Heslington East, University of York

The new University of York campus at Heslington East has a large lake and extensive areas of grassland managed as a nature reserve, all of which have been rapidly colonised by wildlife. These evening walks, led by Sir John Lawton (President of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and Vice-President of RSPB) will explore the birds, bugs and botany of the site, and return through the slowly maturing college and departmental buildings.

The walk starts from the car park of Heslington Church (by kind permission of the church) and is about 3km (2 miles) round trip. Wear trainers or stout shoes, and bring binoculars if you have them.

Heslington Church car park is in front of the church on Field Lane (opposite Lord Deramore’s School) and will be open from about 17.45; the walk will start promptly at 18.15. The number 66 bus runs to Heslington Hall from the York railway station via Merchantgate and it is a short walk to the car park from the bus stops.

 Cost £12 (including a £2 donation to Heslington Church and a £5 donation to the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust)