard surfaces, although there are some inclines with refuge points. Seating and refuge points are available at intervals of approximately every 100 m with and without backs.
We have accessible paper maps of the reserve which show seating and inclines as well as distances. You can get a copy from our Welcome Hub.
We have 3 mobility scooters which are available to hire for free. Training provided on the day, please book in advance to avoid disappointment. 01226 751593
Mens, Ladies and accessible toilets are located just next to our visitor centre, accessed via the courtyard with additional Mens and Ladies toilets upstairs in the Cafe.
BBQs are a fire risk, endangering other people and the precious wildlife and habitats here. They are not permitted on the reserve at any time.
Dogs are welcome in the courtyard at Old Moor, but no dogs, except assistance dogs, are permitted on the reserve, or in the Visitor Centre 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 here.
Other exciting dog walking routes are available to enjoy in the local area; try our satellite sites at Adwick Washlands, Gypsy Marsh or Edderthorpe where dogs are welcome on a lead or under close control. Some of these sites are accessible via the Trans-Pennine Trail. A map of satellite sites is available from the Visitor Hub.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all parts of the reserve.
Discover exciting events all year at Dearne Valley - Old Moor. Join us for a dragonfly walk in summer, guided pond dipping in autumn and much more!
We have lots of resources to help you plan and lead a day of learning on our nature reserve.
23rd May 2026 - Little Egret x 4, Shelduck x 2, Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover x 2, Avocet x 2, Med Gull x 4, Common Gull (2nd cy), Caspian Gull (3rd cy), Marsh Harrier x 3
22nd May 2026 - Little Egret x 4, Shelduck, Avocet x 2, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Med Gull x 2, Caspian Gull (3rd cy)
21st May 2026 - Little Egret, Marsh Harrier, Mediterranean Gull, Caspian Gull, 2 x Avocet, 5 x Ringed Plover (wader scrape), 2 x Little Ringed Plover, 4 x Oystercatcher, 2 x Shelduck (main marsh),
We know that Dearne Valley is a special place for many. If you or your loved one have shared happy memories there, you can make a donation to the reserve on our dedication page. It can be in celebration or in memory, and you can post an image along with your message.
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