Brockholes

Brockholes is a nature reserve beside the M6 motorway near Preston in Lancashire. It sits on the flood-plain of the river Ribble and contains the UK’s first floating visitor village. The site was once a large quarry, bought by the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside in 2007. After four years of work it opened to the public at Easter 2011. The land has been turned into pools, reedbeds and woodland that form new habitats. Himalayan balsam grows along the riverbank, and ferns steam in the damp air. The reserve is designed for general visitors rather than only experts. Over 250 acres of paths and hides wind through the landscape. More than 200 events take place each year, from guided walks to family activities. Rare birds such as osprey, otter and bittern have been seen here. Breeding wading birds have reached record numbers since the reserve opened. The floating visitor village was chosen after a competition run by RIBA Competitions. Adam Khan Architects and Price & Myers created the centre, which opened in 2011. Inside are a shop, exhibition area, school room, restaurant and conference space. The building won awards for sustainability and for commercial design. Visitors reach it by boardwalk over the water, where they can watch the changing light on the pools and woods.