A walk taking in the Lye Valley Nature Reserve offers the peace of the countryside between the Churchill Hospital and the Dene road area. Part of the Reserve is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The City Council owns part of the Reserve and manages the whole of it. The Council has recently spent £60,000 to renew the boardwalk through its part of the Valley to provide more inviting access.

The area is known for its variety of bird life including reed warblers, redwing, fieldfares, siskin, reed bunting, redpoll, long-tailed tit and the grey wagtail. Deer, moles and foxes also live here. As Lye Valley Councillor Ben observed: “All this- and hardly any mud on my shoes!” Pat has joined the Friends of Lye Valley — volunteers who help with maintenance of the Reserve.

More details on the Friends here and on the scientific interest of the site here.