Visit Gib Hill Nature Reserve
On this page you will find all the information you need to visit our wonderful nature reserve!
The footpaths on the Nature Reserve are very muddy pending improvements. Please wear suitable footwear – boots or wellies – when visiting.
Things to look out for in April
Anemone Nemorosa
Anemone nemorosa (syn. Anemonoides nemorosa), the wood anemone, is an early-spring flowering plant in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae, native to Europe.
Leaves: each leaf displays three visible lobes and the stalks are long. The leaves are basal, meaning they are in a rosette at the base of the plant.
Flowers: petals are white, with a pinkish tinge. Many distinct yellow anthers are visible.
If you spot any wildlife when visiting the nature reserve, please submit a wildlife sighting.
Photo attribution: Lilly M, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How to Find Us
Gib Hill Local Nature Reserve is within walking distance from much of Colne and Nelson, and access on foot is encouraged.
By Foot: The Main Entrance is at the end of Liddesdale Road. Pedestrian access is also available at the end of Gibfield Road and the end of Gib Hill Road, and via the public footpaths from Briercliffe Avenue and Wackersall Road.
By Public Transport: Bus Route 60 / 60A stops at Liddesdale Road. Alternatively it’s only a short walk up Gibfield Road from the Bus Stops on Burnley Road (ASDA). Train: Colne Railway Station is 1 mile away.
By Car: Car Parking is available only at the Liddesdale Road entrance on the Nelson side. (For Sat Nav use BB9 8LA). Please be considerate to residents and only use the marked spaces.
what3words location: ///hostels.lingering.cooked This what3words address refers to a 3 metre square location. Tap the link or enter the 3 words into the free what3words app to find it.
Visitor Information
Please note there are no lavatory facilities on the site. The footpaths on the Nature Reserve are very muddy pending improvements. Please wear suitable footwear – boots or wellies – when visiting.
Circular Walk
There is a circular walk through the Nature Reserve and up to the ancient hill fort at Castercliff. The route is approximately 3.6 km and takes around an hour.
Starting at the Liddesdale Road car park, following the gravel path into the nature reserve, then a gentle walk through the woods and small meadows of the reserve. Crossing the far edge of the golf course, the path then climbs up to the foot of Castercliff. It’s a bit of a climb to get onto the top of Castercliff, and this can be bypassed. Decend back down through the golf course and reserve back to the car park. Look out for vehicles on the way back down, the access road to Little Gib Hill Farm can be a hazard. Please note the ground can be muddy and walking boots are recommended.
If you click on the map below, it will take you to the Outdoor Active website which has further information about the walk.
