Bella Bear's Global Adventures from Sussex in the UK to the Amazon Rainforest and Madagascar
Lewes Railwayland Nature Reserve - A Very Special Place
In the middle of the bustling town of Lewes, on the edge of the River Ouse sits a very important piece of land. In the past this was the railway sidings for the nearby Lewes Railway Station from which the nature reserve gets its name. The land, which includes woodland, grazing meadow and grassland have been shaped by its past use, the Leighside house, fertile ash from the steam trains and the old rail workers allotment.
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The nature reserve also contains seveeral important freshwater habitats and is the reason why Bella is based at this site.
​The freshwater habitats are spread out across the Railway Land Nature Reserve
Freshwater habitats.
The Leighside pond is teaming with life from dragonflies and beetles to newts, sticklebacks and snails. Animals visit the pond to feed or drink, such as waterfowl, blackbirds and the occasional grass snake.
The Winterbourne chalk stream winds its way through reserve and flows into the river Ouse. It is fed by water which has filtered through the surrounding Downland hills. In times of heavy rain the stream swells and oveflows into the reserve protecting parts of the town from flooding
Chilly Brooks is also teeming with life including whirligig beetles, pond skaters and very vocal marsh frogs. Heron hunt on the shallow edges and waterfowl nest in the long grasses along the bank.
The Heart of Reeds was designed by Chris Drury. Not only is it the heart of the nature reserve, but the design also represents the blood flow through a cross section of the human heart. Reed warblers nest in this habitat
LINKLATER PAVILION
Thats not all that is special about the Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve. The Linklater Pavilion is an education centre to raise awareness about the reserve and the surrounding area.
Its hexagonal shape and its careful use of natural materials allows the centre to blend in with surroundings. It has a sedum roof which helps retain rainwater reducing the likelihood of flooding.
The roof also has photovoltaic cells which generate electricity for the centre.
The centre also uses ground source heating to heat the water.
The upstairs area can be divided into a variety of work spaces with upto date technology is complemented by the Undercroft designed as a classroom connected to the outside reserve and makes an idea base for exploring the reserve.
So I am sure you will agree that Lewes RailwayLand Nature Reserve is a very special place
Local Nature Reserves, are areas set aside for the purpose of preserving important natural habitats, animals, plants, or both. They help to conserve wildlife that is of local interest and importance.
Local Nature Reserves are places for people too. They can provide people with opportunities to get up close and study wildlife and habitats or to simply enjoy having contact with nature and the pleasure and enjoyment this can bring.
There are other benefits for people too such as wellbeing from being outside and enjoying the peace and tanquility of their surroundings.
For many people the local nature reserve may be the closest place they have for enjoying nature. Together LNR’s form a network of important protected areas across the UK
WHY ARE NATURE RESERVES IMPORTANT
