Brayton Barff

Brayton Barff is a popular ancient woodland, to the west of Selby. Site features includes mature Oak woodland, a Scots Pine plantation and a five-acre grassland area. There are also areas of young Oak trees, Silver Birch, Hawthorn, Holly and Hazel trees.

In spring, witness a carpet of bluebells throughout the ancient woodlands. It’s also a breeding habitat for the Goldcrest and Coal Tit, Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawks and Tawny Owls.

The Barff is a covered reservoir owned by Yorkshire Water and one of the few high spots in a flat landscape. Paths are undulating but not challenging and there is a rich variety of flora and fauna to be found.

The woodland surrounding the covered reservoir is frequently visited for recreational activities such as walking, admiring the scenery and bird watching. The undulating paths around the site are wide and well-surfaced, with no barriers to access for wheelchair and pushchair users such as steps and stiles. Climbing to the top of the hill offers visitors a rare viewpoint of the surrounding area, with its significant height relative to the miles and miles of flat land around it.