Willow Farm Wood Nature Reserve

The site lies in farmland near to the village of Gregson Lane in the Borough of South Ribble, Lancashire. The Blackpool to Leeds railway line bisects it. It was formerly an area of semi-improved pasture, but was planted in 1993 with a mix of native broad-leaved tree and shrub species. This was accomplished thanks to funding from a Forestry Authority Woodland Grant Scheme. A portion of the grassland has not been planted and is being allowed to develop naturally. The plantation lies adjacent to an area of semi-natural, broad-leaved woodland in a steep-sided valley. This woodland is believed to be ancient and is consequently identified as a non-statutory Wildlife Site, but only a small portion of its slope (about 0.2ha) is owned by The Wildlife Trust: the rest is in private hands. There's also a rather derelict looking, old pond on site. This supports a nationally notable water beetle that thrives in such conditions, so the pond is being left in its neglected state!